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Subject Topic: milenco nose weight
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Personsolar1952
20/5/2015 at 8:23am
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We tow with a Hyundai Terracan. Three litres of turbo charged diesel, no problems there then. Alko tow ball and 3004 stabilizer. New to caravanning and read all the advice on nose weights etc. Bought a Milenco gauge and went outside to make sure all was ok. With the caravan almost empty apart from the waste hog, water hog and the gas cylinders in the front locker. Reading went straight to Overload. Took more stuff out of the caravan, perhaps 10 kgs, mostly fittings and fresh air left. All tanks drained.left two duvets and four pillows over axle. Straight to Overload.
is the brand new gauge dead, need adjusting or am I missing something?
Packed everything into car boot instead and drove to the New Forest from Essex in very high winds. Drove according to conditions and arrived without drama. I hear people say that when driving certain cars the caravan makes no difference. Well I can certainly tell we're towing 1300 kgs. Drove back with very light winds, no difference. Does it always feel that you're towing a brick?
Thanks from a very newbie.


PersonMotobiman
20/5/2015 at 8:39am
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You can test it easily enough but mine works fine.

If you can't balance on it put a board over the top and onto a low wall or couple of blocks and stand on that near the gauge.

Maybe the caravan IS very nose heavy?


Persontango55
20/5/2015 at 10:10am
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Firstly, the towball weight limit would be at least 100 kgs. on the Hyundai Terracan which about the same as the Santa Fe but you haven't specified this nor have your stated what the caravan noseweight actually weighed on the Milenco noseweight gauge. We really need these figures so we can get a picture of the problem you are encountering and to offer further advice as to what sort of adjustment you need to do.


Personsolar1952
20/5/2015 at 10:23am
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Hi,
The Terracan max noseweight is 115 kgs but I'm told the Alko towbar is rated at 100 kgs max. The Milenco goes up to 130 kgs but has overload just below written on the gauge. The gauge compressed to at least overload. I was on my hands and knees and the gauge was at its maximum compression. The van is a Bailey Pegasus 462, 2011 and is 7' 6" wide, wider than previous model. I'll try again, maybe I'm doing something wrong.
Thanks for replies.


Persontango55
20/5/2015 at 10:48am
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If the Terracan maximum downward pressure is 115 kgs. then that's the figure you adhere to. Whoever informed you that the Al-Ko towball is rated at 100 kgs. is untrue and would be interesting to know where this information was obtained.
Have a look below the caravan door and there will be a plate with weights on, so if you provide the MTPLM figure then the caravan noseweight can be calculated accordingly which should be between 5 to 7% of that figure.


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PersonGreendemon315
20/5/2015 at 11:28am
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I have always thought an Alko hitch is limited to 100kg. Might be worth a check.

Jim


PersonMotobiman
20/5/2015 at 11:42am
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The cars tow ball limit of 115kgs is just that, a LIMIT, not a target.

If he's over 130kgs with an empty front locker there is a problem he needs to address before anything else IMHO.


Persontango55
20/5/2015 at 12:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Motobiman on 20/5/2015
The cars tow ball limit of 115kgs is just that, a LIMIT, not a target.

If he's over 130kgs with an empty front locker there is a problem he needs to address before anything else IMHO.


I agree, as 130 kgs seems rather heavy. That's why I wanted to know what the caravan MTPLM is first so the noseweight can be calculated to what it should be when leaving the factory.



PersonGreendemon315
20/5/2015 at 12:35pm
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Absolutely right. Something is basically wrong. I wonder what the ex factory noseweight is? Is there something heavy, like a motor mover, adding to the problem?

Jim


Personsolar1952
20/5/2015 at 2:08pm
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There are two movers forward of the single axle. The MTPLM is 1327 kgs so 7% would be 92.82 kgs. The 100 kgs Alko weight came from Alko themselves and checking online there were many sources quoting 100 kgs. Spoke to Alko Uk who have been very helpful and they quoted 100 kgs, don't know enough to argue. I didn't say the gas cylinders came out so they do come into the equation. Apologies if thats how it sounded. As the movers are within the green zone on the popular loading diagrams do they really alter things that much. If they do then should they be fitted at all?
Will try a third time but use the bathroom scales as well.
Thanks for all the feedback.


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PersonGreendemon315
20/5/2015 at 3:17pm
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I have checked the Alko site, and they do say 100kg for a stabiliser hitch. Never had a motor mover in 45 years of caravanning, but it may be worth trying them behind the axle. It can only improve things.

Jim


PersonMotobiman
20/5/2015 at 3:23pm
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Sounds to me the caravan was already a bit nose heavy and fitting the mover in front of the axle has only made it worse.

Yes they do make a difference or at least make a bad situation worse.


Personsolar1952
20/5/2015 at 3:39pm
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The caravan came with the movers and they have been invaluable moving the van through our narrow entrance. I suppose we could have done it manually but I'm not meant to lift much after two nasty abdominal ops and that just leaves my map reader to do it on her own.
I'm surprised that we're allowed movers if they are that bad. I was amazed at all the modern gizmos on modern vans when started looking. My earliest memories of holidays is a tiny static van at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth complete with water jug, leaded windows and gas mantles. We also have ATC, fridge freezer and a microwave. No wonder weight becomes a problem. Thanks to all for replies.


PersonMotobiman
20/5/2015 at 3:53pm
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I'm not saying movers are 'bad' at all.

I have one on my Knaus but behind the axle and as you say, it's invaluable.

What I am saying is the guy who fitted the mover might have checked the static vertical load on the tow ball before he elected to fit it forward of the axle, that's all.


Personsolar1952
20/5/2015 at 5:49pm
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I wonder if he / they did. It looks a pro fit but you do make a very good point. I will think of that if I can't get the nose weight within limits.
Many thanks.


PersonGraeme_Cooke
20/5/2015 at 7:49pm
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Even with a motor mover I wouldn't expect the nose weight to be close to 1300kg. We had a Buccanneer with an MPTLM of 1700 kg and with a full locker we had no problem balancing the nose. Can you get hold of an alternative nose gauge or a piece of wood and bathrooms scales? Just in case your gauge is faulty. We have one which has always worked for us but that doesn't mean they can't get faulty.

Has anything been removed from the back of the van. Any furniture perhaps. The manufacturer balances the van by design so any changes will effect this.



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