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 Topic: Caravan Nose Weights
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05/2/2018 at 3:45pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Fleetwood Vanlander
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Joined: 05/2/2018 Standard Member
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Hi there
Just purchased a Fleetwood Vanlander 640 ES
Have Kia Sedona 2.9 CDI 2009
Everything checks out in terms of weight match etc but when I collected the van, I put a cheap nose weight gauge under the hitch to double check the nose weight came within the 85kg on the car.
The weighing device went up to 100kg.
However, when I put the hitch down on it, it compressed the bar right down meaning, I guess, the nose weight of the caravan was at least well over 100Kg
So, what was in the caravan, in the rear, the air awning, caravan full cover.
In the front locker, 1 x Gas bottle, empty Aquaroll, spare tyre and a few bits and bobs.
I had no choice to hitch up, when I put the caravan was hitched up the rear of the car didnt drop down much, if anything and the overall line of car and caravan was, in my opinion, perfect.
Under tow for 160 miles, I was shocked how well the sedona towed and the overall feel and balance was great.
Steering was not to light and I did not struggle pulling away, in fact, if anything I had to be careful not to go to fast as the Sedona seemed to love the combination (the weather was awful)
So, I am not to sure what to do now, the weighing gauge thing was new, albeit it cost me only £12
Can anyone advise please
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05/2/2018 at 6:49pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Fleetwood Vanlander
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Joined: 05/2/2018 Standard Member
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Interesting
I didnt realise things could be so sensitive to nose weight as a spare tyre on its wheel in the front locker
I think my shock was, everything in this twin axle was put just behind the back axle in the rear bedroom.
Only thing else in the van was in the front locker, wheel, gas bottle, Aquaroll and some other bits.
The Caravan club worked out all the percentages and the Kia Sedona was a "good match" even with the 200Kg payload.
So the shock of a more or less empty van pushing the nose weight gauge right down flat, indicated even the Land Rover the seller used was not big enough.
However, reading the notes here, which I thank you for, it is clear that only small adjustments to loading can make a huge difference (spare wheel etc)
I think the bathroom scales is a good approach, they can be calibrated, also I think I need to load up with all our basics we will be carrying, fortunately, the Sedona boot is massive so if I have to transfer the contents of the Caravan locker to the car boot I can.
However, as I said earlier, Im 58 years of age and have seen all sorts of nose down/up on caravans hitched to cars.
The Sedona and caravan were perfectly level from front of car to back of caravan and the Kia did not even drop much if anything onto the back wheels.
And the handling was amazing, its as if that 2.9 big diesel engine had found something sensiable to do with all its power.
Without pushing the throttle to the floor It took the van from 0 to 50 in about 20 seconds.
So I am hoping the nose weight thing is much my fault or even a faulty gauge because I was very nervous about towing a big van but it turned out I really enjoyed it, took my time and kept it smooth.
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