Hi, has anyone got a jockey wheel with nose load gauge and how do they find it? Is it better to have a seperate nose load gauge? What do others think please
Nose load gauges
- Thread starter Christine_374240865
- Start date
Easiest solution is to use the bathroom scales and a suitable length of 2 inch X 2 inch timber. The caravan should be level when you do this. I bought a proper gauge but have strong doubts about its accuracy.
Hi Willy quote "I bought a proper gauge but have strong doubts about its accuracy".
Willy what do you think is the error + or - say 10 kg ???
Val & Frank
Willy what do you think is the error + or - say 10 kg ???
Val & Frank
I've got one of the yellow portable gauges that contract when the nose weight is lowered onto it. I measured the van nose weight using bathroom scales and got it to be as it should be. I then used the yellow gauge and put a mark on it indicating the correct weight. I then use the gauge whenever I set up.
Hello Christine,
Nose load questions seem to be the flavour of the moment. However here's my 10 penny's worth.
Firstly the nose loading is important because it can significantly affect the tow-ability of an outfit. Also there are definitive maximum limits on the load depending on your tow vehicle and caravan. Always check the limits with your manufacturer. Your limit will be lower of either the car or caravan manufactures stated limit. These have legal implications so do check.
Contrary to Willy's post, whenever measuring the nose load, it is important to realise that the height of the tow hitch above the ground affects the actual nose load. To correctly assess the load on your car, you must measure the height of the tow hitch when it is attached to your car. It is quite possible that the caravan will not be level. Most outfits actually assume a caravan nose down attitude when attached to the car.
For all types of measurement of nose load the following factors must be in place.
The caravan must be on a level surface.
The wheels should be chocked (for safety) and the handbrake off
The hitch should be at the same level as when it is attached to the car and loaded. (In most cases the caravan itself will not be level)
The nose load should be measured at the hitch its-self, and for most people the bathroom scales with a vertical prop are a pretty good indicator.
If the nose load is measured at the jockey wheel the reading will be different than the actual nose load, and this should be allowed for. As the jockey wheel is closer to the centre of turning (i.e. the main axle) compared to the tow hitch, the thrust at the jockey wheel will actually be greater than at the hitch. The difference is dependant on the design of the caravan. Your jockey wheel measuring instructions should tell you how to work the correction factor out and how to use it
Several previous correspondents to this forum has cast some doubt about the accuracy to the weight gauges. Not having had a proprietary model I cannot comment with any authority, but I do understand the issues.
Not withstanding the comments on absolute accuracy of the jockey wheel systems, the principle is sound - provided you have the correct correction factor and the gauge itself is accurate. However even without the correction factor, if the measurement at the jockey wheel stem is used and not corrected, then it will give an added margin of safety
Nose load questions seem to be the flavour of the moment. However here's my 10 penny's worth.
Firstly the nose loading is important because it can significantly affect the tow-ability of an outfit. Also there are definitive maximum limits on the load depending on your tow vehicle and caravan. Always check the limits with your manufacturer. Your limit will be lower of either the car or caravan manufactures stated limit. These have legal implications so do check.
Contrary to Willy's post, whenever measuring the nose load, it is important to realise that the height of the tow hitch above the ground affects the actual nose load. To correctly assess the load on your car, you must measure the height of the tow hitch when it is attached to your car. It is quite possible that the caravan will not be level. Most outfits actually assume a caravan nose down attitude when attached to the car.
For all types of measurement of nose load the following factors must be in place.
The caravan must be on a level surface.
The wheels should be chocked (for safety) and the handbrake off
The hitch should be at the same level as when it is attached to the car and loaded. (In most cases the caravan itself will not be level)
The nose load should be measured at the hitch its-self, and for most people the bathroom scales with a vertical prop are a pretty good indicator.
If the nose load is measured at the jockey wheel the reading will be different than the actual nose load, and this should be allowed for. As the jockey wheel is closer to the centre of turning (i.e. the main axle) compared to the tow hitch, the thrust at the jockey wheel will actually be greater than at the hitch. The difference is dependant on the design of the caravan. Your jockey wheel measuring instructions should tell you how to work the correction factor out and how to use it
Several previous correspondents to this forum has cast some doubt about the accuracy to the weight gauges. Not having had a proprietary model I cannot comment with any authority, but I do understand the issues.
