Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Ideal nose weight Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmarky-marque
26/9/2013 at 1:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View marky-marque's Profile View Profile   Reply to marky-marque Reply   Quote marky-marque Quote  
Joined: 04/7/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   51
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi were off on out second trip tomorrow and my gold has a nose weight limit of 75kgs what is the best nose weight to try and get?


PersonGary H
26/9/2013 at 3:34pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: 2004 Lunar Lexon CS. 1.9 Passat tug View Gary H's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gary H Reply   Quote Gary H Quote  
Joined: 25/8/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   252
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Ideally it should be 7% of your vans MTPLM (maximum technically permitted laden mass) but not exceeding the nose weight limit of the towing vehicle or tow bar.
As an example, my cars limit on the tow bar is 85 KG, I tow a 1350KG van and my nose weight is close to 7% at the 85 KG maximum of my car.

-------------
avatars/image003.jpg


Personmarky-marque
26/9/2013 at 3:51pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View marky-marque's Profile View Profile   Reply to marky-marque Reply   Quote marky-marque Quote  
Joined: 04/7/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   51
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks my MTPLM is 1200kgs although I think were about 1050-1100kgs laden, so at 1200kgs it would be 84kg at 7% which is too heavy. 1200kg at 6% = 72kgs and at 5.8% = 70kgs, so its it best to try at get upto 75kgs?


Personsunshinetours
26/9/2013 at 3:52pm
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
As above really - between 5-7% ideally of loaded vans weight.
We tow 1300kg and nose usually around 85-90kg which is max for my car and is just under the 7% guide.

The larger the van the more likely you are going to need a 4x4 to achieve 7% if that is what you are aiming for as no hatchback cars/estates/saloons have over 100kg noseweight in this country


PersonOctavia4x4
26/9/2013 at 3:55pm
 Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
 Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482 View Octavia4x4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Octavia4x4 Reply   Quote Octavia4x4 Quote  
Joined: 24/10/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   618
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The recommended noseweight is between 5% - 7% with a legal minimum of 4%, but do not exceed the cars noseweight limit. I tow with just over 6% with a 75kg noseweight, the cars maximum. The higher the noseweight, better stability, without exceeding any set limits of car or caravan.
Have a read of the folowing:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1zy48ttzqabrzqz/noseweights%202013.pdf

-------------
Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


Advertisement



Personmarky-marque
26/9/2013 at 4:05pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View marky-marque's Profile View Profile   Reply to marky-marque Reply   Quote marky-marque Quote  
Joined: 04/7/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   51
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks

I don't quite get is it the MTPLM or the actual laden weight?


PersonJTQU
26/9/2013 at 4:23pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S View JTQU's Profile View Profile   Reply to JTQU Reply   Quote JTQU Quote  
Joined: 01/11/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2189
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
The "best" IMO is the heaviest the kit you have allows.
Very dated research suggested 7% but that was achievable back then with lighter weight caravans. But once caravans got over 1000kgs many cars simply could not take it and the caravan designs needed to improve to tolerate lower percentages.
What is needed is that the noseweight overwhelms the tipping back forces of air being slammed against the van front from the airflow but importantly the bow wave of passing vehicles. Providing the vehicle etc can take the noseweight there is no sensible upper limit stability wise. Dont over load but keep as high as you can.


Personmarky-marque
26/9/2013 at 4:29pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View marky-marque's Profile View Profile   Reply to marky-marque Reply   Quote marky-marque Quote  
Joined: 04/7/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   51
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
thanks I think in going to about 72-73kgs


PersonSkoda Bob
27/9/2013 at 12:45pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4 View Skoda Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Skoda Bob Reply   Quote Skoda Bob Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1837
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Just weigh the van nose before you hook up, there is absolutely no need to go near or to the max you could run at 40 or 50 KG, going to the max only puts more pressure on the tow vehicle's rear suspension, that could already be put under compression with extra passengers or heavy stuff in the boot


Personsunshinetours
27/9/2013 at 1:07pm
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If your van is over 1000kg loaded you do not ideally want to be running at 40kg as your van will almost certainly be more susceptible to instability from passing vehicles

Providing your car is within its loading limits and no one axle is overloaded, no problem whatsoever going to or near the tow bar/car maximum


Advertisement



PersonSkoda Bob
27/9/2013 at 1:28pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4 View Skoda Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Skoda Bob Reply   Quote Skoda Bob Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1837
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The Skoda superb max towball weight is 75KG we run at 50 KG van is very stable, awning over the van axle


Personmarky-marque
03/10/2013 at 2:23pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View marky-marque's Profile View Profile   Reply to marky-marque Reply   Quote marky-marque Quote  
Joined: 04/7/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   51
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We towed at about 73kg and had no problem and looked level when we were stationary


Personsunshinetours
03/10/2013 at 3:28pm
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Nice one


PersonOnewheelonmywagon
06/10/2013 at 1:23pm
 Location: W Midlands
 Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 560-4 & Discovery 4 View Onewheelonmywagon's Profile View Profile   Reply to Onewheelonmywagon Reply   Quote Onewheelonmywagon Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2013

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   168
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Before I got my current tug I always had problems keeping within the 85kg car limit with my 1500kg van. Subsequently I replaced my ancient Pyramid noseweight gauge with a new Milenco one and found I had another 15kg noseweight to play with. The spring in the old gauge must have been a bit tired and was overstating the noseweight - should have checked with bathroom scales.

No problems anymore with current tug which has a 150kg limit. I find best noseweight to be 95kg, just within the Al-Ko chassis limit.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

4793 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder