Nose gauge & weight distribution problems

[Danddandy]

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.

I'm not sure bathroom scales are more accurate. I don't remember seeing any proof of tolerance or standards the last time I bought bathroom scales. . But I do prefer to weigh myself when staying at my son's house.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Mel this caravan we are getting has onboard fresh water tank and onboard waste water tank that going to be fun .

BB

How will you empty the fixed waste tank if on a seasonal? The motorhome waste stations are not all drive in drive out. Will this be a problem for you on a seasonal? I assumed your pitch would be FSP?

 

[GUMPY]

I'm not sure bathroom scales are more accurate.

My wife and I are convinced that our bathroom scales read high😉

 

[otherclive]

I'm not sure bathroom scales are more accurate. I don't remember seeing any proof of tolerance or standards the last time I bought bathroom scales. . But I do prefer to weigh myself when staying at my son's house.

I’ve used bathroom scales to weigh luggage for airline check in and found them to be within 1kg of my luggage allowance of 20-23kg. I used them when I first loaded a new caravan then checked their reading against a Milenco “Calibrated” (sic) noseweight gauge and at around 80 kg target noseweight there was only 5kg maximum variation. So near enough. After that I used the noseweight gauge as I had effectively “calibrated” it.

 

[Danddandy]

I’ve used bathroom scales to weigh luggage for airline check in and found them to be within 1kg of my luggage allowance of 20-23kg. I used them when I first loaded a new caravan then checked their reading against a Milenco “Calibrated” (sic) noseweight gauge and at around 80 kg target noseweight there was only 5kg maximum variation. So near enough. After that I used the noseweight gauge as I had effectively “calibrated” it.

So that's a 5+% tolerance. . I think it's all relative. Bathroom scales, noseweight gauges: If you're somewhere near that's good enough for me.

 

[Lutz]

I have yet to come across an official weight check where one has made an issue of only 20kg. Generally they are out to catch offenders who are way over the limit and where it has been exceeded to the point where the outfit is in an obviously dangerous condition. In the case of a minor transgression, they will just ask to transfer the excess load into the towing vehicle (assuming that isn't overloaded, too).

 

[otherclive]

So that's a 5+% tolerance. . I think it's all relative. Bathroom scales, noseweight gauges: If you're somewhere near that's good enough for me.

Better than 5% as I don’t weigh the suitcase on its own on the bathroom scales. I weigh myself, then myself holding the suitcase. Deduct the former from the latter. If the difference is less than 22.5 kg I’m okay for check in.

 

[Beachball]

BB

How will you empty the fixed waste tank if on a seasonal? The motorhome waste stations are not all drive in drive out. Will this be a problem for you on a seasonal? I assumed your pitch would be FSP?

Hi Dusty all it says there is onboard waste water tank in this caravan I hoping you can empty it down the drain it is FSP .

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Dusty all it says there is onboard waste water tank in this caravan I hoping you can empty it down the drain it is FSP .

Maybe it is optional in usage? A direct waste perhaps or attach a waste pipe to the tank outlet pipe?

 

[Beachball]

Maybe it is optional in usage? A direct waste perhaps or attach a waste pipe to the tank outlet pipe?

I will look when the caravan delivered to our seasonal serviced pitch that be a week tomorrow and we are stopping to try it out for a few nights .but thanks for your input 🙏

 

[Buckman]

A few kilos one way or the other should not be a concern. On our previous Lunar the most comfortable tow was at about 110kg or 10kg over the tow hitch limit. This was about 5% of the MTPLM. I do not advise doing this even though our car was capable of 150kg load on the towball. We had a twin axle.

I am not sure of the layout of your caravan, but is it possible to have the awning etc immediately behind the centre axle instead of over the axle? I am sure that I have read somewhere that even empty the Baily had a high nose weight?

 

[Hutch]

Hi Dusty all it says there is onboard waste water tank in this caravan I hoping you can empty it down the drain it is FSP .

I will look when the caravan delivered to our seasonal serviced pitch that be a week tomorrow and we are stopping to try it out for a few nights .but thanks for your input 🙏

What caravan. Have you bought,never heard of one having an onboard waste tank.
Are you sure the van hasn't got an engine and Captains chairs at one end. 🤔

 

[Buckman]

I have yet to come across an official weight check where one has made an issue of only 20kg. Generally they are out to catch offenders who are way over the limit and where it has been exceeded to the point where the outfit is in an obviously dangerous condition. In the case of a minor transgression, they will just ask to transfer the excess load into the towing vehicle (assuming that isn't overloaded, too).

