Tolerance on right side /left side weight balance?
Don't know if this is a silly question and I am being too cautious, but I'm taking the caravan for a first trip tomorrow - I've only towed it unladen for about 80 miles when I bought it in December.
I understand noseweight is important, but what about balance between nearside and offside? I have a Reich Caravan Weight scale and it is consistemtly showing the right hand side about 35-45kg heavier than the left hand side.
Cooker, cupboards, battery and water boiler are on right side, fridge and toilet on left side. Am getting the same difference loaded or unloaded, and heavy items are packed on floor over axle, noseweight is spot on (75kg).
It's a 1999 Elddis EX2000 Hurricane, MTPLM 1250kg, MIRO 1014kg and I'm towing with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L Diesel - also got a Winterhoff/BPW stabiliser fitted.
Should I be concerned about the weight difference side-to-side or is it within normal limits?
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It's the way the van was built, SV. You've got a fairly light van and a big beefy tug. I wouldn't worry about it.
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Thanks Tinwheeler - I was hoping that was the case. I've just seen something elsewhere about Swift caravans having a tolerance of 45% on one wheel to 55% on the other, so reassured.
It seems strange caravans are built with that imbalance, given how much guidance there is about correct loading of the caravan, and the effects of putting heavy items in the wrong place.
I'm sure I'll make enough mistakes, so just wanting to be sure I've got things set up ok and not messing up before I even move!
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Thanks for the feedback and encouragement - feeling more confident now - and yes, I'm happy to ask for help
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The German 'Caravaning' magazine carried out some tests a few years back (I don't recall exactly when and I don't have a copy of the report any more, either) which, if my memory serves me rightly, claimed that there was a noticeable increase in potential instability if the difference between wheel loads left to right is much over 70kg. They still mention that ominous figure today when publishing caravan test reports.
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The German 'Caravaning' magazine carried out some tests a few years back (I don't recall exactly when and I don't have a copy of the report any more, either) which, if my memory serves me rightly, claimed that there was a noticeable increase in potential
instability if the difference between wheel loads left to right is much over 70kg. They still mention that ominous figure today when publishing caravan test reports.Good to know - it's nowhere near that 70kg difference thankfully, but I'll try to make sure the loading keeps it well away from that limit
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Don't know if this is a silly question
Should I be concerned about the weight difference side-to-side or is it within normal limits?
Write your comments here... Something for you to ponder when you have time. The calculations for tyre Load Ratings assume that the caravan N/S to O/S is in perfect balance and as you say it isn't, but not by much.
Severe imbalance could have an impact on your tyres if they are operating close to their maximun designed load carrying capacity. eg. if one side is carrying 60% and the other side 40% of the MTPLM. The weights should be considered in relation to the tyre's Load Rating.
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Our Lunar has its fridge, oven, hot water heater, microwave, a lot of storage cupboards, shower & toilet all on the offside .... all counterbalanced by double wardrobe on the nearside - but by the time SWMBO has loaded enough clothing & footwear for every
weather eventuality, it's probably about 50/50 side to side
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The German 'Caravaning' magazine carried out some tests a few years back (I don't recall exactly when and I don't have a copy of the report any more, either) which, if my memory serves me rightly, claimed that there was a noticeable increase in potential
instability if the difference between wheel loads left to right is much over 70kg. They still mention that ominous figure today when publishing caravan test reports.Write your comments here...Once again Lutz priceless.
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Consider this. When on the road a caravan inevitably bounces about and the loading on the wheels is constantly changing. The balance from side to side will, therefore, vary.
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Consider this. When on the road a caravan inevitably bounces about and the loading on the wheels is constantly changing. The balance from side to side will, therefore, vary.
Write your comments here... Hey TW, less of the bouncing,a little bit of weight transfer for seconds but. ...that is only if the terrain is really bad (grant you most roads in the U.K now are)but items will be secured.
