Nose weight question for newbie

(trying to move the van with the motor mover with the handbrake on and corner steadies down was the most memorable)

You can tell the mover is still engaged when you start to tow as it makes a LOUD racket ..... apparently 

Don't rush .... take your time .... it's a learning curve 

Some vans, including some of the Baileys particularly, start off with a very high nose weight. Yours may also well be one where you will have to stow everything behind the axle to get a sensible figure.

Our Bailey has a noseweight of 80 / 90 loaded normally or empty. The gas cylinders are positioned close to the axle. So I can well imagine we would also have difficulties if they were at the front and have to offset it with weight towards the rear.

yes done the motor mover thing, (tip don't leave the remote on the A frame)

I assume you drained down your water tank? Was the front locker empty apart from gas? for example was the aquaroll and wastemaster? in the front locker? 

Plus one

Which model Clubman do you have? 

Thanks for all comments so far, very helpful.  I have the 2015 clubman SB.    

In response to cornersteady, don’t think I have an onboard water tank? Toilet cassette and flush tank emptied and just a light pipes and the corner steady winder in the front locker.

cheers

Andrew

I think CS is referring to your hot water tank. Ours is located under the front seat, so forward of the axle. They hold between 8 and 10 litres of water, so 8 / 10kg. There is a small yellow flip tap close to the tank that requires putting in the vertical position. Then with the taps open the tank will drain out onto the pitch. If it's grass make sure you run all the hot off first. 

I had no idea about a hot water tank! The chap who did the van handover did not mention it. I’ll check this out at the weekend as we are off to Ambelside for a long weekend. I mistakenly left the handbook in the van at the storage site so can’t check in there.  Thanks for the info on this.

Been there done it; add  to list trying to drive off with mover still attached to wheels!  So to your nose weight.  I too have a Milenco weight gauge and they are really only a guide but very useful; you may wish to check the nose weight using bathroom scales - get a piece of wood (even a hammer) and put one end into ball connection of caravan and other on scales caravan  as level as possible.  If this reading is same as the Milenco one you can be reasonably sure it is right; if different just use split the difference!  When towing you should try to be as near the max as possible - 100kgs; I am assuming he car's max is 100kgs also.  When going on trips you will be able to adjust the nose weight by where put the stuff in the caravan but remember, heavy stuff over the axle and light stuff high heavy low - you WILL get the hang of it soon.  We put the awning in the car.

Suggest you prepare a check list to use before departure, there is one in the CMC Handbook and don't forget all skylights - yes we have missed that as well!!!

Don't worry you will soon master the hobby and have loads (excuse the pun) of pleasurable holidays.  Finally, don't be afraid to ask for advice anywhere, even on a site.  One thing caravanners like doing is helping people - we were all novices once.