Hello and newbie nose weight question

Caravans with an Al-Ko chassis have a max nose weight of 100 kg. However unless you have a large 4x4 it is likely that your tow car has less than that, often about 75kg. It is important to go with whichever is the least but ideally load up to its limit. I would definitely leave the gas bottle in the front locker so that you are not continually having to disconnect it. You can of course move heavy items a little further rearwards to achieve the desired nose weight. Whilst you want to avoid putting heavy weights at the very rear, many load some weight to the rear of the axle, low down. For example I had a Bailey Seville which loaded with two gas bottles started out at nearly 100kg. It was a case of moving some items just behind the axle to get it down to 80 kg. it then towed in a very stable manner. Whilst you say that many folk don't bother it is best to check in the early stages with an unfamiliar outfit. Most of us load our caravans exactly the same way every trip and you do get to know what it takes to achieve the correct weight.

I suspect that moving your spare wheel and draining your water heater will drastically reduce the nose weight.  When storing heavier items inside the van, it's best to place them directly above the axle and on the floor.  Others on here who tow with the spare wheel in the van have said that canvas bags are available to keep them in.  I have an Alko spare wheel carrier - while it is good for stowing it close and low to centre of gravity, they aren't so good if and when you need to get to the spare and haveing tried it, I wouldn't get one had it not come fitted.  Obviously, when you get set up on site the spare wheel can go back in the locker out of the way.  Don't forget to flip the water heater drain tap back off before reconnecting your water pump.  If you're struggling for a caravan manual, the instructions for a lot of the fittings (water heater, room heater, toilet etc) are available free online from Truma, Thetford etc websites as are all the details for Alko hitches, stabilisers, brakes etc.  Enjoy your 'new' van, we haven't looked back after getting ours last year.

To answer your original question, noseweight is crucial for for a good stable tow, so no, you are not being obsessive. I must admit my Coachman is always a problem to keep below 100kg but the Tucson takes that easily (another plus point for 4x4s - eat your words Geoff). I took our spare wheel carrier off and flogged it on Ebay, it was so difficult to access and always caked with mud etc. besides, the spare is brilliant for adjusting nose weight by moving it forward to increase and back to decrease it. I'd take issue with Tirril about the gas bottle though, keep it in the nose locker yes, where it sits safely upright and is well ventilated, but I always disconnect it before travelling. 

Thanks everyone, Rating for my car is 70kg.  when I first checked it, it was over 110kg and had towed it like that!

I got it down to 80kg but with all your tips I am sure I will comfortably get it down to just under 70kg.

Cheers, Peter.

 

We had this problem with our first van and tow vehicle, solved the problem by anchoring a storage box and water container in a corner towards the back, behind the axle. Not ideal perhaps, but it did make towing more stable

........... I'd take issue with Tirril about the gas bottle though, keep it in the nose locker yes, where it sits safely upright and is well ventilated, but I always disconnect it before travelling. 

Ours is always turned off at the bottle, but NEVER disconnected.

Why would you feel it necessary to disconnect it?

........... I'd take issue with Tirril about the gas bottle though, keep it in the nose locker yes, where it sits safely upright and is well ventilated, but I always disconnect it before travelling. 

Ours is always turned off at the bottle, but NEVER disconnected.

Why would you feel it necessary to disconnect it?

Write your comments here... I'm puzzled too. How is it safer if you disconnect? I turn the gas off but leave the hose connected. It could be argued that disconnecting is actually allowing gas to leak back.

Tirril

beg your pardon chaps - and especially Tirril, I'm sure years ago when I first started vanning I read somewhere that you should always disconnect before towing so I've been doing it ever since, however I can't find any ref to it now so I bow to your superior knowledge - one thing less to worry about when I pack up next week! Thanks, 

Probably poor terminology. I would imagine that they meant shut the gas off.