Hi all I’m a newbie & could really do with some advice guidance regarding nose weight. I can’t seem to reduce the nose weight to the required rate … I’ve emptied all cupboards & anything heavy I’ve put over the axle on floor..ive no awning & am carrying nothing but the bare essentials but the nose weight is still going over 100kg . I’ve also tried weighing down the rear end but this made no difference to nose weight. I’m using a new gauge but this is my first time doing any of this & im trying to prepare for my first outing . Any help would be gladly received.
Nose gauge & weight distribution problems
- Thread starter TheresaS
- Start date
- Jul 18, 2017
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What brand of gauge are you using as it took be the gauge giving you the incorrect reading? Cheap ones do not work very well. Also brand and model of the caravan may help you get a better answer as all caravans differ,. Avoid loading at the rear as you may get the effect of the tail wagging the dog which is not pleasant.
- Nov 11, 2009
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My last caravan was nose heavy and so I only carried minimum essential stuff in the gas locker and only one 6 kilo propane cylinder. Nothing in the front under bed lockers, or on the frontseats or floor space either, most other stuff went over the axle or towards the rear, including some fluid in the cassette and flush tank. My tool bag also went to the rear. It took a while to get it right but it towed very well, but overall the caravan MTPLM was 1300kg with a tow car at kerbweight 1740 kg but obviously loaded above its kerbweight.
PS my Sprite also had its spare wheel mounted in the front locker. On other vans I’ve carried the spare wheel just inside of the door. Didn’t need to do that with the Sprite. But it may be an option.
PS my Sprite also had its spare wheel mounted in the front locker. On other vans I’ve carried the spare wheel just inside of the door. Didn’t need to do that with the Sprite. But it may be an option.
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Mel
Moderator
- Mar 17, 2007
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Do you have onboard water tanks. Make sure that these are empty. One gas bottle is often plenty so don’t take two unless you are touring abroad or on an extended winter trip in the midddle of nowhere.
If we are not taking an I awning find that a boxes of tinned goods, bottles , clothes and bedding is sufficient to balance our nose heavy van? They need to be loaded just rear of the axle not right at the back.
What van do you have and what’s the layout?
Mel
If we are not taking an I awning find that a boxes of tinned goods, bottles , clothes and bedding is sufficient to balance our nose heavy van? They need to be loaded just rear of the axle not right at the back.
What van do you have and what’s the layout?
Mel
Thank you for all these replies 🙏
I’ve emptied all water tanks & toilet. Im carrying 2x6kg bottles 1 nearly empty..I’ve got a Bailey Cabrera . My gauge is new from camping &gen I called them to see if the gauge was the problem they said the make was usually reliable Liberty Leisure…im going to buy a milenco gauge to see if it differs. Thanks for the advice about not overloading the back bedroom. I’m emptying everything out of van today & do reading with new gauge with van empty then go from there.
Thank you all so much for your help.
Yea tanks & toilet all empty. 2 x6kg bottles 1 nearly empty. I’m pulling a Bailey Cabrera .
- Jun 20, 2005
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Welcome to the Forum Theresa.
Mel and Buckman have asked some important questions. Arme£ with your answers we can all offer more help.
A lot of new caravans are nose heavy when they leave the factory.
A twin axle will be different from a single axle.
The basics I think you know , ie keep all heavy items as low as possible.
Ensure the caravan is on level ground for measuring the nose load.
Look forward to seeing your reply
Just seen your latest' crossed with this.
A lot of market gauges are spring loaded and can be variable in their readings
If you have an accurate set of bathroom scales I suggest you use them.
Use a pile of newspapers or magazines on top of the scales , placed directly under the hitch ensuring the caravan is level.
This will give you an accurate reading. You can then try moving things around internally keeping the heavy things near the axle.
Remember to include everything you normally take away so you can adjust with a full load.
Good luck. BTW your gas cylinders are mid mounted I think?That should help
Mel and Buckman have asked some important questions. Arme£ with your answers we can all offer more help.
A lot of new caravans are nose heavy when they leave the factory.
A twin axle will be different from a single axle.
The basics I think you know , ie keep all heavy items as low as possible.
Ensure the caravan is on level ground for measuring the nose load.
Look forward to seeing your reply
Just seen your latest' crossed with this.
A lot of market gauges are spring loaded and can be variable in their readings
If you have an accurate set of bathroom scales I suggest you use them.
Use a pile of newspapers or magazines on top of the scales , placed directly under the hitch ensuring the caravan is level.
This will give you an accurate reading. You can then try moving things around internally keeping the heavy things near the axle.
Remember to include everything you normally take away so you can adjust with a full load.
Good luck. BTW your gas cylinders are mid mounted I think?That should help
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I doubted my nose weight gauge so I double checked with bathroom scales and a stick, turns out the gauge is bang on.
My van is 1350 kg and the nose weight should be 90, if I get it right it pulls like a balloon on a string but if I go over it pitches badly so I always check it and work to get it right I have found that it really does make a difference. I found that even the OHs clothes in the top lockers could make a difference. As said put as much over or just behind the axle as you can after all that is usually where the fridge and oven is.
just saying!
My van is 1350 kg and the nose weight should be 90, if I get it right it pulls like a balloon on a string but if I go over it pitches badly so I always check it and work to get it right I have found that it really does make a difference. I found that even the OHs clothes in the top lockers could make a difference. As said put as much over or just behind the axle as you can after all that is usually where the fridge and oven is.
just saying!
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