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Just one more question about swaying of my caravan on motorway

is it better if we put as much weight as possiable in the front locker

I have been told this helps

we only have two gas bottles in ours

regards Dianne

Absolutely not.  You need to get the noseweight correct.  You did say you had done that, so don't change anything now.

Jim

One good reason not to do this is because when the bow wave of an overtaking vehicle hits a caravan it obviously meets the back end first, so it tends to push the back end to one side - the caravan pivots on its central axle(s) so the back end move in and the front end moves out.

The towcar will then dampen that initial movement - ie the opposite movement happens - the back end moves out and front end moves in. But - just as the front end begins its inward movement the bow wave from the overtaking vehicle hits the front end, thereby adding to the inward movement, so the sway is amplified. That is why a succession of overtaking trucks or coaches can lead to greater problems.

The towcar has to dampen that sway - at which point it is worth looking at the caravan as a pendulum. If the weight is at the extemities (front or rear ends) then the moving mass the towcar has to control is much greater. Hence the sway is harder to control.

Which is a long winded way of saying why weight should be kept as close to the axle as possible rather than at either end. You need the right noseweight - but don't do this by adding weight right at the front end.

Sorry, I hadn't realised it was a pickup.  That does make a difference. Just like a van, you do need some weight in the back.  Many years ago, I used to tow quite large trailers with a J4 van.  It always needed a couple of hundredweight bags of cement over the axle, before you could tow comfortably.

Don't go right up to the maximum caravan loading, in case you have made a mistake and go over.  But don't tow it lighter than you can help.

Do put some weight in the back of the pickup.  Probably about 50-100Kg.  If you're not carrying anything, get a couple of bags of sand.

Jim

i had simular problems.due to towing vehicle being a transit type sied minibus ( a van with seats) i had very little in my van and caravan and caused me so much stress i didnt want to tow back but now i have nose weights and plenty of gear in both tow and towed vehicle.

all my heavy gear is on floor from axle to front inbetween seats and lighter stuff is at rear of van,once i got it right its now a pleasure to tow.

BUT NOT IN TODAYS WINDS!!!