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Quote: Originally posted by John4703 on 02/11/2012

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Quote: What is the noseweight limit on the Golf ? 75kg

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And if Swift conqueror 480 is the new model it has a MPTLM of 1480kg which would make your towing match close to or over 100% even for the heaviest Golf diesel

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The weight of the caravan in just under 70% of the weight of the Golf. I'll post the figures next week when home.
Thanks again for all the advice

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Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 02/11/2012

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Your caravans MPTLM (max loaded weight) should be less than your cars kerbweight and ideally a 15% difference .
When matching a car to a caravan you use the Max loaded weight (MPTLM) , not the MIRO (unladen)and the kerbweight of your car.
i.e car kerbweight = 1600kg (100%)
caravan MPTLM(loaded weight)=1360kg (85%)

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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 01/11/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by janus on 01/11/2012

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On what do you base this claim?

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Ha!Ha! I thought you would be along shortly janus...I base the claim on acquired knowledge both from myself & others. Just like the 85% 'rule' it makes logical sense & the manufacturers seem to agree because there are occasional threads on here from folk with heavier caravans complaining they cannot get their noseweight below about 90kg without severely loading the rear.

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Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 06/11/2012

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Our Alko stabiliser hitch has a 150kg max. stamped on it.

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Quote: Originally posted by John4703 on 06/11/2012

Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 02/11/2012Your caravans MPTLM (max loaded weight) should be less than your cars kerbweight and ideally a 15% difference .

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When matching a car to a caravan you use the Max loaded weight (MPTLM) , not the MIRO (unladen)and the kerbweight of your car.
i.e car kerbweight = 1600kg (100%)
caravan MPTLM(loaded weight)=1360kg (85%)

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The car is 1890 kg and the caravan is 1470 kg fully loaded so is 78% of the weight of the car.
I've checked the figures and the max recommended tow weight for the Golf is 1400 kg.
The empty caravan is 1335 kg and max fully laden is 1470 kg. We simply aim to keep the weight of contents to under 65 kg and it is ok to tow. It does not seem hard to keep the weight down as we are used to using light weight camping equipment.

Thanks again for all the replies.

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Quote: Originally posted by janus on 06/11/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 06/11/2012Our Alko stabiliser hitch has a 150kg max. stamped on it.

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That is strange the Alko site states quite explicitly that they have a limit of 100kg.

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Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 06/11/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by janus on 06/11/2012

Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 06/11/2012Our Alko stabiliser hitch has a 150kg max. stamped on it.

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That is strange the Alko site states quite explicitly that they have a limit of 100kg.

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See here;

Alko 3004 Noseweight Limit

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Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 06/11/201

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I think you should check your figures again ! there's no VW Golf in production that has a kerbweight of 1.89 tons .
Your caravan at 1335kg miro is probably close to kerbweight of your car
Also your Noseweight Limit is 75kg on the Golf
This figure should not be exceeded and as your original post asked how to reduce to reduce from 90kg .
As your VW has a max towing limit of 1400kg you would be well advised to weigh the van on a weighbridge to be sure your not exceeding that figure as to do so will invalidate any warranty on the car
Post last edited on 06/11/2012 18:25:07

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Quote: Originally posted by John4703 on 06/11/2012

Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 06/11/201I think you should check your figures again ! there's no VW Golf in production that has a kerbweight of 1.89 tons .Your caravan at 1335kg miro is probably close to kerbweight of your car

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Also your Noseweight Limit is 75kg on the Golf
This figure should not be exceeded and as your original post asked how to reduce to reduce from 90kg .
As your VW has a max towing limit of 1400kg you would be well advised to weigh the van on a weighbridge to be sure your not exceeding that figure as to do so will invalidate any warranty on the car
Post last edited on 06/11/2012 18:25:07

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I'd quoted the fully laden weight of the car but it does not alter the fact that Volkswagon clearly state a towing limit of 1400 kg which is more than the weight of the empty caravan. I just need to distribute the weight better to reduce the nose weight. I'm considering moving the gas cylinder to above the axle when towing and putting it back into the front locker while on site. I'll need to work out how to stop a cylinder moving around. I used to do this 35 years ago with an old caravan where there was no gas locker so in use it simply stood outside.

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Quote: Originally posted by Rob12 on 08/11/2012

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Maybe Im missing something has the OP weighed the car to get to fully laden weight of the car? I thought you should use the kerb weight of the car then use the 85% recommendation.

Maybe Im wrong but i took kerb weight x 85% and ensured caravan fully loaded weight was below that

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