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Subject Topic: Loading the Caravan Post Reply Post New Topic
Personcapers
03/10/2016 at 6:03pm
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Hi folks,

I am about to embark on my first stint towing a caravan.
I am no stranger to towing, I have driven HGV's in the past and I have a small un-braked trailer that I use regularly.

But, the Caravan is 6m long inc. hitch and the axle is in the middle; all of my experience with long trailers had the axles at the back so the nose load was constant and the constant pitching of the trailer didn't happen.

So, when towing, what do you have in the caravan and what do you have in the car (VW Tiguan 2.0 TDi 4Motion)

I know that the nose weight needs to be below 100kgs, but I dont want to balance a heavy nose by adding weight to the back of the caravan - if you know what I mean.

Look forward to hearing your comments.


Personmoppetsdad
03/10/2016 at 6:30pm
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The main thing is to try and get the weight low and over the axle as much as possible.

-------------
David

    

I've stood on Lego and didn't even cry!!


PersonOpensauce
03/10/2016 at 6:40pm
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It depends on the caravan but you are ok with 2 gas bottles in the locker. Spare wheel where it is designed to be, ie in gas locker or in rack under rear & the rest of your gear like clothes & food stored in the usual cupboards etc around caravan.

If you are taking an awning then that should be ok in front seat locker but if noseweight is excessive then put awning on floor over axle in in car boot. If car allows 100kg on towbar then you are ok up to that but a 6mtre caravan is unlikely to have that much noseweight.


PersonGrampian91
03/10/2016 at 6:57pm
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Heavy stuff right on the axle and moving forward, i have nothing at the rear of the van at all.

I load mine as close to the 75kg limit on my car as possible. I can notice the difference if its too light, it wiggles more in crosswinds and when alongside a lorry.

Above 70kg all that wiggle is gone.


PersonSkoda Bob
03/10/2016 at 7:57pm
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100kg might be to heavy a load on the tow ball double check that


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Personcapers
03/10/2016 at 9:08pm
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Thanks for you comments.

I have confirmed that the ball load weight is 100kgs, but I plan to run at about 70 - 80kgs, leaving room for error.

I'lllet you know how I get on.


Personphathamster
04/10/2016 at 10:10am
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https://www.facebook.com/dunlaoghairemarina/videos/1471663689527395/

not sure this link will work but a simple demonstration that concurs with the advice given above


PersonSkoda Bob
04/10/2016 at 10:49am
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Quote: Originally posted by phathamster on 04/10/2016
https://www.facebook.com/dunlaoghairemarina/videos/1471663689527395/

not sure this link will work but a simple demonstration that concurs with the advice given above


Personskipp66
04/10/2016 at 9:50pm
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Hi Capers,
I am a new tower although like you I have a class 1 but as you say a big heavy trailer on 3 axels is very different to a caravan.
Last week i went away and as usual i put the awning and our chairs in the middle of the van and checked the noseweight with a gauge,70KG .... towed like a dream.

However coming home the awning was wet ( british weather!!) so i put it in the boot of the car ! Big mistake, the van was very "wobbly" and made for a tough trip so I stopped at the services, put the wet awning in black bags and put it in the van, straight away the van was fine again.
So for me it was lesson learned, I didnt realise that it would make such a noticable difference but it certainly did.

Hope you enjoy your van,we have had 5 trips already since getting the van in May.


PersonOpensauce
05/10/2016 at 7:25am
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I was an HGV 1 driver for most of my working life & towing loading & towing a caravan should be nothing at all for a truck driver experienced in general haulage with mixed loads & used to taking chances with dodgy & overweight loads to get the job done in the UK & on the continent. After a lifetime of that, loading & towing my caravan really is like riding a bike.

However an HGV driver who has only ever driven Tesco trucks may be different...


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Personskipp66
05/10/2016 at 7:38am
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Think you have a valid point about Tesco trucks from what I have seen Most of my driving of trucks has been in reverse! As I was a yard shunter!


Personmalkeiron
06/10/2016 at 11:38pm
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Caravan nose weight should be 5 to 7 percent of the gross weight of the caravan ie : weighing 1400kg = 70kg .
That is just an example.
Hope this helps.
Keiron


Personnora
07/10/2016 at 7:39am
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We always carry our awning in the car . Any very heavy items we carry in the car .
Just bedding and a few light clothes in the van .


Personnavver
07/10/2016 at 9:56pm
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It's important to measure your nose weight. Manufacturers are not very good at producing caravans with it correct. Some will be too light and some too heavy.

Once you know what it is you can start moving things around to get it right.

The affect of weight not over the axle varies with the square of the distance from the axle. This means if things are within about 4 feet of the axle they should have minimal affect.


Personorcadian
08/10/2016 at 8:01am
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