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
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- 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
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- 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!
- Mar 14, 2005
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- Mar 14, 2005
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The method you have described will not give you an "accurate" reading. There are three significant deviations from the official method of determining the accurate nose load:
1 Whilst bathroom scales will probably be both more precise and accurate than most compression spring so called nose load gauges, they can only be classified as Accurate if they have been formally calibrated. Admittedly in the grand scheme of things probably not really necessary.
2. The official methods of determining nose load do call for the process to be carried out on level ground, they do not specify the caravan has to be level. In fact it probably wont be level when its hitched to the tow vehicle, The angle of the caravan to the horizontal does affect the applied nose load.
3 It is important to match the hitch height to its real towing height, so having some means of adjusting the height of the gauge is important. If using bathroom scales, the scales should be raised up so the measurement device is supporting the hitch. If you use magazines to set the level, put them under the scales not on top.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Professionally I have towed a vast array of different trailers including caravans, many of then brand new and empty, and especially with caravans we always carried plastic water containers and bungee straps so we can trim the caravan for nose load. I never came across a caravan that I couldn't achieve a sensible nose load on the tow vehicle.
It always a matter of moving the load items for or aft to adjust the caravans centre of mass in relation to the road axle(s). If you have too much nose load you need to adjust the centre of mass towards the rear of the caravan, by repositioning items or in extreme cases by adding more mass towards the rear of the trailer. Always being aware of the need to keep within the trailer maximum weight limits.
- Nov 11, 2009
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The OP hasn’t mentioned 90kg, she only mentioned it was still going over 100kg no matter what she did. A later post by another member did state 90 kg but only in relation to their outfit.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Not if you have them empty for measuring your noseweight and towing. After all water in the tanks reduces what else you can carry.Hi Mel this caravan we are getting has onboard fresh water tank and onboard waste water tank that going to be fun .
- Jan 3, 2012
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Hi Clive in my case I think it be fine because it going onto a Seasonal hardstanding pitch and I am not towing .🙏
- Jul 18, 2017
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- Jul 18, 2017
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Why would it be fun if you are not towing? Enjoyable to have and a very definite yes, but in this case the OP is towing and not on a seasonal site like yourselves.Hi Mel this caravan we are getting has onboard fresh water tank and onboard waste water tank that going to be fun .
- Nov 11, 2009
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Because I never had two tanks before one yes that why I mention it 🙏Why would it be fun if you are not towing? Enjoyable to have and a very definite yes, but in this case the OP is towing and not on a seasonal site like yourselves.
- Jul 18, 2017
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- Jun 20, 2005
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Hello Prof
I’m surprised at your comments. If I have given wrongful inaccurate advice then it is time I hung up my lead and left this Forum.
1. We are not dealing with rocket science. We have used Reich electronic , Milenco spring and bathroom scales as nose load gauges. All have been within 1kg bar the Milenco which could change range with the slightest touch.
What “calibrated” gauge do you suggest for the OP?
2. For me and indeed others, measuring the nose load , it is recommended the caravan is on level ,even ground , and itself level. I agree the angle to the horizontal shouldn’t make much difference but being level is still the best starting place.
Most units I see on site these days sit pretty well level when hitched. Heavy nose down for example are not a common site today. In fact such an attitude may be indicative of other problems.
3.We have done this to death over the years. Where the magazines or other support goes should not make any difference. You will recall our own Gagakev and Sproket, both competent Engineers set the scene with this. The scales sit on the level ground and the hitch sits on the “ball”.
Apologies when I said 90 kg of course I meant 80
thats what you get for not checking what you have put, sorry
thats what you get for not checking what you have put, sorry
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