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Check the handbook for your car, as I said earlier the noseweight limit on the Accord I had was 50 Kgs and you should never exceed the manufacturers' guidelines.

I would say 30 - 35 is definitely too low, get it up to 50 if that is the limit for your car. The back of the caravan should only have light stuff loaded in it, move things forward to over the axle. If it is small stuff that you are piling in the bathroom, how about getting a couple of the collapsible crates to put it in over the axle for travelling?

Use the jockey wheel for raising the nose of the caravan to hook up. I'd never be able to lift mine!

My Accord did seem to be a little low at the back when towing, although it towed very well and never snaked. I looked into the idea of beefing up the suspension with those doughnut things that you can get but was told they wouldn't work on an Accord and I would have to get new suspension. I never got round to it before changing the car.

Quote: Originally posted by Elmer+Jackie on 14/10/2005

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7 % of 1200 KG (estimated loaded weight...) gives me 84 KG??? How the hell am I supposed to lift that on to the towhook? Get a forklift??? How do you get it on the tow hook? Lift it with the nose wheel and slowly lower it?

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You need also to check the maximum noseweight for your towcar.  84kg is higher than many.

Yes, lifting the nose using the jockey wheel and then reversing the car accurately is exactly what I and, I think, many others do.

Cheers
Andrew

 

 

Quote: Originally posted by Elmer+Jackie on 14/10/2005

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Next time I'll load it up and drag the bathroomscales outdoors and check what the weight actually is.

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If you have any axle stands, the easy way to measure the noseweight is to put an axle stand on the bathroom scales then zero the reading.   Make sure that the top of the stand is about the recommended height for the towball - usually 16ins - 17ins and then lower the hitch onto the axle stand.

Cheers
Andrew

 

I think you need to take a hard look at how you are packing the van.   Why are you piling stuff in the washroom and on the beds?  The stuff you use in the van ( clothes,food, dishes, bedding, etc ) should be stashed in their designated lockers. That way the van is ready for immediate use en route and when you arrive.

 Lightweight bulky items like the wastemaster and lightweight folding chairs , can go in the front locker, but consider carrying your spare wheel under the van ( if you don't already ) or your noseweight may get too high . If you use an awning then it can lie on the floor over the axle as long as it does not take you over your MTPLM.

Other heavy stuff like wheel clamp, hitchlock, BBQ, microwave ( if you take one), heavier chairs and table etc etc, should go in the car.

If, when you use the correct noseweight for your car, the car's nose is pointing up in the air, you could consider fitting some type of suspension aid or self levelling thingy ( sorry , don't know the technical term!)

yes that (Heidi) is one of our dogs.

both our dogs always come with us, and have passports so also come abroad.

They are part of the family, but are NOT so big or heavy as yours !

Michael

Hi all,

Everybody thanks a lot for all the advice. We are getting a stabilizer and we will look into packing the van a bit more structured. I've also got new wheels and tires for the caravan which I will get balanced and aligned properly. This should sort out our problems. Again thanks to everyone and keep vanning!

Cheerio, Elmer & Jackie.

Hi Paul I've used the Alko and the Straightliner together but after contacting Alko they advised against "as it puts too much strain on the towball"

I wasn't convinced but as they said don't use both I had no option but to comply.

The difference with and without Straightliner was so marginal as to be not worth the extra effort of fitting the straightliner 

The thing that has made the biggest difference to the feel of the outfit has been moving the 110amp hour battery (4st 3lb) from the extreme rear corner of the van to a central position as far forward as possible under the fixed bed.(proper  vented and secured battery box!!)

Regards