Tow bar weight

[Robin_5041462]

Hello all.

Help with this question would be appreciated. I have a Nissan

X-Trail which is fitted with a Brink swan-neck detachable tow bar.Fitted to the tow bar is Maxxrax cycle rack which enables me to carry my bike while I tow.

If,for arguments sake the bike, together with the rack weigh 15 kg. should I deduct this weight from my caravan nose weight.If so would this be likely to affect the towing stability of the caravan.

Thanks in anticipation.

Robin

 

[Guest]

Think about it. You have 2 things to consider. Firstly the maximum caravan noseweight you are allowed and secondly the maximum weight the tow hitch will take. You must not exceed either. So, if your caravan noseweight is 75 kg for example and your tow hitch will only allow 75 kg, then you must reduce the weight if you plan on adding the bike to achieve a net weight on the tow hitch of 75 kg. If however, your tow hitch will allow 100 kg then you can safely use the 75 kg for the caravan and add the 15 kg for the bike.

The other thing you also may wish to look at is the distance the bike rack is sticking out and make sure it does not foul the caravan on sharp corners. Most UK caravans have short A Frames.