Noseweights

[Fubar]

Hi

could anyone give me some advice on the importance of noseweights please?

I am looking at an Eriba which falls into all my categories, but the noseweight of the caravan is 75Kgs and the noseweight of my car is 65Kgs.

how important is that going to be if I get the other weights right??

any advice gratefully received.

Mark (",)

 

[Lutz]

Adequate noseweight is vital to achieve a stable outfit. However, the limit to how high you can go is determined by the maximum permissible figures specified by the car and caravan manufacturers respectively and these have legal significance. If the caravan allows 75kg but the car only 65kg, then the lower of the two figures applies. Otherwise you would be exceeding the legal limit for the car.

 

[Fubar]

So I would have to make sure that the noseweight of the caravan is no higher than 65Kgs before towing?

If so, can anyone recommend an adequate measure - I seem to have seen a lot about inaccurate measuring devices and "home-made" solutions, i.e. bathroom scales!

cheers

 

[Lutz]

Yes, in your case, 65kg is the limit.

The accuracy of the measurement depends a lot on the correct attitude of the caravan when the noseweight is being measured. Raising or lowering the coupling can make a big difference to the reading. Therefore, to be absolutely correct, you should take note of the height of the coupling from the ground when the caravan is hooked up to the car. If you take care to measure the noseweight at the same height, there's no reason why the bathroom scales should be unsuitable. You'd just have to make sure that that the length of the support you are using between the scales and the coupling ensures the proper coupling height.

 

[Fubar]

Yes, in your case, 65kg is the limit.

The accuracy of the measurement depends a lot on the correct attitude of the caravan when the noseweight is being measured. Raising or lowering the coupling can make a big difference to the reading. Therefore, to be absolutely correct, you should take note of the height of the coupling from the ground when the caravan is hooked up to the car. If you take care to measure the noseweight at the same height, there's no reason why the bathroom scales should be unsuitable. You'd just have to make sure that that the length of the support you are using between the scales and the coupling ensures the proper coupling height.

Thanks Lutz, I appreciate you taking the time to explain.

I'm going to an Eriba dealership tonight to have a look, so will see what they have to say! just like to be armed with all the facts first.

thanks again.

Mark

 

[Jim.M_5040716]

Hi Mark

To check the noseweight, which method is not important, only that the van must be level and supported only on the jockey wheel, the measusring device must be placed under the hitch, then the jockey wheel raised clear of the ground, the corect weight can be achieved by moving heavy kit back or forwards as ness. in your case 65kg

Jim M

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jim.M

Perhapse you made a typing error, but the method you use to measure nose weight is very important. It is quite easy to register the wrong load and that could render you illegal.

There are two schools of thought, those that say the caravan should be level, and those that say it should be at the same height as the cars tow ball when hitched. Actually both should be the same as the tow car should not be loaded such that it dips too much.

Which ever you choose. it is important that the support used to steady the caravan hitch must:

A, be located at the same point as the tow ball would be, and

B, the support must be vertical.

 

[chris_5068897]

Hello Jim.M

Perhapse you made a typing error, but the method you use to measure nose weight is very important. It is quite easy to register the wrong load and that could render you illegal.

There are two schools of thought, those that say the caravan should be level, and those that say it should be at the same height as the cars tow ball when hitched. Actually both should be the same as the tow car should not be loaded such that it dips too much.

Which ever you choose. it is important that the support used to steady the caravan hitch must:

A, be located at the same point as the tow ball would be, and

B, the support must be vertical.

To add to Lutz words:Measure the height of the hitch from the ground with the whole outfit laden as if going away. Unhitch and lower onto (caravan) gauge. Re measure the hitch height. Now pack the gauge from the ground with suitable wood so that the original laden hitch height is achieved. Now take the reading.

You may need to move some things about but always keep heavier weight near the axle. Bear in mind also that noseweight counts as part of the load on the rear axle of the car, and must therefore be subtracted from the car manufacturers luggage allowance for the boot. The car handbook should provide guidance.

 

[Lutz]

By design, the caravan is nominally slightly nose down. When the caravan is standing level, the coupling head should be 430 +/- 35mm high. As the standard height of the towball is 385 +/- 35mm (all figures are valid for the maximum laden condition only), chances are that the caravan will not be level when hitched up. However, it's the actual noseweight that counts by law. Consequently, to be absolutely correct, adjustments have to be made when determining the noseweight at the correct height.

 

[rob_jax]

Mark,

There is a real difference between the maximum nose weight an the actual nose weight.

We have a 2005 model year Triton 410, with a posted maximum nose weight of 75 kg.

However, with a calor gas (and a camping gaz) gas bottle in the locker, and all the other stuff we seem to take stowed away, we have an actual nosewight of around 10 kg to 15 kg (not measured but since I can easily lift the tow hook with one hand it can't be too heavy).

If fact with nothing in the Triton 410 at all, the van almost balances on the wheels.

A friends Triton 420, which has a slightly different internal layout compared to the 410, has an actual noseweight of around 30kg.

Whatever Eriba you buy, they all tow well, the aerodynamic design means you get good fuel comsumption, and the July 2005 Caravan Club quality and reliability survey told everyone what Eriba owners already new - they are number one.

Robert

 

[Lutz]

There is also a lower legal limit for the noseweight: 4% of the weight of the trailer or at least 25kg.

 

[RichardW1]

Whats the recomended % of noseweight to caravan weight so i can work out my vans noseweight. Richard W

 

[Lutz]

Basically, the higher the noseweight, the better the stability of the outfit. I would therefore avoid using any percentage formula. However, legal maximum permissible limits must be observed, too. For optimum stability I would therefore advise setting the noseweight so that it is as close as possible to but not exceeding the lower of the 2 max. permissible values specified by the manufacturers for the car and caravan, respectively.

 

[Fubar]

Thanks everyone for the information, very helpful.

no doubt I'll be looking for more help once I actually pick my caravan up!

cheers

Mark (",)