Are the noseweights of caravans calculated with two 6kg gas bottles in the front locker, this weight comes to approx 30kgs when including the tearweight of the bottles.
noseweights
- Thread starter peter_374410740
- Start date
Hello Peter,
Further to Damian's reply elsewhere, caravan nose weights are not calculated per say, after all the caravan manufacture does not know what the customer is going to put in the caravan.
Just in case it is not obvious, a caravan is like a see-saw, and the nose weight is generated by the resolution of turning moments from the construction of the caravan and all the bits and pieces the owner puts in it.
Some manufactures will quote an ex works nose weight, but that is of no real value to the caravanner, for two reasons, firstly the height of the hitch needs to be quoted as nose load varies depending on the vertical height of the hitch, and any thing added to the caravan will have some effect on the weight distribution and thus the nose weight.
It's perhaps obvious, but if you have a heavy nose load, to reduce it you need to cause the caravans centre of gravity to move rearwards. This is achieved either by taking something heavy away from the front of the caravan, or adding mass to the rear to counterbalance the nose, or a combination of the two.
What it boils down to is the driver is responsible for, and must check the nose weight and to keep it within the limitations of the car and caravan chassis's
Further to Damian's reply elsewhere, caravan nose weights are not calculated per say, after all the caravan manufacture does not know what the customer is going to put in the caravan.
Just in case it is not obvious, a caravan is like a see-saw, and the nose weight is generated by the resolution of turning moments from the construction of the caravan and all the bits and pieces the owner puts in it.
Some manufactures will quote an ex works nose weight, but that is of no real value to the caravanner, for two reasons, firstly the height of the hitch needs to be quoted as nose load varies depending on the vertical height of the hitch, and any thing added to the caravan will have some effect on the weight distribution and thus the nose weight.
It's perhaps obvious, but if you have a heavy nose load, to reduce it you need to cause the caravans centre of gravity to move rearwards. This is achieved either by taking something heavy away from the front of the caravan, or adding mass to the rear to counterbalance the nose, or a combination of the two.
What it boils down to is the driver is responsible for, and must check the nose weight and to keep it within the limitations of the car and caravan chassis's
"after all the caravan manufacture does not know what the customer is going to put in the caravan."
the designer/draughtsperson does actually have a pretty good idea of whats going in the van, for instance gas cyliders in the front locker that is designed to take gas cylinders, a battery in the battery locker that is designed to take a battery.
The manufacturer could then determine the nose weight based on average values and layouts,asnd quote this figure in the handbook , its quite easy to do.
the designer/draughtsperson does actually have a pretty good idea of whats going in the van, for instance gas cyliders in the front locker that is designed to take gas cylinders, a battery in the battery locker that is designed to take a battery.
The manufacturer could then determine the nose weight based on average values and layouts,asnd quote this figure in the handbook , its quite easy to do.
Hello Phil,
Yes I am sure that manufactures do have a fair idea of what people will put in their caravans, but they don't know exactly where these items will be put, and as we know a few Kg or over there will make a significant difference to the nose weight. Which gas bottles, and how many etc? There are too many variable over which the manufacture cannot legislate, and if they did publish a nose weight figure based on assumptions they would be proven wrong almost every time.
The manufacture can only publish a range for the nose weight, with the lower limit based on 4% of the MIRO and the maximum the chassis is designed for.
It is still the drivers responsibility to ensure the out fit is road legal.
Yes I am sure that manufactures do have a fair idea of what people will put in their caravans, but they don't know exactly where these items will be put, and as we know a few Kg or over there will make a significant difference to the nose weight. Which gas bottles, and how many etc? There are too many variable over which the manufacture cannot legislate, and if they did publish a nose weight figure based on assumptions they would be proven wrong almost every time.
The manufacture can only publish a range for the nose weight, with the lower limit based on 4% of the MIRO and the maximum the chassis is designed for.
It is still the drivers responsibility to ensure the out fit is road legal.
i agree its still our responsibility but this "burden" could be lessened by careful and thoughtful initial design by the manufacturers.
Hello Phil
I do agree that some manufactures do not seem to produce some caravans with rather heavy ex-works nose weights, and this does not help the customer, but the reality is that most people load their caravan differently which will produce a wide variety of untrimmed nose loads.
As the only sure way checking the nose load is to measure it, consequently there is no value in giving an average nose load figure based on a standard set of equipment.
The driver cannot abdicate their responsibility for the road worthiness of the outfit, so they must do the necessary checks, or have specific procedures that guarantee compliance.
I do agree that some manufactures do not seem to produce some caravans with rather heavy ex-works nose weights, and this does not help the customer, but the reality is that most people load their caravan differently which will produce a wide variety of untrimmed nose loads.
As the only sure way checking the nose load is to measure it, consequently there is no value in giving an average nose load figure based on a standard set of equipment.
The driver cannot abdicate their responsibility for the road worthiness of the outfit, so they must do the necessary checks, or have specific procedures that guarantee compliance.
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