hi i have a 2007 senitor oklahoma and having a problem with its nose wight with gas bottles taken out of locker and but over wheels with awinig and have just got beding under front seats its still 100kg and my car is 85kg has any one had the same problem
nose wieght bailey senitor oklahoma
- Thread starter alan_374303306
- Start date
Hi Alan,
are you taking your nose weight measurements on a level surface,
I have 2006 series 5 460/4 Ranger,which is parked on a slope alongside my drive and when I first took my Nose weight readings they came out simular to yours, repositioning the van on a level surface, The nose weight came to just below 75 kg which is the weight limit on my towball, inside my front locker i have a 15kg Gas bottle and two Water Barrels.
In Baileys brochure which covers all models min 50kg max 100kg nose weights
Royston
are you taking your nose weight measurements on a level surface,
I have 2006 series 5 460/4 Ranger,which is parked on a slope alongside my drive and when I first took my Nose weight readings they came out simular to yours, repositioning the van on a level surface, The nose weight came to just below 75 kg which is the weight limit on my towball, inside my front locker i have a 15kg Gas bottle and two Water Barrels.
In Baileys brochure which covers all models min 50kg max 100kg nose weights
Royston
Hello alan,
Just to put a little more meat on the bones that Royston has given,
The nose weight must be measured with the caravan on level ground, The main wheels should be chocked, and the handbrake off.
And the tow hitch set at the same height from the ground as when it is coupled to the car.
Whilst the road surface may be level, the caravan may not be, that depends on how much the cars suspension gives when the caravan is hitched.
It is often not realised that the down force at the hitch changes depending on how high the hitch is. - its all to do with the turning moments created by the caravans centre of gravity's relative position to the main wheels.
To be legal, you must ensure that the caravan nose weight is no greater than the either the lower limit of the car or the caravan.
For safety (and legality) the gas bottle must be secured and transported in its cradle in the front locker. This has the required free ventilation both top and bottom to vent any spillage of gas.
To achieve the desired nose weight, move some of the other heavy items towards the rear of the caravan, the awning is a good start.
Just to put a little more meat on the bones that Royston has given,
The nose weight must be measured with the caravan on level ground, The main wheels should be chocked, and the handbrake off.
And the tow hitch set at the same height from the ground as when it is coupled to the car.
Whilst the road surface may be level, the caravan may not be, that depends on how much the cars suspension gives when the caravan is hitched.
It is often not realised that the down force at the hitch changes depending on how high the hitch is. - its all to do with the turning moments created by the caravans centre of gravity's relative position to the main wheels.
To be legal, you must ensure that the caravan nose weight is no greater than the either the lower limit of the car or the caravan.
For safety (and legality) the gas bottle must be secured and transported in its cradle in the front locker. This has the required free ventilation both top and bottom to vent any spillage of gas.
To achieve the desired nose weight, move some of the other heavy items towards the rear of the caravan, the awning is a good start.
Hi Alan, I own the same van and you are correct the Oklahoma is a nose heavy caravan. I discussed this with another Oklahoma owner on this forum several months ago. When we first bought the van I had to get down to 75kg, this could only be achieved by loading the awning etc under the fixed bed at the rear of the van. Placing so much weight towards the rear of the van did not sit comfortably with me but having towed over 3000 mile the outfit remained perfectly stable. Now towing with a Sorento so I can go up to the 100kg allowed on the alko hitch.
I have the Oklahoma and it goes against the grain to have to load up under the bed to get the noseweight down but that is what I have to do.
In an unladen state as when taken for a service the noseweight is over 100kg and the new vans being towed to dealerships must be in breach of the regs etc.
I have to remove items from the front locker for towing and carry them in the car
I always measure the noseweight with the van level etc
I think that I may go for a German van next time with their longer drawbar and enough leeway to carry a couple of bikes on the drawbar !!
In an unladen state as when taken for a service the noseweight is over 100kg and the new vans being towed to dealerships must be in breach of the regs etc.
I have to remove items from the front locker for towing and carry them in the car
I always measure the noseweight with the van level etc
I think that I may go for a German van next time with their longer drawbar and enough leeway to carry a couple of bikes on the drawbar !!
Without the spare wheel and the gas bottles in the front locker, my Knaus is almost perfectly balanced in equilibrium when empty.
Hi John, I can now live with loading to the rear of the van to achieve the desired noseweight as I have confidence the van will remain stable. I do feel for new caravanners trying to get round this problem though as the neccessary action goes against all advice. It is a good point you have raised that all factory delivered unladen Senators must be exceeding the 100kg on the Alko hitch. Viewed a new Series 6 Indiana today and Bailey have not looked at this problem as the bodyshell is the same as the Series 5.
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