Towing with a Lexus RX450h
Discussion
prg123 said:
The maximum weight it can tow is 2000KG so is it correct that safely you should tow a maximum of 85% of that weight?
- Pete
Depends what you're towing, the 85% is a caravan club figure & for a Caravan it is probably not too far out as they are tall & wind & traffic affected. I've towed caravans with a stabiliser & been fine at the manufacturers weight. You'll probably have a twin axled van at that weight so will be more stable anyway. - Pete
Have you towed before? This is goig to be a big outfit once you have all your gear on board.
If it is a trailer say for a car then you can comfortably go up to the manufacturers limit, although you may need to fine tune the rig.
So you can tune the load so it has say 80kg of nose weight & try it & see how it behaves.
Edited by tr7v8 on Wednesday 21st August 09:07
A 5 or 6 berth caravan will offer the choice between being single or twin axle. If new to caravanning I recommend looking at as many caravans as you can initially to see what arrangements are available.
I would also consider buying a ridiculously cheap caravan as my first one, mainly so you can see what you like, what you don't like, and then change it after a season and haven't lost a fortune. A neighbour of ours bought a new van. used it twice and then realised they wanted a different layout and changed it. Not a cheap way of doing things.
As regards towing limits vehicle manufactuers give a maximum for their vehicle, which as far as I know is not related to the vehicle weight, and you must not exceed that weight. The Caravan and Camping and Caravan Club recommend that irrespective of the manufacturers permitted weight you do not exceed 85% of the tow vehicles weight. Just need to few caravan accidents on you tube to find out why.
My understanding on single and twin axles is that single axles are easier to manhandle in to position etc, but less stable to tow.
I would also consider buying a ridiculously cheap caravan as my first one, mainly so you can see what you like, what you don't like, and then change it after a season and haven't lost a fortune. A neighbour of ours bought a new van. used it twice and then realised they wanted a different layout and changed it. Not a cheap way of doing things.
As regards towing limits vehicle manufactuers give a maximum for their vehicle, which as far as I know is not related to the vehicle weight, and you must not exceed that weight. The Caravan and Camping and Caravan Club recommend that irrespective of the manufacturers permitted weight you do not exceed 85% of the tow vehicles weight. Just need to few caravan accidents on you tube to find out why.
My understanding on single and twin axles is that single axles are easier to manhandle in to position etc, but less stable to tow.
tr7v8 said:
Bathroom scales & a piece of wood
You can get a special set of scales to do it or use bathroom scales and a piece of wood. Does depend on the bathroom scales though as ours cant be used with a piece of wood! The special scales aren't outrageously priced and available from any caravan accessory shop. The issue is how many other bits you walk out the shop carrying!80kg is pretty easy to estimate though.... if you can just about lift it, it's around 80kg. if you can't move it, it's well over. if you lift it easily, it's well under. Shifting the stuff inside makes a massive difference to nose weight. Remember you want nose weight as close to maximum as possible, without needing to put anything heavy behind the axle. if you can't get the nose weight down without putting heavy stuff at the back, you are trying to carry too much in the caravan.
Having said all that, I used a set of bathroom scales and a piece of wood the first few times, and then get a feel for what the maximum nose weight felt like. Works for me.
Having said all that, I used a set of bathroom scales and a piece of wood the first few times, and then get a feel for what the maximum nose weight felt like. Works for me.
I'd recommend just a cheap nosewight gauge, if nothing else it'll give you the confidence that you're about right.
This is the noseweight gauge I bought from eBay, cheap as chips but gives a good indication. Have a look for the Milenco ones if you want to spend a little more & get more accuracy.
Do some experimentation, you'll be surprised how much the noseweight changes with the positioning of items inside the van. try & keep heavy stuff low down over the axles. Really heavy stuff can go in the tow car but there's no harm in putting it in the van so long as you're mindfull of the total weight & the noseweight.
Aim for as close to the maximum noseweight as you can, it'll aid stability. Look at the rig when it's all loaded & hitched. It should be level or a little nose down (it'll level when under tow) but you don't want it nose up, airflow under the van will make it less stable & that you really don't want!
Stabilisers (my old van doesn't have one) are great but no match for a decent driver who understands how to load the van with stability in mind.
If you've not towed before, both clubs do good introductory courses.
Enjoy it! We're hooked now!
This is the noseweight gauge I bought from eBay, cheap as chips but gives a good indication. Have a look for the Milenco ones if you want to spend a little more & get more accuracy.
Do some experimentation, you'll be surprised how much the noseweight changes with the positioning of items inside the van. try & keep heavy stuff low down over the axles. Really heavy stuff can go in the tow car but there's no harm in putting it in the van so long as you're mindfull of the total weight & the noseweight.
Aim for as close to the maximum noseweight as you can, it'll aid stability. Look at the rig when it's all loaded & hitched. It should be level or a little nose down (it'll level when under tow) but you don't want it nose up, airflow under the van will make it less stable & that you really don't want!
Stabilisers (my old van doesn't have one) are great but no match for a decent driver who understands how to load the van with stability in mind.
If you've not towed before, both clubs do good introductory courses.
Enjoy it! We're hooked now!
Pot Bellied Fool said:
This is the noseweight gauge I bought from eBay, cheap as chips but gives a good indication. Have a look for the Milenco ones if you want to spend a little more & get more accuracy.
Thats the same one as I have, cant recall how much it was from a caravan accesory shop.Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff