Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 28/5/2014
I don't think it's that critical plus using a spirit level would give a false reading on the slightest incline so as long as it visually looks level or slightly nose down that should be good enough.
My outfit always looks level and the only way I could get the nose slightly down is to bolt on a drop plate behind the towball which I prefer not to do unless I had some kind of stability problems.
It isn't at all critical. 5 degrees off horizontal would make about 0.5% difference to the noseweight.
If its only a light camper & tows ok then that weight will be ok. You don't have to go to maximum towbar weight limit on the car if you don't need to. The trailer noseweight needs to be a sufficient % of trailer weight, 5-7% is usually ok.
thanks all only reason I am asking as I have changed my car and it has a tow ball limit of 80kg whereas the last car had a towball limit of 65kg so I was well within the 55/7% this is a bigger car (antara) therefore bigger noseweight
i check mine regularly with bathroom scales and measured bit of wood.
swmbo reckons i am ocd, but having watched someone this morning with an identical caravan to ours just throw a bbq and a load of the kids stuff, toolboxes, and loads of other stuff rammed to the max with a ton of other stuff, i know they are both overweight and have about 130kg of noseweight!
i just dont get why people want to risk their license and at the end of the day, their life with excessive, as well as bad, loading!
Quote: Originally posted by jasie on 31/5/2014
i just dont get why people want to risk their license and at the end of the day, their life with excessive, as well as bad, loading!
People do these things in ignorance I assume - I hope that they wouldn't deliberately put themselves and others lives at risk.
On the same topic, we have a Kia Sorento 56 plate 4wd towing a Bailey Senator California 2009 (single axle) van. We have been happily towing with this combo for the past year but I am horrified to learn that according to towsafe that there appears to be a problem with the hitch limit which is 100kgs on the Bailey and the nose weight of the Kia is 120. I am mystified as we are more than happy with the towing capabilities of our Kia. We always load the van in the same way and have experienced no problems so far although I must admit we have never checked the nose weight.
Quote: Originally posted by luvmydogspitch on 17/6/2014
Hi,
On the same topic, we have a Kia Sorento 56 plate 4wd towing a Bailey Senator California 2009 (single axle) van. We have been happily towing with this combo for the past year but I am horrified to learn that according to towsafe that there appears to be a problem with the hitch limit which is 100kgs on the Bailey and the nose weight of the Kia is 120. I am mystified as we are more than happy with the towing capabilities of our Kia. We always load the van in the same way and have experienced no problems so far although I must admit we have never checked the nose weight.
Does anyone have a Kia and can advise?
Sorry, I don't get your problem?
Your cars noseweight limit (120kg) is more than adequate for the caravan you are towing, so you just make sure the actual noseweight of the caravan when loaded is less than the caravans hitch limit of 100kg.
Caravan noseweight will probably be around 80-90kg with caravan loaded as it should be. If it tows ok then it is probably around this weight. If you want to weigh noseweight without buying a gauge use bathroom scales & 2 bits of 4x2 one placed across scales & the other vertical under hitch cut to correct length for caravan to be level.
With caravan on firm level ground, unhitched & loaded as you normally tow it, wind up corner steadies & wind jockey wheel to slightly nose up then with scales & wood placed as described, lower hitch onto wood so all weight is on scales & check weight. Worth knowing weight but no need to check every trip.
Its unlikely caravan noseweight will be above 100kg & the 120kg is maximum tow hitch weight, it dosen't have to be the full 120kg.
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Topic: Nose weight
