The Caravan Owners Club

[stevepocock]

can any one please tell me what the correct figure for the above.
I towed this caravan down to spain recently and found it a bit unstable at times

[Chubbs]

Nose-weights can be a bit of a mystery sometimes.

It used to be (when caravans were quite lightweight) that they recommended 7.5 % of the actual laden weight. So if your van, laden, weighs say 1600kg you would probably be told to use a nose-weight of 120kg.

However, modern vans are very different animals and are stable on very much less than 7.5 %.

The limiting factor tends to be what your car towball/towbar limit is.

Many cars have a towball limit of 75kgs , some 4 x 4s can take huge loads.

So the lower value of the car's limit or 7.5 % of the laden van weight, whichever is the smaller.

Just for your information........my car can take 75kg on the ball, my laden weight is usually around 1450kg for which 7.5 % would be 109 kg.
I actually tow with 60-65 kg on the hook............it is as smooth as silk.always! But I always keep my heavy stuff low down over the axle in the van while towing and NEVER tow with water in the tanks; it is unnecessary and potentially unbalancing........and not recommended by any of the clubs etc.

Hope this helps.

Cheers