Caravan loading question
Discussion
We got our caravan at Easter and have managed three short breaks so far. Due to the short duration of these stays (and the poor weather) we traveled light, but in a few weeks we are going away for two weeks, and will be travelling heavy.
I plan on taking an awning, table and chairs, gas bbq, bikes (x4) plus luggage etc and have a query about where to put the stuff.I have had a look on the caravan club forum and the perceived wisdom there seems to be to put everything in the tow car.
I plan to put the bikes on the roof, but was hoping to put the other stuff in the caravan as the car isn't big enough to accommodate it all, hence my question to the experienced caravaners of Pistonheads, what do you put where?
Thanks
PH
I plan on taking an awning, table and chairs, gas bbq, bikes (x4) plus luggage etc and have a query about where to put the stuff.I have had a look on the caravan club forum and the perceived wisdom there seems to be to put everything in the tow car.
I plan to put the bikes on the roof, but was hoping to put the other stuff in the caravan as the car isn't big enough to accommodate it all, hence my question to the experienced caravaners of Pistonheads, what do you put where?
Thanks
PH
So, if I were you I'd put the bikes on the roof, and the heaviest items that you can fit in the boot of the car.
Normally for me that's the awning, gazebo, BBQ, windbreaks, fold down table, etc.
Chairs normally go in the caravan, and clothing goes in the overhead lockers, etc. Just try and make sure that any heavy items in the caravan are low down and preferably over the axle.
We have a twin axle, so I normally put a roof box on the car and really load that and the boot up. Furniture, kids bikes and scooters, etc. in the 'van.
Normally for me that's the awning, gazebo, BBQ, windbreaks, fold down table, etc.
Chairs normally go in the caravan, and clothing goes in the overhead lockers, etc. Just try and make sure that any heavy items in the caravan are low down and preferably over the axle.
We have a twin axle, so I normally put a roof box on the car and really load that and the boot up. Furniture, kids bikes and scooters, etc. in the 'van.
Lets have some more information on the set up - that way we can all suggest the best/safest way of loading.
I have a pretty heavy Coachman, and have upto recently been towing with an Audi A4 Avant. I was very close to the towing capacity so used to load the car with all the heavy items like awning/poles/beer fridge :-) when we went for longer trips.
Towing it up through Monte Blanc last year was fun, the clutch got a little smelly until I realized that I needed to leave massive gaps before pulling away in the traffic upto the tunnel (which I copied from all the arctic lorries).
Whats the tow car and whats the van?
Ive just upgraded to a SQ5 which I dont think I'll struggle anymore but will still load the van as light as I can although.
I have a pretty heavy Coachman, and have upto recently been towing with an Audi A4 Avant. I was very close to the towing capacity so used to load the car with all the heavy items like awning/poles/beer fridge :-) when we went for longer trips.
Towing it up through Monte Blanc last year was fun, the clutch got a little smelly until I realized that I needed to leave massive gaps before pulling away in the traffic upto the tunnel (which I copied from all the arctic lorries).
Whats the tow car and whats the van?
Ive just upgraded to a SQ5 which I dont think I'll struggle anymore but will still load the van as light as I can although.
Surely the maximum nose weight of your car (A6 Avant is 100Kg) means that you shouldn't load up the rear of your car in the same way you shouldn't load the front of the caravan. Your nose weight is to ensure the suspension at the rear of the car can handle the weight whilst ensuring the front wheels stay on the ground.
The Caravan should appear level when attached to the car, if the car is overloaded then the caravan will naturally look tipped forward as your tow bar will be lower then designed.
To measure your nose weight you can use the bathroom scales with a bit of 1"x1" into the tow ball and few bits of wood to spread the load.
Ensure you have checked both the caravan and the cars limits.
The Caravan should appear level when attached to the car, if the car is overloaded then the caravan will naturally look tipped forward as your tow bar will be lower then designed.
To measure your nose weight you can use the bathroom scales with a bit of 1"x1" into the tow ball and few bits of wood to spread the load.
Ensure you have checked both the caravan and the cars limits.
chasingracecars said:
Surely the maximum nose weight of your car (A6 Avant is 100Kg) means that you shouldn't load up the rear of your car in the same way you shouldn't load the front of the caravan. Your nose weight is to ensure the suspension at the rear of the car can handle the weight whilst ensuring the front wheels stay on the ground.
