Loading up your caravan or trailer safely to avoid snaking
Discussion
I just saw this and thought it a very good demonstration for anyone new to towing:
https://www.facebook.com/diplytech/videos/14161548...
It's one of the scariest feelings in the World when you get a waggle on at high speed with a badly weighted trailer.
https://www.facebook.com/diplytech/videos/14161548...
It's one of the scariest feelings in the World when you get a waggle on at high speed with a badly weighted trailer.
What they don't demonstrate is putting heavy stuff over the axle. There's a limit as to how much weight you want on the nose as well though loading up to within ~5-10kg of you car / tow bar's nose weight limit is a good target. But yeah ultimately keep the weight as far forward as you can.
I remember the first time we took away my parents Landcruiser + big twin axle Caravelair outfit - got a HUGE snake on at about 3am on the motorway - we were across all 3 lanes and the hard shoulder!!!
It was odd, as we were well loaded and only doing about 50.
When one of the caravan wheels fell off the next day near Nonancourt we found out the cause
It was odd, as we were well loaded and only doing about 50.
When one of the caravan wheels fell off the next day near Nonancourt we found out the cause
The answer is to get a noseweight gauge and load your caravan to the maximum your car allows, normally around 75kg. Then re-weigh every time you leave. I was amazed at how much difference there was when apparently loading the same way.
Unfortunately very few caravan owners seem to know what a noseweight gauge is, let alone use one.
I used to get asked what I was doing regularly. When I explained the usual response was along the lines of how experienced they were and didn't need to bother.
I am surprised you don't see more flatpacked caravans on motorways with the contents spread over all 3 lanes.
Unfortunately very few caravan owners seem to know what a noseweight gauge is, let alone use one.
I used to get asked what I was doing regularly. When I explained the usual response was along the lines of how experienced they were and didn't need to bother.
I am surprised you don't see more flatpacked caravans on motorways with the contents spread over all 3 lanes.
The answer is to get a noseweight gauge and load your caravan to the maximum your car allows, normally around 75kg. Then re-weigh every time you leave. I was amazed at how much difference there was when apparently loading the same way.
Unfortunately very few caravan owners seem to know what a noseweight gauge is, let alone use one.
I used to get asked what I was doing regularly. When I explained the usual response was along the lines of how experienced they were and didn't need to bother.
I am surprised you don't see more flatpacked caravans on motorways with the contents spread over all 3 lanes.
Unfortunately very few caravan owners seem to know what a noseweight gauge is, let alone use one.
I used to get asked what I was doing regularly. When I explained the usual response was along the lines of how experienced they were and didn't need to bother.
I am surprised you don't see more flatpacked caravans on motorways with the contents spread over all 3 lanes.
I was told those noseweight gauges were useless as the readings weren't consistent?
I don't stick anything in the compartment under the rear bunks and most of the stuff is within 2 metres of the axle, either in front or on it. Most of our vans storage is quite central though, no wardrobe at the back, just shower, toilet and bunks.
I've had the odd wobble at french speed limits or overtaking big heavies but it's usually pretty solid. Had a brown trouser moment once when cresting a dual carriageway and found queing traffic just over it. Locked the brakes up but the van never swayed. It's a 76% match so a fairly heavy Accord estate with a fairly light Bailey Pursuit on the back
I don't stick anything in the compartment under the rear bunks and most of the stuff is within 2 metres of the axle, either in front or on it. Most of our vans storage is quite central though, no wardrobe at the back, just shower, toilet and bunks.
I've had the odd wobble at french speed limits or overtaking big heavies but it's usually pretty solid. Had a brown trouser moment once when cresting a dual carriageway and found queing traffic just over it. Locked the brakes up but the van never swayed. It's a 76% match so a fairly heavy Accord estate with a fairly light Bailey Pursuit on the back
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