Hi Prof I’m still wondering what the polythene bag is for? Is it what you bring some sandwiches along in because you’ll need some sustenance due to the long drawn out job of measuring the nose weight?
I did measure it with a guage from Go outdoors.But on my next visit to the storage yard.I will compare readings using your method.I measured my jockey wheel diameter at 230mm.Would a smaller wheel give me the clearence i need?
ProfJohnL said:
Have we missed the point?
The OP says his vehicle on the level , unhitched gives a tow ball height of 345 which is outside the EU figures.
Nose load cannot be anything to do with his question. Clearly either the tow bar assembly is faulty or his suspension needs some attention.
The OP says his vehicle on the level , unhitched gives a tow ball height of 345 which is outside the EU figures.
Nose load cannot be anything to do with his question. Clearly either the tow bar assembly is faulty or his suspension needs some attention.
Dustydog said:
No Dusty, you haven't missed the point,
LG tells us his unloaded tow ball is that low, then as you say its outside of the Eu regulations. and the reason why does need to discovered. But LG also states he was having trouble getting his nose load low enough, which suggest he may still overloaded, so he needs to know how to measure nose load, and what he can do to reduce excess nose load bearing in mind he tells us the spare wheel is presently in the gas locker.
My front locker just contains 1x 3.9 kg Propane.1x 6kg propane and the spare wheel.My JW diameter is 230mm.Ive seen some after market replacement wheels that are 165mm.Would that give me a bit more clearence? The tow bar was on the car when i bought it,but i believe it to be fitted correctly.The car has passed its mot recently,and no defects were found,regarding the suspension.
ProfJohnL said:
Not at the moment im afraid.The caravans storage site is 25 miles away from my home.Next time i hitch up .I will take a pic.
Kevin2306 said:
I don't think it has been mentioned, but the Jockey Wheel forks may not have been in the notch to prevent the wheel from moving while raised - may have caused it to sit too low. https://unitrailer.co.uk/eng_pl_Jockey-wheel-with-a-scale-AL-KO-up-to-300-kg-389_2.jpg
I will have to check that out.Being a newbie i may have done what you have suggested.Cheers for that,i will have to check that.
CustardAvenger said:
LG57-UPS. said:
Hello LG,
Two gas bottles and a spare wheel in the front locker is certainly quite a lot of weight, so if you are struggling to reduce your nose load do consider moving the spare wheel to inside the caravan whilst travelling. DOnt forget the caravan is just like a see saw, and if you remove 10kg wheel from teh front locker the nose load goes down by nearly 10kg, and if you relocate it behind the axle by the same distance it was in front, you will reduce your nose load by a further equal amount, A spare tyre in a dustbin bag can sit on the floor of the or in a seat locker provided its secured to stop it buncing around when traveling.
Please note :- Gas bottles must only be carried in properly designed locations provided they are securely held upright in a ventilated space.
I didnt realise that just those 3 things could be considered overly heavy.The gas bottles are fitted in the proper locations designated by the manufacturer along with the spare wheel to
n my next trip i will put the spare wheel in a bag across the axle .The previous owner used to run,with a full size awning,a bag of poles gas bottles and the spare.Plus a ton of other gear.So i presumed i was running light..lol
n my next trip i will put the spare wheel in a bag across the axle .The previous owner used to run,with a full size awning,a bag of poles gas bottles and the spare.Plus a ton of other gear.So i presumed i was running light..lol
ProfJohnL said:
LG, it's surprising, but an empty 3.9 kg calor propane bottle can weigh anything from 4.1 kg upto 8.6 Kg. And the 6 KG can weigh 7.3 to 10.9 kg empty.
Unless I really have too, I only carry a single gas bottle.
I try and get my nose weight to5 kgs below the max for my cars tow bar . Simple things, such as if your water heater is near the front of the caravan, drain it down, that could save maybe 5kgs on nose weight and 10 kgs on your max MPTLM. Also keeping your toilet fluid low, when travelling saves another few Kgs,
It takes years of messing about to get your caravan, as light as possible but with a good nose weight. .
Good luck you will get there.
Hutch.
Unless I really have too, I only carry a single gas bottle.
I try and get my nose weight to5 kgs below the max for my cars tow bar . Simple things, such as if your water heater is near the front of the caravan, drain it down, that could save maybe 5kgs on nose weight and 10 kgs on your max MPTLM. Also keeping your toilet fluid low, when travelling saves another few Kgs,
It takes years of messing about to get your caravan, as light as possible but with a good nose weight. .
Good luck you will get there.
Hutch.
Another quick thought, try jacking up your tow bar under the tow ball, it may have dropped. I have had that before, maybe slacken the towbar to the car chassis, jack up then retighten the tow bar .
I have used the MADDs spring assister with positive results, but you would have to tell you car insurance company.
Hutch.
I have used the MADDs spring assister with positive results, but you would have to tell you car insurance company.
Hutch.
Not sure what model your caravan is but my Sprite is incredibly nose heavy with just one Calorlite and the spare wheel in the locker. I cannot put gear in the front underbed lockers for travelling so a lot goes into the car or aft of the axle to get noseweight to 75kg against the cars 80kg limit. As said above it takes quite a bit of trial and error to sort these things out. Thanks to Sprite most of the heavy stuff like fridge, cooker, heater,battery, power units are all forward of the axle. And me removing rear bunks has saved kilos on payload to the detriment of noseweight. But after various adjustments it tows beautifully.
EH52ARH said:
I’ve used MAD auxiliary springs on a Saab 9000 CSE Turbo which rocked back and forth like a barge. They have also been fitted to my current car as the Witter towbar grounded as I came off of the drive and was too close to comfort on our local speed calming thingies. The Skoda just as well solo as with its standard suspension albeit just a little bit firmer unloaded. And its rear ride height is a bit higher. But with a load and noseweight there’s no further grounding of the towbar. I could have put on Skodas rough country springs but these would have had to come from Russia or India and really do raise the car up but would not have required and software or sensor changes. I informed my insurer and premium increased a smidgen.
I have not suffered any handling problems with my 2000 Abbey Expression 470.I even drove it the 40 miles from its place of purchase,with all the clobber the previous owner let go with it,awnings etc. On our first trip out with a lightened load,she handled fine.Obviously i will need to work out a solution to the JW .I will get there in the end..lol
otherclive said:
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