The Caravan should appear level when attached to the car, if the car is overloaded then the caravan will naturally look tipped forward as your tow bar will be lower then designed.
To measure your nose weight you can use the bathroom scales with a bit of 1"x1" into the tow ball and few bits of wood to spread the load.
Ensure you have checked both the caravan and the cars limits.
A4 Avant, not A6 and yes the van and car were level everytime. What I was doing was getting the % rate higher than unloaded and that doesnt make a diff to the noseweight. Roofbox and a well loaded caravan is the answer.The Caravan should appear level when attached to the car, if the car is overloaded then the caravan will naturally look tipped forward as your tow bar will be lower then designed.
To measure your nose weight you can use the bathroom scales with a bit of 1"x1" into the tow ball and few bits of wood to spread the load.
Ensure you have checked both the caravan and the cars limits.
I used a noseweight gauge once, moved a few things around in the van (chairs etc) and went with the reading - car and van towed horribly and I had to stop within a mile to move a few things back half a foot, which then made a massive difference.
This outfit combination could be a match.
Kerbweight ratio: 87%
The caravan's laden weight is close to the car's kerb weight, increasing the risk of stability concerns. This outfit should not be driven by novice towers, and does not meet Club guidelines. Note that a small increase in ratio (to perhaps 90%) is acceptable if all other criteria are passed.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Towing limit ratio: 78%
The caravan's laden weight is within the car's stated towing limit, and therefore meets legal limitations.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Gross train weight ratio: 90%
The sum of the car and caravan’s fully laden weights is within the car’s gross train weight. This outfit can therefore be used legally with both the car and the caravan fully laden.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Nose weight ratio: 67%
The car's nose weight should be fine to safely tow this caravan. If this figure is high, however, (typically over 100%) care will be needed to load the caravan so that the car’s nose weight limit is not exceeded, but this should be practically achievable. Aim for 5-7% of the caravan’s actual laden weight without overloading the car.
This outfit combination is a good match.
BHP per ton : 52
The car’s engine power should be fine to safely tow this caravan.
I had to guess a model and year on the car as you havent given the full details but would think most models and years would be very simular anyhow.
Your close on the Kerbweight weight at 87% but thats only 2% over what the Caravan Club state as perfect (85%). I would say put your awning and poles in the boot of the freelander and keep the van loaded as equally as possible with anything heavy kept down low and over the axel.
Kerbweight ratio: 87%
The caravan's laden weight is close to the car's kerb weight, increasing the risk of stability concerns. This outfit should not be driven by novice towers, and does not meet Club guidelines. Note that a small increase in ratio (to perhaps 90%) is acceptable if all other criteria are passed.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Towing limit ratio: 78%
The caravan's laden weight is within the car's stated towing limit, and therefore meets legal limitations.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Gross train weight ratio: 90%
The sum of the car and caravan’s fully laden weights is within the car’s gross train weight. This outfit can therefore be used legally with both the car and the caravan fully laden.
This outfit combination is a good match.
Nose weight ratio: 67%
The car's nose weight should be fine to safely tow this caravan. If this figure is high, however, (typically over 100%) care will be needed to load the caravan so that the car’s nose weight limit is not exceeded, but this should be practically achievable. Aim for 5-7% of the caravan’s actual laden weight without overloading the car.
This outfit combination is a good match.
BHP per ton : 52
The car’s engine power should be fine to safely tow this caravan.
I had to guess a model and year on the car as you havent given the full details but would think most models and years would be very simular anyhow.
Your close on the Kerbweight weight at 87% but thats only 2% over what the Caravan Club state as perfect (85%). I would say put your awning and poles in the boot of the freelander and keep the van loaded as equally as possible with anything heavy kept down low and over the axel.
From what I can see the max nose weight of the caravan is 100Kg, the car is limited to a tow ball weight of 150Kg.
Therefor you want to ensure your caravan is less then 100Kg on a nose weight gauge, you are helped by the fact the car is more suited then most and can indeed carry a fair amount of weight in the back of the car without effecting the height of the tow bar creating the same as a heavy nose weight.
