Taking noseweight

[michael_374324390]

I have read the van has to be on level ground to measure noseweight. My caravan is parked in my drive which slopes up to the road, the road also slopes. Could I take a noseweight measurement by making sure the caravan itself was level,putting the scale under the nose and lifting the jockey wheel, or are my physics hopeless!!

 

[Lutz]

What is important is that the caravan has the same attitude when measuring noseweight as when it is hitched up to the car on level ground. If the caravan is level then, then the noseweight should measure with the caravan level even if the drive slopes. If the caravan is nose down, then it should be measured with the same nose down attitude as if it were on level ground. If it's nose up, obviously the opposite applies.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Michael,

As Lutz says one of the key features is that the caravan must be in the same attitude as when it is coupled to the towing vehicle as if on level ground. This is because the centre of gravity of the caravan is usually above and just forward of the point of contact with the road under the main wheels. If the caravan changes its attitude, the CoG moves in relation to the point of contact, and the resultant force at the tow hitch changes.

If you can only take measurements on a slope, you need to ensure that the caravan does retain it same attitude relative to the horizontal as when towing, and the, and measurement device is vertical under the tow hitch.

 

[michael_374324390]

Hello Michael,

As Lutz says one of the key features is that the caravan must be in the same attitude as when it is coupled to the towing vehicle as if on level ground. This is because the centre of gravity of the caravan is usually above and just forward of the point of contact with the road under the main wheels. If the caravan changes its attitude, the CoG moves in relation to the point of contact, and the resultant force at the tow hitch changes.

If you can only take measurements on a slope, you need to ensure that the caravan does retain it same attitude relative to the horizontal as when towing, and the, and measurement device is vertical under the tow hitch.

Thanks for info

M