Noseweight advice

DaveAldi replied on 22/10/2017 12:38

Posted on 22/10/2017 12:38

I tow a 2013 Coachman Pastiche 560/4 with a MTPLM of 1630kgs. I've recently changed my towcar from a Hyundai Santa Fe (Kerbweight 1977kgs and max noseweight 100kgs) to a Skoda Kodiaq Edition 4x4 (Kerbweight 1798kgs and max noseweight 80kgs). Considering the Kodiaq is the current towcar of the year I have been very disappointed with the towing stability of my outfit and despite careful loading and checking of tyre pressures I've had a few episodes of snaking (between 50 and 60 mph in the absence of strong winds), including one event where the car's towing stability assist activated the ABS to bring it under control. The caravan is fitted with ATC and an Al-Ko stabiliser hitch.


I purchased a noseweight gauge and found that the noseweight of my Coachman when totally emptied for winter (apart from two standard gas bottles in the front locker) was over 100kgs.


Please can anyone offer advice, firstly on whether I'm expecting too much of my towcar at a 90% match (bearing in mind I have 30 years towing experience) and secondly whether it's normal to have to remove gas bottles and add "ballast" behind the axle of an empty caravan to reduce the noseweight to an acceptable level. If I remove the gas bottles from the front locker, where is the safest place to carry them?


Thanks in advance to anyone with useful advice.

 

huskydog replied on 09/11/2017 15:57

Posted on 09/11/2017 11:35 by Lutz

I'm not ignoring the weight of the baby at all. Its weight is still being supported by the pivot of the see saw.

Posted on 09/11/2017 15:57

How old is this baby ???smile

replied on 09/11/2017 16:01

Posted on 09/11/2017 16:01

By the end of the discussion he or she should make first grade at school. It's OK affixing it to the towbar before each trip but it's weight is not constant as it grows quickly

Cornersteady replied on 09/11/2017 17:40

Posted on 09/11/2017 15:35 by lornalou1

so is somebody saying that if the baby was sat on scales on the seesaw the scales would read zero. can't see that.

Posted on 09/11/2017 17:40

that's what lutz appear to be saying? no force being applied  smile

Actually the baby has at least two forces acting on him/her (his weight and the seat pushing back) 

 

Lutz replied on 09/11/2017 17:58

Posted on 09/11/2017 17:40 by Cornersteady

that's what lutz appear to be saying? no force being applied  smile

Actually the baby has at least two forces acting on him/her (his weight and the seat pushing back) 

 

Posted on 09/11/2017 17:58

Of course the baby is acting on the see saw but to get the see saw level again that weight is not sufficient. The added weight that is needed at the end of the see saw to do so is the noseweight.

For the car's towbar it is irrelevant how heavy or light the A-frame is or where the gas bottles are located, for example. It only experiences a resultant force due to the distribution of the various loads within the caravan and that is the noseweight.

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