Therefor you want to ensure your caravan is less then 100Kg on a nose weight gauge, you are helped by the fact the car is more suited then most and can indeed carry a fair amount of weight in the back of the car without effecting the height of the tow bar creating the same as a heavy nose weight.
OK,
so to follow on with this..
I make a point of checking the nose weight before I head off on holiday, in theory there isn't much weight change over the course of the holiday so the nose weight is not likely to change.
So I just checked the nose weight with the caravan in "ready to go mode" for us that is personal effects not loaded and very little food on board. What do people aim at for nose weight at this stage, My maximum is 90Kg which I was right on for the last trip but had limited time to sort. (Got the caravan the night before going). When measured in this "ready to go mode" it came in at 85Kg, I moved a few things around and got it down to 80Kg.
Clothes all go on or behind the axle of the caravan, the fridge and food storage is forwards of the axle.
Do people think this is acceptable? Weighing the items on board now we are at 95Kg of the 210kg allowance so we will not go over gross.
so to follow on with this..
I make a point of checking the nose weight before I head off on holiday, in theory there isn't much weight change over the course of the holiday so the nose weight is not likely to change.
So I just checked the nose weight with the caravan in "ready to go mode" for us that is personal effects not loaded and very little food on board. What do people aim at for nose weight at this stage, My maximum is 90Kg which I was right on for the last trip but had limited time to sort. (Got the caravan the night before going). When measured in this "ready to go mode" it came in at 85Kg, I moved a few things around and got it down to 80Kg.
Clothes all go on or behind the axle of the caravan, the fridge and food storage is forwards of the axle.
Do people think this is acceptable? Weighing the items on board now we are at 95Kg of the 210kg allowance so we will not go over gross.
Sounds like you have the least amount of cargo in caravaning history! 
Honestly, sounds like you'll be fine.
I'm not going to lie - I've never checked my nose weight in the 3 years that I've been towing and I've never had a problem (although we have a twin axle which I think is more forgiving).
I might check mine this time out though, out of interest
Honestly, sounds like you'll be fine.
I'm not going to lie - I've never checked my nose weight in the 3 years that I've been towing and I've never had a problem (although we have a twin axle which I think is more forgiving).
I might check mine this time out though, out of interest
chasingracecars said:
OK,
so to follow on with this..
I make a point of checking the nose weight before I head off on holiday, in theory there isn't much weight change over the course of the holiday so the nose weight is not likely to change.
So I just checked the nose weight with the caravan in "ready to go mode" for us that is personal effects not loaded and very little food on board. What do people aim at for nose weight at this stage, My maximum is 90Kg which I was right on for the last trip but had limited time to sort. (Got the caravan the night before going). When measured in this "ready to go mode" it came in at 85Kg, I moved a few things around and got it down to 80Kg.
Clothes all go on or behind the axle of the caravan, the fridge and food storage is forwards of the axle.
Do people think this is acceptable? Weighing the items on board now we are at 95Kg of the 210kg allowance so we will not go over gross.
Including spare wheel and battery? motor mover? all come out of payload.so to follow on with this..
I make a point of checking the nose weight before I head off on holiday, in theory there isn't much weight change over the course of the holiday so the nose weight is not likely to change.
So I just checked the nose weight with the caravan in "ready to go mode" for us that is personal effects not loaded and very little food on board. What do people aim at for nose weight at this stage, My maximum is 90Kg which I was right on for the last trip but had limited time to sort. (Got the caravan the night before going). When measured in this "ready to go mode" it came in at 85Kg, I moved a few things around and got it down to 80Kg.
Clothes all go on or behind the axle of the caravan, the fridge and food storage is forwards of the axle.
Do people think this is acceptable? Weighing the items on board now we are at 95Kg of the 210kg allowance so we will not go over gross.
As long as it doesn't take the total weight of the caravan anywhere near the maximum towing capacity of the car I usually load everything onto the caravan floor and balance it by distributing the weight so that the nose weight of the caravan somewhere between 50 and 75kg. You can measure this by rolling down the jockey wheel onto the top of a set of bathroom scales or do it by feel, at 50 to 75kg you should be able to lift the towing hitch on to the towball with one hand.
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