Mondeo + Pegasus Noseweight question

[Jonathan_374582638]

Hi Guys,

Been looking and these forums and finding lost of useful information for people who are new to Caravanning so thanks for that.

I've been doing some calculations and as I understand it ideally the noseweight of the caravan should 7% of its weight. That would equate to in the Pegasus caravan I would be pulling around 88kgs assuming it wasn't loaded. So with the limit for my Mondeo being 75kg I'm guessing I'd have to go with 75. In that instance will I have problems towing?

I've not taken the caravan out yet and I'm just trying to understand what I should expect and whether towing under these circumstances would be safe?

Any help you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Lutz]

Most modern outfits will tow well at the manufacturer's noseweight limit. The 7% formula is a bit anachronistic as it originated at a time when manufacturers' limits weren't specified and caravans were, on the whole, lighter than today.

 

[TD42]

The reccomended nose weight for a caravan is 7% of the MTPLM,& is a recomendation,as is the 85% ratio between the kerbweight of a car & the MTPLM of the caravan.

the Legal requirment for the noseweight of the caravan is 4%of the MTPLM or (I think)25kg minimum.How ever the caravan noseweight must not exceed the recomended noseweight of the towcar.(usualy about 75kg unless you have a 4x4).OR exceed the max allowed hitch load of the caravan(ALKO 100kg)

hope this helps

 

[david_374531985]

hi jonathan i have the mondeo 2.0 zetec tdci and the nose weght in the specification on my model is 90kg regards dave

 

[Jonathan_374582638]

Thanks all. Sounds like I'm good to go!

 

[xtrailman]

only the latest mondaos have a limit of 90kg? earlier models were 75kg.

When i towed with normal hatchbacks, although the nose limit was 75kg i often found 65kg was better as the back of the car drpped less, also i always fitted doenuts to the rear springs.

However the caravans back then were probably lighter, say less than 1200kg, so i would go as close to your nose limit with out dropping the rear of the car too much.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi TD42

What a good concise answer - well done.