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Our Lunar has its fridge, oven, hot water heater, microwave, a lot of storage cupboards, shower & toilet all on the offside .... all counterbalanced by double wardrobe on the nearside - but by the time SWMBO has loaded enough clothing & footwear for every
weather eventuality, it's probably about 50/50 side to sideWrite your comments here...Molly this is like looking in the mirror! .You have my sympathy please,please symplecate it'seems tough outside.
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SV, just a thought. When you weighed your van had you drained off the water in your boiler? If not, then by doing so you would reduce the weight on the heavier side, so evening it up somewhat.
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My wife has the same problem with clothes. We have been away for three days and she has brought four unworn outfits back. The answer is hanging garments in the wardrobe one side and the rest in the seat base or lockers opposite. Given the load allowance
nothing else goes in the caravan.0 -
SV, just a thought. When you weighed your van had you drained off the water in your boiler? If not, then by doing so you would reduce the weight on the heavier side, so evening it up somewhat.
Thanks for all the help and feedback - the water system had been drianed - I didn't think it would be a good idea to tow with the water sloshing around in the boiler.
I checked all the weights again before we set off, and with careful arrangement of heavy items on the floor I managed to get it with 8-10kg difference on each side. Given I was using a Reich Caravan Weight Control scale and it has an accuracy of +/- 3% i'm
happy with that.Our clothes were minimum but very warm - Scotland teaches you that
I would never have been able to check without the Reich scale and would just have balanced evenly as possible and set off - which is what I imagine most people do.
The scale can seem expensive but I managed to find it at a Dutch caravan supplies warehouse for £85 plus £11 postage - much better than the £140-150 most places are selling for - a good investment for peace of mind.
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Our Lunar has its fridge, oven, hot water heater, microwave, a lot of storage cupboards, shower & toilet all on the offside .... all counterbalanced by double wardrobe on the nearside - but by the time SWMBO has loaded enough clothing & footwear for every
weather eventuality, it's probably about 50/50 side to sideThat sounds like my good lady too but all her clothes are on the opposite side to the fridge cooker etc so probably as you say evens it up a bit.
You shouldn't have a problem David. You've got that heavy Thule on the other side. That's why I've ordered one..... Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!
David
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SV, my advice is to relax and stop worrying. In 45 years of caravanning and motorhoming I've never once checked weight distribution or used any sort of scales, nor have I drained water from the water heater or emptied the toilet cassette for reason of weight.
You will be fine but the time to start moving stuff around is if you find your van isn't towing properly and it hasn't happened to me yet.0 -
SV, my advice is to relax and stop worrying. In 45 years of caravanning and motorhoming I've never once checked weight distribution or used any sort of scales, nor have I drained water from the water heater or emptied the toilet cassette for reason of weight. You will be fine but the time to start moving stuff around is if you find your van isn't towing properly and it hasn't happened to me yet.
Yes - I agree - it was the first time out and I was keen to get it right - time and experience will build up confidence. I'm probably being a bit pedantic, but I'm like that with most things
Now that Ive got that first trip under my belt, I'll check the noseweight and only check the overall MTPLM if I make changes to what I'm carrying inside the carravan0 -
I find it far more worrying that when I stand on the bathroom scales on my left foot I am 4 pounds lighter than when I stand on my right foot!
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caravanning and motorhoming I've never once checked weight distribution or used any sort of scales, nor have I drained water from the water heater or emptied the toilet cassette for reason of weight. You will be fine but the time to start moving stuff around is if you find your van isn't towing properly and it hasn't happened to me yet.
Write your comments here...
I find it far more worrying that when I stand on the bathroom scales on my left foot I am 4 pounds lighter than when I stand on my right foot!
Write your comments here...Which side do you dress on! .
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For that particular activity one does not dress at all!
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I have a Venus 460/2 and everything is on the offside, battery, boiler cooker etc (I started a thread about it before seeing this one) and it is jittery under tow. I've emailed and written to Venus/Lunar for weight distribution to no avail. After reading
this thread I think they don't give a hoot. I won't be recommending them again0
)most others on site will always help if in a pickle
,and despite what some think wardens do not bite,and do not feel embarrased to ask
