Is this a correct assumption
It seems logical but can I ask the opinion of others please? I weigh the nose weight of my caravan by the age old method of a piece of wood into the hitch and onto bathroom scales, aiming at just under 90kg. Am I right in assuming that if I then put the scales under the jockey wheel (having first wound down the front corner steadies for support whilst putting the scales under the jockey wheel), it will give me a figure just below that of the hitch figure. If so, what is wrong with using the jockey wheel each time and aim for this slightly lower figure?
I've always considered that poking a piece of wood into the hitch has the potential to damage the stabiliser pads.
Am I right with my assumptions which seem logical to me?
Comments
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This is not really helpful but it’s to do with moments about a point. The point I guess is the caravan wheel. Now it’s over 60 years ago that I studied this so I’ve forgotten the rest.
Cornersteady was a maths teacher so he might be along soon to throw some light on the subject 🤞
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Think "levers". The longer the lever the less force is needed.
So further out (the hitch) is less than further in (jockey). So it seems possible to adjust loading to give the desired setting and measure at the coupling, swap to the jockey wheel and get a reading there. Then use the value you found for further jockey wheel measurements.
Difficulty is - what way the jockey wheel points affects the measurement, so make sure it is always pointing same way.
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It could be calculated as Papgeno says (thanks btw) but with the hitch and jockey wheel being somewhere between 30cm and 50cm (?) away there won't be much difference I would imagine. I would actually if I had my caravan at home go out and do a test.
I did once buy a nose weight measurer that had a hemispherical top that fitted into the hitch if the OP is worried about any damage.
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I'm in the "will it really make that much difference" camp. I always check our noseweight before setting off using a Milenco gauge. I aim to get it to about 90kg but if it's a few kg more, I'm not that bothered. If it's a lot less it tells me that Ros has done it again and put far far too many clothes in her wardrobe at the back! That usually leads to another of our 'discussions'.
The car can take 140kg so the only real thing that concerns me is not exceeding the 100kg limit on the Alko hitch.
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The difference is considerable and you need to take it into account.
My hitch is 3.15m from the axle. With a reading of 65kg at the hitch these multiply out to 204.75.
Divide the 204.75 by my axle to my jockey wheel on floor position of 2.4m and you get a reading of 85.3kg.
I have an ALKO Premium jockey wheel and when I see it reading 85kg I know the load on my hitch is what I want for my lightweight van.
These jockey wheels have the advantage of also being wide and are useful if you have a mover fitted
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Yes it will. That is why one should stick to close to the stated nose weight limit as it was defined with that large variation when towing included.
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5% to 7% is the common range quoted. But that is again a very wide range. For a 1300kg van that would be 65kg to 91kg. The first you could lift and would be withing the vast majority of most cars max hitch load, the latter you could not and would be over that max hitch load.
It is not a simple issue and needs thought and time to get correct. But once sorted you are fine.
Colin
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You may not but I’m happy to pick up hitchers @ £10 a pop👍🏻😊
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But going by the 7% of the caravan's weight will often exceed the permissible towbar limit, especially in the case of heavier caravans. Many car manufacturers specify a limit of only 4% of the maximum permissible caravan weight for the towbar because that's what the regulations demand.
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I did it & lived to tell the tale😊, no old Bill pulling me over no hassles nor accidents. I know it’s a shocker but some folk can think outside the box without freaking over an nth degree👍🏻
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You are right to assume that the jockey wheel will show a different weight than the hitch. However, it’ll be higher, not lower. But in the grand scheme of things you need never guess again and you can leave your scales at home if you buy a proper nose weight scale. Buy a Milenco one and you’ll never need another. It’ll be £35 we’ll spent.
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I've got a proper nose weight gauge but find it is not so accurate as the bathroom scales. Once I have checked the weight at home before a trip the scales stay at home as everything is put back in the caravan in it's original place whilst we are away so the weight balance shouldn't change.
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