Previously posted in the Towcar section very recently.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Every time this is reposted it is worth pointing out that it is misleading & uninformative to novice towers. To force the snaking about 50% of weight of test rig is transferred to rear which is impossible irl. New caravanners do need to understand about weight distribution but this is too crude to teach them anything.
True - it is a very crude, but I still think it is very valuable. Many people just don't listen to verbal advice, but showing them this might make them take notice.
It might be a crude way i agree but,there are hundreds of new caravaners out there who think they can load a van anyway they like infact,if it was so simple to load a van why is it every body on here jumps in and tells the person who has made a thread like "How do i pack my van" and gives advice?
You must remember,a lot of people who have had tents on here are new to caravaning and havent a clue..
If the purpose is to frighten the clueless into not towing at all then perhaps a good thing? Loading a caravan is really about common sense. It should be obvious to anybody that an even load is needed. If even that is not obvious then perhaps they should not be towing?
Knowledge can be taught but to learn, some understanding is required.
Frankly, I don't think it is always about common sense.
Having bought a new caravan this year, and then towed it round France, Spain and Portugal for two months, the following observations are pertinent:
The experienced caravan dealer/hirer (German) we bought from, fitted a bike carrier to the front A frame.
The front locker of the van carries, potentially, two gas cylinders, spare wheel and other kit.
The fixed double bed is at the front end of the van ... it raises to open a large storage space beneath.
The combination of these three, load carrying, sections, if loaded to their potential, makes for a very front heavy van.
A fair reaction to the supplied van would be to load up and go ... I tried the load, measured weights with a Reich scale, and found I was way out of balance.
After several days of towing and experimenting, I finally removed the bike carrier, bought a couple of bike stands from Decathlon like these and carried the bikes inside, centrally located and padded on the outside ... pretty simple to load and unload, as well as providing good stands for use at the campsite.
The under bed storage was reserved for lightweight bedclothes, aluminium outdoor prep table etc ... the main outdoor table traveled on the sofa section across the lowered sitting area table at the rear end.
This provided a perfect balance, and correct towbar loading recommendations, after ensuring that we emptied all water from the water tank pre departure.
Much of this was a long was from simple 'common sense'! IMHO
The test rig warns of the dangers of too much weight at the rear. If a caravanner does not understand that his towcar has a weight limit on the towbar then again he should not be towing. A frame bike rack is ok for suv with high towbar weight limit but I agree it is no good on car with say 70kg towbar limit.
If the dealer fitted the rack without consulting customer as to tow car they would be using then probably he is rubbished on German forums same as bad UK dealers are rubbished on here.
I think we need to realise that not every new caravanner uses common sense when loading the van.
I have certainly seen lots of examples of the opposite.
Its always easy for those of us who have and use common sense, not to understand those that do not.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 26/10/2016
I think we need to realise that not every new caravanner uses common sense when loading the van.
I have certainly seen lots of examples of the opposite.
Its always easy for those of us who have and use common sense, not to understand those that do not.
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 26/10/2016
I think we need to realise that not every new caravanner uses common sense when loading the van.
I have certainly seen lots of examples of the opposite.
Its always easy for those of us who have and use common sense, not to understand those that do not.
Have not towed a caravan for many years but totally agree about the common sense issue Vangoman.
Two weeks ago in Balloch site a gentleman took forty minutes to hitch his caravan to his car and then,when leaving, a hundred yards down the site parted company with his brand new four wheel caravan.
He had not retracted his jockey wheel and obviously not
hitched up properly.
He was then advised by two caravanners that were helping to lift it back on that his breakaway cable was U/S and lights cable had been damaged.
He left anyway. Thank god it happened on site.
Although not a loading issue it goes to show there are people towing caravans without a clue about what they are doing and very little common sense.
Regards,
Greg
You are quite right but how will a video showing that your caravan will snake if you transfer 25% of the weight of the caravan to the rear end help anybody gain enlightenment? As I pointed out it is too crude.
It looks like it was designed by a dynamics 'expert' who has never actually towed anything.
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Topic: weight distribution dynamics