Not withstanding the comments on absolute accuracy of the jockey wheel systems, the principle is sound - provided you have the correct correction factor and the gauge itself is accurate. However even without the correction factor, if the measurement at the jockey wheel stem is used and not corrected, then it will give an added margin of safety
Well put John
What you also need to take into account is that if you use the Alko jockey wheel gauge it will add weight to the nose which you don't want if you are trying to reduce noseweight
What you also need to take into account is that if you use the Alko jockey wheel gauge it will add weight to the nose which you don't want if you are trying to reduce noseweight
In reply to Frank and John L, the gauge I bought is totally unreliable. If I press down on the tow hitch when making a measurement and then release it, the guauge can be as much as 10 kg different. So I guess it's +/- 10 kg minimum. Useless - so I use the bathroom scales!
I agree completely with John re. the caravan tow hith being at its "as-towed" height, i.e. not necessarily level. I was over simplyfying when I said "level".
I agree completely with John re. the caravan tow hith being at its "as-towed" height, i.e. not necessarily level. I was over simplyfying when I said "level".
http://217.199.167.226/pdfs/Jockeywhelnoseloadgauge.pdf
Note weight of jockey wheel 9.8kg
One good feature seems to be a removeable wheel which would be good for boarding ferries etc
Note weight of jockey wheel 9.8kg
One good feature seems to be a removeable wheel which would be good for boarding ferries etc
really interested in John L's message. I always measure the noseweight of my van, but it has concerned me that my car has a tow ball lower than the level position of the caravan hitch. Johns suggestion of measuring nose weight at tow ball height makes sense, but every other article I have ever read states that the van must be level.
Whats the general consensus?
Whats the general consensus?
Hello Steve,
You appreciate that It is my view that the measurement should be made under conditions that mimic the actual outfit. This is for two main reasons.
Firstly, If you were to measure a trailers nose load with the trailer level, you will get one reading. Now as the angle of the trailer changes the actual load will change. Generally as the trailer pitches forward the nose load downwards force will increase, and vice-versa.
So if you are looking to achieve a 75Kg nose load weight limit under level conditions, when it is attached to the tow ball and it assumes a nose down attitude, then the load will have actually increased beyond 75Kg and you will not be legal.
The second reason for measuring at the working tow hitch height, is that it is actually quite difficult to establish a level trailer, what part should be level? It is much easier to measure the working height and to recreate it under measurement conditions.
I must acknowledge and add, that there are many other variables that will affect the measured nose load, including wind, humidity, how full of fuel and load the tow vehicle is, but in the overall scheme of things the nose height probably is the greatest single variable if all other things are equal.
You appreciate that It is my view that the measurement should be made under conditions that mimic the actual outfit. This is for two main reasons.
Firstly, If you were to measure a trailers nose load with the trailer level, you will get one reading. Now as the angle of the trailer changes the actual load will change. Generally as the trailer pitches forward the nose load downwards force will increase, and vice-versa.
So if you are looking to achieve a 75Kg nose load weight limit under level conditions, when it is attached to the tow ball and it assumes a nose down attitude, then the load will have actually increased beyond 75Kg and you will not be legal.
The second reason for measuring at the working tow hitch height, is that it is actually quite difficult to establish a level trailer, what part should be level? It is much easier to measure the working height and to recreate it under measurement conditions.
I must acknowledge and add, that there are many other variables that will affect the measured nose load, including wind, humidity, how full of fuel and load the tow vehicle is, but in the overall scheme of things the nose height probably is the greatest single variable if all other things are equal.
I measure my nosewight with the hitch at the height it would be when towing as recommended in several threads. But the weight can change by 15kg by the time I get to my destination.
I use bathroom scales. anyone got a theory?
I dont carry much in the caravan and it does not move so its not that.
Colin.
I use bathroom scales. anyone got a theory?
I dont carry much in the caravan and it does not move so its not that.
Colin.
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