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Subject Topic: Obtaining correct nose weight ?
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PersonNoviceNorris
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How in depth do people go to try and obtain this and can anyone assist me with how I would calculate mine ?

I am awaiting delivery of a new milenco nose weight gauge but at this time don't know what i need to be aiming for ? Is it 5-7% of the MTPLM weight ?

My tow bar has nothing written on it to suggest what the maximum weight is. Is that a problem ?

My cars kerb weight is 1700kg.

My caravan MTPLM is 1275kg.

What else do I need to know ?

Thank you.


Personbilly
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Post up make model year of car & I am sure somebody will know max noseweight. Probably between 70 & 90kg unless it is a large SUV which will usually have a much higher figure.

Then aim to load your caravan evenly with all your normal gear & go from there. Aim for max noseweight allowed for your car & you should be ok. Be aware that most caravans except the largest usually have max 100kg noseweight limit so avoid going over that even if your car allows it.

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PersonNoviceNorris
via mobile 03/7/2021 at 9:01pm
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2016 Audi A4 Avant.

Thank you.


Personmartin734
03/7/2021 at 9:43pm
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Just be careful though that when the caravan is hitched and the car is loaded that your max rear axle weights are not exceeded. Hitch the van first, then load the car.

Post last edited on 03/07/2021 22:42:13


PersonHumberWolf
03/7/2021 at 10:38pm
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According to Practical Caravan the nose weight limit of your car is 80kg. so if you aim for around 75kg - 80kg you will be fine.

You don't really need a nose weight gauge as a set of bathroom scales and a piece of wood to support the hitch will do just as well.


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PersonNoviceNorris
via mobile 03/7/2021 at 11:00pm
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Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 03/7/2021
Just be careful though that when the caravan is hitched and the car is loaded that your max rear axle weights are not exceeded. Hitch the van first, then load the car.

Post last edited on 03/07/2021 22:42:13


Sorry Martin, can you just explain this to me again? I only have 2 adults and 2 dogs in the car. No other luggage.


Persontango55
04/7/2021 at 12:04am
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You need to know the maximum downward force for the towball weight allowance for the specific vehicle which every manufacturer has to apply a figure by law for safety reasons. The figure applied is registered at the research and development stage which is related to the size of the towbar anchor points of the towbar and the vehicle's suspension respectively therefore certain models and year may have a different towball weight allowance. Whatever that figure is the target you need to aim for when checking the caravan noseweight with a noseweight gauge providing it doesn't exceed 100 kgs. which is the maximum allowance of the stabiliser hitch. Ignore the 5-7% percentage of the caravan's MTPLM, if you adhere to the manufacturers figures you can't go wrong.


Personbilly
via mobile 04/7/2021 at 6:52am
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You won’t overload axle if as you say you don’t have much in car. Just load caravan evenly. Check nose weight with caravan level should be 70-80kg & you are good to go.

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PersonNoviceNorris
via mobile 04/7/2021 at 8:26am
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Tango, Thank you for your post but if I am unable to find the manufacturers nformation out I guess my next best option is as Billy says, to stick between 5 - 7 % of the caravans weight ?


Personratcatcher
04/7/2021 at 10:04am
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Just google it and you will get a list of all car nose weights and don't exceed this. forget the 5-7% thing as tango says its the car makers figure that matters.
you will soon get used to how to load the van to get a ball park nose weight


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Persontango55
04/7/2021 at 10:20am
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I was checking to find out the required noseweight which refers to the B9 model which the towball maximum weight is 80 kgs.


PersonNoviceNorris
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I think b8 went up to 2016 and b9 started in 2017 so mine will be a b8.

Thanks for looking and helping me Tango.


Personiank01
04/7/2021 at 10:32am
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Quote: Originally posted by NoviceNorris on 03/7/2021
How in depth do people go to try and obtain this and can anyone assist me with how I would calculate mine ?

I am awaiting delivery of a new milenco nose weight gauge but at this time don't know what i need to be aiming for ? Is it 5-7% of the MTPLM weight ?

My tow bar has nothing written on it to suggest what the maximum weight is. Is that a problem ?

My cars kerb weight is 1700kg.

My caravan MTPLM is 1275kg.

What else do I need to know ?

Thank you.


An industry guideline is between 5 & 7% of the MTPLM of the caravan so in your case anything between 64 and 90kg. I would always aim for the higher nose weight if the tow bar allows it.


Persontango55
05/7/2021 at 12:09am
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Quote: Originally posted by NoviceNorris on 04/7/2021
I think b8 went up to 2016 and b9 started in 2017 so mine will be a b8.

Thanks for looking and helping me Tango.


Just to confirm that it states that the B8 is from year 2008 to 2016 and the B9 is from 2016 onwards so yours could be either. However, the B8 has a higher towball vertical load limit of 90 kgs. whereas the B9 is 10 kgs less at 80 kgs. as mentioned in my previous post. Hope this helps.



PersonNoviceNorris
via mobile 05/7/2021 at 7:00am
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Having taken a look online mine looks like the B9. I think I'll aim for 75kg and see how it rolls ?! I guess I'm not far off to I go for that.

Thanks everyone.


Persontango55
05/7/2021 at 9:54am
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I wouldn't advise to go lighter with the required noseweight so aim for 80 kgs. as too lighter noseweight will more likely cause instability issues rather than being slightly heavy. When the damper behind the hitch compresses onto the towball it activates the caravan brakes so too lighter noseweight will effectively cause the hitch to try and ride over the towball instead which can cause the caravan to snake in severe circumstances. Also, when you pull away from a standing start, the wind pressure against the front of the caravan increases the faster you go so effectively it lifts the hitch off the towball slightly anyway that's why it's advisable to adhere to the figure applied by the vehicle manufacturer. The correct noseweight is as important as loading the caravan correctly but if you do some research on the topic you will find out more about it.



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