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Subject Topic: Nose weight test - how level is level?
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PersonNickWo
28/9/2016 at 8:26pm
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Hi all

Getting back into caravanning again after a few years of no van :)

Get everything set for a weekend trip on Friday.

I just checked my noseweight with some bathroom scales and I'm happy with it. But I have been reading that the ground needs to be level.

Its on my drive, a concrete drive, which when looking at it appears level, I can't say I can notice any incline at all. Is this sufficient to get na accurate enough reading of noseweight?

Basically - how level does level ground need to be?

Thank you :)

Nick


PersonOpensauce
28/9/2016 at 8:44pm
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Caravan needs to be levelish as does ground. It's not that critical as long as noseweight is more or less correct. I'm sure plenty never check it at all & just rely on sensible loading of caravan.


Persontango55
28/9/2016 at 8:57pm
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When they say level I think they are referring to not checking the noseweight on an up or down incline because the weight can be distributed giving a false reading. What is more important is that the gauge is in a perpendicular position (vertical both ways).


PersonNickWo
28/9/2016 at 8:58pm
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Hi tango. What do you mean by gauge?


PersonColin21
28/9/2016 at 9:08pm
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I wouldn't worry too much about level ground. I would think that there is considerable lee-way anyway. As long as the noseweight doesn't grossly exceed the car's capacity, or come up as a negative figure....

Seriously, I would think that 5kg either way wouldn't cause a great problem. As Opensauce says, I'm sure plenty don't even bother to check. I think many rely on the principle "if it looks right, then it probably is".

If the tow-car's headlight are illuminating aeroplanes, or the car's back wheels look like they are barely on the ground, there's probaly something wrong.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


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PersonNickWo
28/9/2016 at 9:10pm
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Thanks guys. You've eased my nerves :)

I have a picasso 1.6 hdi which can legally tow up to 1.3 tonnes. The caravan is 850kg unladen, probably 1 tonne with awning and bits. It'll probably be fine ...... ?


Persontango55
28/9/2016 at 9:18pm
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Quote: Originally posted by NickWo on 28/9/2016
Hi tango. What do you mean by gauge?




Rather than explain it's easier to watch this short video on the Milenco noseweight gauge which is the one I use.


Here


PersonGrampian91
29/9/2016 at 12:03pm
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Dont bother with the non calibrated gauges, you may as well guess with some one of them, your likely to be closer than the true figure with a guess.

Some years back we were at the caravan storage and the guy next to us used a cheapy yellow gauge but it kept giving different figures, he turned it upside down and it fell to pieces.

If you use scales make sure you have a thick board to spread the load. I broke a set many years ago which just using a 2"x2" piece of timber. whoops.

You need a board at least the size of a pair of feet


PersonOpensauce
29/9/2016 at 12:25pm
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Digital bathroom scales are as probably as accurate as anything. With caravan standing on just wheels & jockey wheel slightly nose up, put scales on a large plastic caravan step. Put the bits of wood onto scales until you have correct ride height. Wind jockey wheel down until caravan hitch rests on wood & take reading.

It's not an exact science because weight will always vary a bit as gas bottle empties or you put a few cans of beer in. Imho all you need to do is weigh as described so you know how to load caravan & that's it. I see no need to weigh every time you leave a site.

If you want a proper noseweight gauge you need to pay out for a digital load cell type. These work on same principle as truck wayloadas & are probably the most accurate.



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