Nose weight confusion
The new van we are collecting has a noseweight limit of 85kg, ok get that bit, do not exceed 85kg, great.
but what is the nose weight supposed to read when your ready to tow?
is it that rather vague 5-7% of the mtplm ?? (use the lesser number)
All advice appreciated.
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As JVB says Alko hitches have a limit of 100 kg. So even if your vehicle can tolerate more on the tow hitch, that is the maximum you should put. Your car will have a stated tow hitch maximum, most are somewhere between 70 and 100kg, although some larger 4x4 are more. Although the caravan has a 100 kg limit, you should not exceed the cars limit if lower. Our vehicle has a 100kg limit and we find it tows best with about 85 kg on the hitch. A previous vehicle with a 70kg limit used to handle well with 60kg. It's all about loading the van to achieve this ideal weight, however try not to put heavy objects to far back if a reduction is required.
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When you say "new van" are you referring to your caravan or your towing vehicle. Your towing vehicle will have a maximum nose weight limit which should not be exceeded, this information should be in your handbook. As JVB66 said most caravans have a hitch load limit of 100kg.It is generally best to run with a nose weight as high as possible without exceeding either of the above limits.
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Ar. . . I see, what I'm getting at is what should the nose weight read?
Near the 85kg limit?
Say 75kg?
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The ideal noseweight when towing will be 5-7% of the MTPLM but the upper weight is governed by
1) your cars nosewight limit (see handbook)
2) the maximum noseweight ALKO permits on the hitch i.e. 100Kgs
If you are saying your car has a noseweight limit of 85Kgs then aim for a noseweight of around 80Kgs
When you measure noseweight the van should be fully loaded and level. All you are aiming for is a stable tow without exceeding the upper limits of car and hitch.
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No, my tow car tow ball limit is 130kg.
In an ideal world with the caravan packed level and weight over the axle, slightly biased towards the front, nose weight should be . . 71.65%
MTPLM = 1433 KG
X 5% = 71.65
X 7% = 100.31
So if I make sure the nose weight is 75kg I should be ok ??
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You will almost certainly be OK but may find it is a more stable tow with a slightly heavier hook load. This you are able to do because your car has a 130kg limit, but keep below the 100kg caravan hitch limit. Personally I would start with between 80 and 90kg.
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75 kgs "should" be okay, but are you sure the caravan is actually limited to 85 kgs?
If so I would take advantage of that 85 kgs and the ability of your tow car, and run at the 85kgs. That "should" be even better.
Typically, towing stability is best with high nose weights, provided the tow vehicle itself is not troubled by that nose weight. All kit has to be within its limit.
Most series produced European caravans have a chassis with an "A" frame rated higher than 100 kgs, though several have hitches capable of 150 kgs. So for all but those with caravans with heavy duty chassis, we are limited to 100 kgs nose weight, whatever out tow vehicles can take.
I think you will find European guidance if not law requires a minimum of 4% of the MAM.
The 7% was from history and only viable with vans up to your weight; it's not permissible on heavier vans as most have not the chassis to have it.
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Sounds like the 85kg is the "ex works" nose weight.
The AlKo hitch is rated at 100kg, what is your tow vehicle limit?
What you should aim for is to be close to the lesser of your tow vehicle's limit or the AlKo 100 kg limit.
In this case, it sounds like you should aim for a max of 100kg.
Our tow vehicle has a limit of 140kg, but the AlKo limit is 100kg, so we keep below that. I have no idea what our ex works nose weight was, but it is irrelevant anyway.
Our MTPLM is 1900kg, so we are well above the required 4% noseweight.
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Clause 44 (3) of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations StVZO, supports my belief that the 4% of the trailer weight applies, to German trailers. Mine has a sticker to that effect hence my earlier comment.
http://www.stvzo.de/stvzo/inhalt.htm
Not that it applies to UK caravans with their 50 mph speed limit in Germany.
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Ok, so ignore everything about loading evenly and bung it all on the tow hitch!!
Thanks guys, I`ll run with 80kg nose weight
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I tow a Lunar Delta 1800kg fully laden with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3ltr crd and I dont have any problems the Jeeps have a high nose weight as you know,however you will need to load to your caravan nose weight if you need to reduce it move your load away from the front end
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The clause referred to above only states that the noseweight must be 4% of the actual total weight of the trailer or 25kg, whichever is the lower. Other conditions apply to trailers over 3500kg, but they would not be relevant here.
The above applies when towing at the regular 80km/h speed limit for trailers. However, when towing at 100km/h in Germany, apart from other conditions that apply, the noseweight must be set at the manfacturer's prescribed limit and that could even be more than 4%.
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Pretty much, yes. You need nose weight, the higher the better, ignore your maths equation. Your car has 130kg nose weight, your caravan has 100kg, so get as close to the 100kg without going over it.
There is a great video on you tube that shows exactly why nose weight is very important.
Sounds like you're one of those that asks a question then moans when you get truthful answers, not the ones you wanted.
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I think there is some confusion here.
Firstly it is not the Al-Ko hitch that is limited to 100Kg - that limit is set by the chassis.
Secondly it is the towbar that limits the maximum load. My Passat estate is rated 90Kg and with a Westfalia (VW o.e.m.) bar fitted the bar is rated 90Kg as well. However my last car, also a Passat estate, had a Thule bar fitted and that was rated 85Kg so that was the limit, i.e. it is thelower of the bar or the vehicle that sets the limit - and it will be appropriately labelled.
Finally, for a car rated at 85Kg on the ball, with the caravan on the level and the noseweight being measured it is a good idea to set the load/balance a little lighter for the simple reason that as the caravan will be carrying weight quite high above the axle, when the nose dips such as when going down a hill some of that high load will be forward of the axle and impose a greater load on the hitch.
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The comment was said in humour hence the emoticons.
My question was asked because the information I have got tells me the tow ball limit is 80kg, and it has been suggested that I should go towards 100kg,
As a relative newbie why would I moan about getting sound advice off seasoned members??
"Ask a question, and then moan when getting a truthful answer" ?
Ridiculous I suggest YOU trawl YouTube and see if you can find some informative videos on how to get a sense of humour!!
I try and inject some humour in my posts, the club has got a reputation of being "stuffy" and sometimes condescending,
You don't know me, and as people know text messages, emails and posts on this forum are void of any emotion. So I'm guessing that your response was said in jest to!
Have a lovely day!
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A humourless response to the OP! If caravan max noseweight of 85 kgs and car 100 kgs then max noseweight on hook is 85 kgs. If caravan max noseweight is 100 kgs same as car then aim for as near 100 kgs as possible. Suspect that the 85 kgs is the ex works noseweight, My outfit is the 100kgs combination and I aim for 90 - 95 kgs noseweight; with this I get a stable tow.
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Thank you sir,
So I`ll aim for 75-80kg. Many thanks
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