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Daz

Well, that all sounds good then - it was certainly wise to check.

The only thing that puzzles me about that, is that you have established the towbar's potential loading, but it is usual for the vehicle's manufacturer to specify the vehicle's limit and I'm still left wondering if that might be lower than Witter's 85kg limit.

For example, Ford specify our Mondeo Estate's limit to be 75kg.  I'm not sure what make of towbar we have fitted (it was not factory fitted) and could well be a Witter.  Therefore, if we were choosing an Indiana, it's noseweight would be beyond Ford's specification, although not beyond Witter's !!

At risk of turning you into a nervous wreck, would it be possible for you to check the van manufacturers specifications?

It does all seem a bit of a trial, but it will be worth it in the end and hopefully you won't in future be one of those unfortunate people who post questions about their van wagging and bouncing along behind them.

Oh dear Ulti-Mates, between us we are gonna finish Daz off before he even gets hitched!

Ali

One other thing which I think I've already mentioned

What is the maximum payload of the van? I was once told by a driving instructor that the weight being towed added to the weight being carried in the van can't exceed the vans maximum payload.

Does anyone know if there is any truth in this?

Omg im not logging on again.

Ulti-mates you really have put a spanner in the works this time

I have phoned my Vauxhall van dealership and got no answers as the documents regarding my Vivaro van show no mention of the nose weight limits of my van anywhere in all there technical bumf from vauxhall head office.

I then phoned Vauxhall head offices customer services this dinner time and they too couldnt find anything and have had too send a internal email to there Technical team and i was promised a call from them within a couple of hours, but as yet i have heard nothing.

I understand your point though as you say that although we are having a witters tow bar fitted with a nose weight limit of 85kg it in no way gives a idea as too what the vans actual nose weight limit is allowed on the suspension.

It looks like its going to yet another long weekend waiting for answers and i will be sure too let you know how i get on  

Daz

Oh Daz do you ever wish you had bought a simple trailer tent or a bivvy bag even?

Good luck getting the answers, I feel so sorry for you.

Ali

Hiya, I think the noseweight figure is a legality and if exceeded and you have an accident you may have difficulties with the law and your insurance company.

NOSEWEIGHT
A caravan’s noseweight is the weight that it applies to the towball. The maximum noseweight must not be exceeded. This tends to range from 50-100kg but you should really work to either the caravan chassis or tow vehicle manufacturer’s figure – whichever is less. Generally speaking, the heavier the noseweight the better the caravan will tow. But finding the right noseweight for optimum towing performance is a matter of trial and error. One way of calculating noseweight is to take seven percent of the MTPLM, or you could alternatively use a noseweight gauge.

Better off re-jigging your locker to achieve the required weight Daz.

Ali

Daz I picked up Practical Caravan last night - November issue - and they have a couple of pages about noseweights in it if that is any help?

Ali

Hi there, aw I bet you are excited I have never had a brand new caravan before so I know what I would be like in the run up to collection!

The caravan mags tend to repeat themselves after a few issues but if you have never read them then worth a year's subscription.  Mine has just ended but I am gonna re-subscribe I think.  If you do Tesco points, Caravan magazine is available for £9.50 worth of points so £40 odd of subs dirt cheap!  I did that one too.

Your tow bar sounds like excellent value for money.

Well good luck with it all and glad to be of help.

Ali

Ali, the caravan magazine has already been ordered using clubcard deals

It always seems that whatever we want we have to wait for and it seems forever having to waite for the Indiana to be delivered   Although i have heard that delivery times are now slipping for new orders of the new Bailey Indiana and Burgundy range and is now December time at some dealers. Now that would do my head in.

Daz and family

Ps yes we are excited, especially after clearing up all the issues in the above posts.

PHEW!!!!!!

He he he, it has been a rough ride but better safe than sorry Daz eh.  We didn't mean to give you palpitations but how cross would you have been if Bailey had gloated about their warranty conditions if anything went wrong?

I hope your delivery time doesn't slip and it goes smoothly from here on in, I am sure you are going to love the van when it arrives, how jealous am I!

Ali