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Subject Topic: Virgin caravaner!
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18/8/2015 at 10:27pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo
View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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Its all to do with how you load the caravan. Caravans should be nose heavy when they leave the factory. What you need to do is check your cars max nose weight and tow bar max weight. Lets work on the average of say 75kg.

If you load everything to the front of the caravan (which would be ideal) you will exert too much weight on the towbar and springs of your car. If you put everything to the back you will create a see-saw effect which will be very unstable.

Heavy stuff on the floor over the axle with slight adjustment to either front or rear. Keep checking the nose weight with your guage to get to the figure required. Dont be tempted to load up the front locker of the caravan. All i have in mine is gas bottle, wheel brace, waste water hose and some blocks of wood.

Your caravan needs to be on level ground to properly check the weight.


19/8/2015 at 7:20pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
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Basically the nose weight is what the vehicle manufacturer says is the maximum weight you can put on the tow ball,find it in the car book or online
get bathroom scales and a length of broom handle, place broom handle under the hitch and onto the scales lower jockey wheel until its off the ground, with all van legs up, see how heavy it is, it wont matter if its under slightly
so if the vehicle states 75KG max, and your at say 65 your ok, you can then see how well the van tows and possibly move things inside the van slightly forward or back to adjust


19/8/2015 at 7:59pm
 Location: Lake District
 Outfit: Devon Aztec
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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 18/8/2015
After hitching up. . . do not shut blinds or curtains,



Also new, so can I ask why the blinds should be open?

thanks


19/8/2015 at 10:30pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo
View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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No reason why the curtains cant be closed.

If you close the blinds there is a very good chance they will jump of the retaining clip and spring up breaking the spring. Also never keep them closed when your van is in storage as this can weaken the spring.





19/8/2015 at 10:34pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo
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also this one is very important, check your wheel nuts are tight and torqued up the right amount.


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20/8/2015 at 7:22am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Quote: Originally posted by TheHeadGardener on 19/8/2015
Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 18/8/2015After hitching up. . . do not shut blinds or curtains,



Also new, so can I ask why the blinds should be open?

thanks




It's because of the reflective backing that most have, as it could dazzle/blind oncoming drivers when they are hit by the sun.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


20/8/2015 at 10:54am
 Location: Lake District
 Outfit: Devon Aztec
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Wobbly Box and blueexpo97, thank you. Both reasons make sense :-)


20/8/2015 at 8:54pm
 Location: Blackpool
 Outfit: Elddis Supreme
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Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 18/8/2015
Pounds AVON?? Please say you meant kgs??



Oooops - Yes - I mean Kgs.   It's an age thing.....


21/8/2015 at 12:53am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
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Quote: Originally posted by AVON EAGLE on 20/8/2015
Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 18/8/2015Pounds AVON?? Please say you meant kgs??



Oooops - Yes - I mean Kgs.   It's an age thing.....



Whats a KG, it LB,s, £sd and whitworth thank very much




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