What do I need if I want to carry bikes on my roof.

[BTB 500]

no because the actual noseweight would be 75kg, not 25kg. Of course, if you removed the bikes you would need to put some weight back on.

The caravan would need to be balanced to a noseweight of 25 kg, which would be unstable. Hanging some bikes on the back of the car (on the towbar or anywhere else) wouldn't change that.

If the bikes were mounted on the front of the caravan it would be OK, but you'd need to move some major items around to keep the noseweight to 75 kg. For one thing this might not be achievable, and for another you could easily create a 'dumbell' setup with heavy weights at front and back ... which is potentially dangerous. And you'd have to re-balance if you towed with less (or no) bikes next time. Not ideal.

 

[BTB 500]

All the ones I have looked at have 75Kg as the limit. Do you know ones that have a greater limit?

My Sharan is 85 kg, I think quite a few 4x4s have 100 kg.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

Just like to say that I agree and thank BTB 500.
All that he writes is correct. It's nice to meet another caravaner that understands weight and it's distribution.

Looks like I will be going to Halfords.

BTW; I just looked in my hand book and my nose weight is 84 kgs and 2100 kgs for a braked trailer so does that mean I can tow a total weight of 2184 kgs?

 

[Dieselman]

As long as it is braked and the whole combo doesn't exceed the maximum train weight.

 

[BTB 500]

BTW; I just looked in my hand book and my nose weight is 84 kgs and 2100 kgs for a braked trailer so does that mean I can tow a total weight of 2184 kgs?

No, you it means you can tow a braked trailer of 2100 kg ... subject to the maximum train weight mentioned by Dieselman (that's the combined weight of car and trailer, which will be specified elsewhere in your handbook). The noseweight of 84 kg is the maximum downward force you're allowed to have on the car's towbar.

Having said all of that, with a caravan (as opposed to a trailer) it's not recommended to pull one that exceeds 85% of the car's kerbweight. With care you can go up to 100% of the car's weight, but not any heavier.

So for pulling a caravan the maximum weight allowed is either the car's braked trailer towing limit, or the car's kerbweight (ideally 85% of the kerbweight) - whichever figure is the lower.

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks Bill. I didn't spot the weight of 2184Kg, I though it said 2100kg.

 

[Subyland]

I also understand weight distribution and I am not advocating to compensate weight on the front with weight on the far back. It all depends on individual cases, on the weight of the bikes and the support. That said, some caravan manufacturers (mainly German) make it easier to do it by having a longer drawbar to keep the weight closer to the axle and a very low ex-works noseweight so that you can load your van reasonably well. And remember that 10 more kilos in the gas locker does not necessarily mean 10 more kilos noseweight.

 

[Subyland]

So for pulling a caravan the maximum weight allowed is either the car's braked trailer towing limit, or the car's kerbweight (ideally 85% of the kerbweight) - whichever figure is the lower.

I agree with the 85%(or 100%) guideline but I don't think you can legally oppose it to someone towing a trailer heavier than their car provided they are within the limits as specified by the car manufacturer.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

I understand the 85% suggestion, I think it's recommended by the Caravan Club.
What about people with Discovery's. They weigh nearly 2 tonnes but can tow 3.5 legally (and don't need a Tachograph)
It seems that most cars are plated to tow more than their own kerb weight.
eg; Mondeo estate weighs 1500 but is plated at 1800.
W210 weighs 1800, plated at 2100.
Trouble is, some people tow to the limit and over.
Why don't the police clamp down, like with overloaded trucks. Motorways would be a safer place come holiday time.

 

[Dieselman]

Why don't the police clamp down, like with overloaded trucks. Motorways would be a safer place come holiday time.

Now wouldn't that be an interesting survey. Check all cars towing caravans for nose weight, caravan weight and train weight.
Particularly and car involved in an accident.

 

[BTB 500]

I agree with the 85%(or 100%) guideline but I don't think you can legally oppose it to someone towing a trailer heavier than their car provided they are within the limits as specified by the car manufacturer.

For drivers who passed their test before Jan 1st 1997 that is true, although you could potentially be prosecuted for driving an "unroadworthy" outfit if it's demonstrably unstable.

A 1997 onward driver with a Category B licence can only legally tow a caravan up to 100 percent of the unladen weight of their car (or the manufacturer's towing limit, if less). Unladen weight is not often quoted, but is typically about 130 kg less than the car's kerbweight.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

Now wouldn't that be an interesting survey. Check all cars towing caravans for nose weight, caravan weight and train weight.
Particularly and car involved in an accident.

I wouldn't mind if they licenced caravans, saying that, not many young drivers take the additional trailer test.
Once all the oldies are gone there won't be many caravaner's left.
At what age can you take the trailer test.

 

[BTB 500]

Now wouldn't that be an interesting survey. Check all cars towing caravans for nose weight, caravan weight and train weight.
Particularly and car involved in an accident.

That's starting to happen, the Police set up a roadside check in a layby and pull in every other caravan on a popular holiday route. They do check all the weights, including noseweight.

Biggest cause of accidents is probably perished and/or under-inflated tyres. Caravan tyres never wear significantly and really need to be replaced every 5 or so years as the sidewalls start to crack and delaminate. They also run at pretty high pressures (e.g. 63 PSI for mine), so need frequent checking and topping up. Unfortunately many people are too lazy and/or stupid to do this. For additional peace of mind I have Tyron bands fitted to my caravan wheels, these keep the tyre on the rim in the event of a blowout.

Caravan accidents look spectacular but statiscally there aren't actually that many, and they rarely result in injury. This was looked at a couple of years ago when deciding whether an "MOT" type scheme should be introduced for caravans ... the conclusion was that it wasn't justified.

 

[A210AMG]

Gary.

"Once all the oldies are gone there won't be many caravaner's left"

I caravan and am off next week for a week in the Lakes whats wrong with that....?

Heres my last car towing (oh and I'm relatively young)

Cheers

 

[Dieselman]

Is there only 75kg pushing down on the towball in that picture?

 

[A210AMG]

Diselman,

Yes actually slightly less, the van is an end kitchen so most of weight their. We have one gas bottle and spare in front locker. The tv and other heavy items (fridge includes) are over the centre wheels.

I know this as we use a noseweight gadget. Why ask?

The car was a M-sport version and I had 19" alloys so may look lower than 'normal' car. Even without the van it was low

 

[DansSlk]

Not that it matters now mate but we've worked on loads of that particular BM what with it being a popular model and from that last pic it looks in trouble.

Yeah they sit low but not like that

 

[Dieselman]

That's why I asked. It's too low at the rear only. Possibly the towing has taken the springs out.

 

[A210AMG]

last pic it looks in trouble

Please explain??

I've been on the BMW forums regularly and various shows, the car was serviced at both a BMW specialist and Haliwel Jones BMW in Chester. Never had a problem with it??

So not quite sure how from a picture its in trouble???

 

[A210AMG]

posted twice..oops