Hello all. This is my first post on here as I'm completely new to the caravanning world. We're days away from picking up our Bailey Ranger 540/6 but will be borrowing a car to do this as we're still looking to sort a new car out. We only got rid of our Freelander in October and bought a Citroen Grand Picasso to accommodate our new arrival. However, now need a car capable of towing a caravan and pretty much want one that I don't need to worry about weight etc. Narrowed it down to ideally a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Kia Sorento. However, I've heard that the automatic nose weight goes down to 80kg whereas the manual is 100kg so only been looking at manuals. However, I can't find a decent one! Loads of automatics out there - is the nose weight going to make that much difference? (Got to the question in the end!)
A caravan is intended to be towed slightly nose heavy. The nose weight can be adjusted by distribution of the load within the caravan. The nose weight should be approximately 7% of the actual laden weight (but not greater than the hitch capacity) and at the same
time suit the towing vehicle.
So...you need to know the weight of your Bailey which should be in the handbook.
Aim for 75kgs nose weight.
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As long as the nose weight matches the car there should be no problem. You can easily adjust the caravan's noseweight by careful loading.
Personally, I much prefer an automatic for towing anyway, especially one with a torque-converter transmission rather than the newer types. A manual is too much like hard work for a leisure vehicle, in my opinion. Purely a matter of personal opinion though.
I presume your Picasso is the 1.6 diesel, the 2.0 diesel has a higher towing weight, from memory it is 1500 kg which is plenty for a Ranger 540/6 which I think is around 1300 kg. My figures are from memory, it's been a while since we had a Picasso or a Ranger.
Caravan has max weight of 1350 so it's possible you might need to increase noseweight to over 90kg if you are not happy with tow at less noseweight so it would be ideal to have a car that allows that weight if required.
Caravan may of course tow ok with a 70kg noseweight but you might find problems getting it down to that weight. Good thing about a car that allows 100kg on towbar is that you have a fairly free hand within sensible limits with loading of caravan, for example you could carry 2 gas bottles in front locker, not be restricted to 1 & so on.
I have the same van and my Yeti has a noseweight limit of 70kg, and I have had no problem with getting that weight, even with 2 gas bottles, the spare and the usual rubbish in the front of the van. Awning and poles sits over the axle to balance everything.
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Topic: Nose weight novice
Purely a matter of personal opinion though.
