Nose weight

AndyJF
AndyJF Forum Participant Posts: 84
edited June 2022 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

I got myself a nose weight measure. Interesting results. I just bought a spare wheel (steel) which I can store in the front locker compartment (there's a wheel mounting point).

Without wheel: 70kg
With wheel: 95kg

So the wheel adds on an additional 25kg, which sounds about right.

I've checked the nose weight specs for my car, and apparently the max is 100kg. BUT I've also read that it's advisable to tow with a higher weight (without exceeding the max), as it adds to the stability of the outfit. So I reckon 95kg is about on the mark. 

Any thoughts?

 

Comments

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2022 #2

    Spot on Andy.  Tow as close to the limit as possible and 95kg would be it in my book.

  • AndyJF
    AndyJF Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited June 2022 #3

    Thanks for the confirmation.

    I had noticed a slight 'bumpy unstableness' (best way I can describe it) when driving along some roads. Would you say this is a symptom of a light nose? I might take it out for a test drive, now I've got the spare wheel loaded to see if there's a difference.

     

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2022 #4

    The unstable feeling could be the car is light on the front wheels with the steering feeling out. It could be you are on the heavy side with your nose weight. The figures are a guide and you need to find what is best for your combination through practice, without exceeding the maximum figures for van and car.

    Don't forget to up the tyre pressures in the car. Check oh thd door pillar/drivers door/fuel filler cap for figures. 

    Colin

  • TonyIshUK
    TonyIshUK Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited June 2022 #5

    Some manufacturers are delightfully vague about towing nose weights.  There is usually no mention of rear axle loading on the car. Is an extra 100kg on the rear end with or without 3 kids, dog and extra camping gear ? Or just a light load with nothing in the back with the caravan steering the car.

    To cite extreme example is Land rover " It'll pull 4.5 ton , Sir"  No mention that it would be most unwise to be doing that at 60mph on the M3, rather than in the yard.

    Toyota in UK say you cannot tow with certain cars. however if you look at the same LHD model in Europe, you can tow with them.

    You probably have seen the club recommendations for towing ratio car to caravan weight and nose weight to caravan weight ratios. 

    Usually doing the sums comes up with the right answers, even if the results are not appreciated.

     

    Rgds

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2022 #6

    "Some manufacturers are delightfully vague about towing nose weights. There is usually no mention of rear axle loading on the car."

    The maximum allowable rear axle load is always displayed on the car's statutory weight plate.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2022 #7

    I'd agree with eM about having the correct tyre pressures. Whilst I always aim to set the noseweight at about 95kg - a few weeks ago I left a site after forgetting to increase the tyre pressures and I noticed that the rig felt a bit wobbly on some roads whereas, it had never done so before. Plus there's quite a big difference between laden pressures and light load pressures on my car.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited June 2022 #8

    Whereas I leave my tyres as they are & have never had any wobbling issues. In the past I've increased them on a previous car & forgot to reduce them on a solo trip into town & the car was all over the place.

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