If the tow bar can accommodate a tow ball weight of, for example150kg, and the nose weight of the caravan is 120kg, is an offence being committed as I don't think there is any legislation governing the trailer nose weight? By trailer I means those that are not2 commercial. The offence relates to exceeding the load on the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

 

[Lutz]

If the tow bar can accommodate a tow ball weight of, for example150kg, and the nose weight of the caravan is 120kg, is an offence being committed as I don't think there is any legislation governing the trailer nose weight? By trailer I means those that are not2 commercial. The offence relates to exceeding the load on the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

Yes, the fact that the noseweight limit is exceeded is not, in itself an offence. It is only a limit for which the manufacturer will accept product liability. However, as you rightly surmise, exceeding the noseweight limit would almost inevitably result in the rear axle load limit being exceeded, too, and that is an offence.

 

[Lutz]

What caravan. Have you bought,never heard of one having an onboard waste tank.
Are you sure the van hasn't got an engine and Captains chairs at one end. 🤔

The Knaus caravan that I once bought had a factory-fitted onboard waste water tank.

 

[Buckman]

Yes, the fact that the noseweight limit is exceeded is not, in itself an offence. It is only a limit for which the manufacturer will accept product liability. However, as you rightly surmise, exceeding the noseweight limit would almost inevitably result in the rear axle load limit being exceeded, too, and that is an offence.

That depends on the tow bar rating for the offence to be committed as the tow bar rating will be linked to the maximum load on the rear axle or so I have been told. The Jeep tow bar was rated at 175kg so if towing a caravan where the caravan nose weight was 130kg or 30kg over the hitch specification, weirdly no offence is being committed. However as said not a good idea to push your luck

 

[otherclive]

That depends on the tow bar rating for the offence to be committed as the tow bar rating will be linked to the maximum load on the rear axle or so I have been told. The Jeep tow bar was rated at 175kg so if towing a caravan where the caravan nose weight was 130kg or 30kg over the hitch specification, weirdly no offence is being committed. However as said not a good idea to push your luck

I don’t see that. My Foresters had a towbar nose load of 80 kg. Yet that didn’t go anywhere near exceeding a rear axle load. Not towing tge car could accommodate three rear passengers and luggage. Far more than the towbar 80 kg nose weight would impose.

 

[Buckman]

I don’t see that. My Foresters had a towbar nose load of 80 kg. Yet that didn’t go anywhere near exceeding a rear axle load. Not towing tge car could accommodate three rear passengers and luggage. Far more than the towbar 80 kg nose weight would impose.

I think the limit has something to do with gross maximum of weight of the car? Only going by what I was told.

 

[Lutz]

I think the limit has something to do with gross maximum of weight of the car? Only going by what I was told.

Of course, the noseweight counts towards the overall weight of the car. Exceeding the noseweight limit could therefore mean that both the rear axle load limit and the max. gross vehicle weight are exceeded, too.

 

[laurenmcsporen]

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.

Hi Theresa, im new to this group, so apologise for the late reply. I too have a Bailey Cabrera (2022) and sadly they are incredibly nose heavy. I put all our heavy stuff under the bed at the back & towards the axel in the middle & our nose weight is now 90k. We have a fiamma f45s wind out awning attached to the van, but the optional sides go in the car. We tow with a BMW X5 and have no issues with stability. Infact it tows perfectly well.

 

[Hutch]

Has anyone used or seen one of these Royal, nose weight scales. Adjustable height,
Royal gauge

 

[otherclive]

Interesting, looks a bit like a hybrid of Dustys gauge and a Milenco plus the adjustable element. I’d have been prepared to use one, once I’d calibrated it with my bathroom scales.

Beware incoming 🙈

 

[Dustydog]

If the Reich works and we have moved to techie stuff I don’t see why it shouldn’t work. The question may be how long will it last in accurate mode🤪

 

[ProfJohnL]

This is the first nose load gauge I have seen that is commercially available that offers height adjustment. It also seems to offer a digital readout which will use a load beam measuring systems, which should offer more consistent accuracy and ease of reading.

From these two perspectives alone it gives me more hope of real repeatable nose load measurements at a reasonable price.

I have no connection with this product.

 

[Buckman]

As long as the nose weight is reasonably accurate, there is no concern. After all when travelling the nose weight could probably fluctuate between zero and +200kg.