Buckman said:
Why would you be deadly serious as our Milenco calibrated gauge is fairly accurate or are you just scaremongering? Rather use that than nothing at all and rely on guess work. If they were so bad why do the clubs recommend using them?
The fundamental method measurement of nose load requires the hitch to be at the same height as when it is coupled to the tow vehicle. Any measurement system that fails to observe that fundamental requirement does not measure the nose load.
Using a spring loaded nose weight gauge is better than nothing but it is not the correct way to measure. and the degree of error cannot be determined. The so called calibration of one manufacturers nose gauge only confirms that when it is loaded with a particular load it will give a consistent reading, it does not guarantee any convergence with the height of the tow hitch. This is particularly important with twin axle caravans where the rate of change of nose load with hitch height is very large.
You will get just as good if not better results from using bathroom scales and teh method I have given - without the cost of buying a piece of kit which actually does not do the job it is sold to do.
I am not aware of the clubs endorsing any particular make of gauge. If they are Then you should ask them to justify their endorsement.