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Subject Topic: Measuring noseweight on a slope
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Personclimo
13/5/2012 at 1:36pm
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We keep our 'van on our rearward sloping driveway. Does this effect the noseweight measurement?

Gravity exerts the same pull on all the caravan and assuming that I can get the van level, my feeling is that it should not make any difference as the caravan pivots around its single axle rather like a playground seesaw does.

If the 'van does have to be on level ground then why do you have to make sure that the hitch is the same height as the towbar? Do that would surely negate the measurement taken on level ground.


Personmichael
13/5/2012 at 1:46pm
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yes can only be done on level ground

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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Personclimo
13/5/2012 at 2:28pm
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Has anyone done a comparison measurement?


PersonOpensauce
13/5/2012 at 2:36pm
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Just take it to a flat supermarket carpark, get it more or less right & that will be good enough provided you always load caravan about the same. The quoted noseweight(towbar download)figure in car handbook is just a guide not a legal requirement, it does not have to be exact, a few kgs either way is fine.


PersonGram
13/5/2012 at 3:39pm
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However, from a Caravan Club leaflet (page 3)......

It is a legal requirement of the Directive that the towbar must be fitted with a clearly visible plate or label giving the following information:
The manufacturer’s name
The Type Approval number
The manufacturer’s number
The maximum permitted noseweight in kg
usually described as the ‘S’ value.....

I offer no opinion....

Gram

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Personsaxo1
13/5/2012 at 3:52pm
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If you think about it it can't be an exact science as when you are travelling the weight will depend on the terrain and the aerodynamics of the van.I did mine on my drive,app 1in8,and the difference was only a couple of Kilos.

Saxo1 


Personmichael
13/5/2012 at 4:55pm
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see safe for the road.......

http://campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/technicalhelp/datasheets/



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


Personsaxo1
13/5/2012 at 5:14pm
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I'm not joining the club just to read their advice!

Saxo1


Personarc systems
13/5/2012 at 5:14pm
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The van has height as well as length so if you measure the van other than level, then weight at high level has moved fore or aft, adding or subtracting from the nose weight so giving a false reading.
Note; although easier on level ground, the van has to be level or to be precise, the same angle it's towed at, not the ground underneath it.


Personmichael
13/5/2012 at 5:19pm
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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 13/5/2012

I'm not joining the club just to read their advice!

Saxo1

no need its free to view.

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Personsaxo1
13/5/2012 at 5:30pm
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I realise it now but when I clicked on the link I got a members only warning so I wrongly assumed it meant club members whereas it really meant forum members.

Saxo1


PersonOpensauce
13/5/2012 at 5:43pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Gram on 13/5/2012
However, from a Caravan Club leaflet (page 3)......

It is a legal requirement of the Directive that the towbar must be fitted with a clearly visible plate or label giving the following information:
The manufacturer’s name
The Type Approval number
The manufacturer’s number
The maximum permitted noseweight in kg
usually described as the ‘S’ value.....
This is correct but it does not make compliance a legal requirement & it is not as enforcement would be impossible because noseweight is impossible to check accurately. The quoted towbar download figure is the weight at which towbar & mounting points has been tested by the manufacturer & is advisory.

The legal requirement is that axle weights, mtplm & train weights are not exceeded & it is because of this we have the sensible 85% 'suggestion' to allow a good margin.

I'm not saying that the download figure can be exceeded by a large margin, I am pointing out that there is no need to get it exact & once it has been got more or less correct there is no need to check it every trip which is what I think the op wants to do & hence my advice to find a flat surface, get it more or less correct & leave it at that.


PersonChalkie56
13/5/2012 at 5:50pm
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I am just trying to get my head around it. Firstly take your weight reading, then if you work out the Drive angle as a percentage (ie 5 or 10%) then add or subtract it depending on whether the drive slope rises or falls away. It makes sense to me but I am sure someone will poo poo it shortly

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Personclimo
13/5/2012 at 6:14pm
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I didn't mean to get into the legality of noseweight. Just wanted to establish the noseweight on the drive. That way I can play around with loading arrangements to my hearts content.
I'm not particularly bothered about getting it spot on but neither do I want it right out. I'm quite sure that I'm front heavy I just don't how much.
Saxo1 method seems to be good enough and I'll try that & when out on level ground.
I'm towing a heavy german van but with a much heavier 4x4. The combination is well under the 85%.
Thanks for the replies.


PersonOpensauce
13/5/2012 at 7:14pm
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If you have a 4x4 with download well in excess of 100kg then really all you need to do is load caravan sensibly & evenly & that will be good enough, theres no need to check noseweight.

I do apologise for providing excess information but it could well be of use to other forum members.


Personsaxo1
13/5/2012 at 7:37pm
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I have a German van and the manufacturer specifies a maximum noseweight for the van of 100 Kg.

Saxo1



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