Just bought a noseweight gauge and off to France early tomorrow. Can anyone tell us how it's used? Do you have to have the jockey wheel off the ground with all the weight going onto the gauge? Thanks
Urgent please - How to use noseweight gauge
- Thread starter wendylois
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
wendylois, yes you do have to have the jockey wheel off the ground, otherwise it will be taking the weight, instead of the gauge.
Yes. I presume it's one that fits over your towball, so just allow the caravan to rest completely on it as if towing, with the caravan and car on level ground.
Adjustment is just a matter of moving any heavy stuff from directly over your axle(s) very slightly backwards if noseweight is too heavy. You really can't have noseweight TOO light, but anything of weight should be neither too close to the front or back of your van. Though I always find two full gas bottles in the locker a problem. If you have a twin axle like us, you WILL find adjusting more difficult, despite what others may claim. It'll just take more time.
Our gauge is old and not so accurate. Many others have recommended using bathroom scales under a stick of appropriate length. Think we'll try this ourselves.
Bon chance on your hols, or as the French say "Merde pour..." though to be polite you don't actually say the M word, just nod.
We're off on the 23rd for 4 weeks. Can't wait. Hopefully we'll find somewhere to live and just come back to pack.
Tim.
Adjustment is just a matter of moving any heavy stuff from directly over your axle(s) very slightly backwards if noseweight is too heavy. You really can't have noseweight TOO light, but anything of weight should be neither too close to the front or back of your van. Though I always find two full gas bottles in the locker a problem. If you have a twin axle like us, you WILL find adjusting more difficult, despite what others may claim. It'll just take more time.
Our gauge is old and not so accurate. Many others have recommended using bathroom scales under a stick of appropriate length. Think we'll try this ourselves.
Bon chance on your hols, or as the French say "Merde pour..." though to be polite you don't actually say the M word, just nod.
We're off on the 23rd for 4 weeks. Can't wait. Hopefully we'll find somewhere to live and just come back to pack.
Tim.
Hi wendylois,
I suspect my reply may be too late for you, but just in case:
I think I need to add just a bit more to Tims answer. Tim is absolutely correct, the car and the caravan should be on level ground. The nose weigh gauge must support the whole of the nose load (i.e. jockey wheel off the ground)
BUT
And this is important, the hitch must be at the same height of the ground as when it is attached to the car. You may need to chock up the nose gauge to achieve this. The weigh gauge must be vertical to indicate the true load.
I suspect my reply may be too late for you, but just in case:
I think I need to add just a bit more to Tims answer. Tim is absolutely correct, the car and the caravan should be on level ground. The nose weigh gauge must support the whole of the nose load (i.e. jockey wheel off the ground)
BUT
And this is important, the hitch must be at the same height of the ground as when it is attached to the car. You may need to chock up the nose gauge to achieve this. The weigh gauge must be vertical to indicate the true load.
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