Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10355
Milenco noseweight gauge
Guys
I have a milenco noseweight gauge to check the caravan’s noseweight, had it quite a while, as used to stick the jockey wheel on the bathroom scales.
We have recently changed our ‘van and when I checked the new noseweight after moving all our contents over, it was showing only 50kg, which seemed a bit light. Even with our big awning upfront the gauge was only showing 80kg.
So when getting the ‘van out of storage today I thought I’d check again. The gauge showed 80kg, the bathroom scales showed 110kg. Now I know I failed my physics “O” level 50 years ago, but I thought the “weight” would have been higher at the hitch, this being further out than the jockey wheel, giving more “leverage”, or have I got that the wrong way round.
Every T/A van we have had has run at about 100kg noseweight, this Coachman T/A seems to be a bit light, given it’s the same layout as our previous Elddis.
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13th Mar 2024 6:43 pm
ronald.soak
Member Since: 29 Apr 2008
Location: London
Posts: 534
I think that is the wrong way round.
My reasoning is that if you extended the drawbar a sufficient, and unrealistic amount, you would be able to lift it with one finger, As in "give me a lever long enough and a place to rest it and I could move the world."
Edit this is actually the opposite of your case but the principle of a long lever and my reasoning remains true.
The force you need to apply to lift the drawbar is equal to the force it applies downwards on the towball.
13th Mar 2024 10:56 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
I agree, my metaphor is to think of a pair of nutcrackers. The force is greater further towards the hinge point (pivot point) not the handle end.
I think TA vans also measure nose ball weight a bit inconsistently as they don't truly pivot on a centre axle. When I had a TA van I also found that around 98kg measured via Milenco gauge (whatever it actually was in reality) gave the best towing experience. It's amazing how little you need to adjust load to impact it, whilst still trying to avoid see-saw effect.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
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14th Mar 2024 11:48 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4525
I think what you're getting at Al, is that you measured the 'nose weight' with bathroom scales on the jockey wheel, but at the hitch with the nose Milenco.
Yes, the load at the jockey wheel would show more than the at hitch. But whether it would be 30kg different I can't say.
Bare in mind, neither the Milenco or the bathroom scales are are calibrated instruments.
Twin axles make a nose weight more difficult to measure, because the height of the hitch from the ground will also have an effect on the load. You really need to measure it at the towing height, on a flat surface. If your Milenco shows 80-100kg at towing height, that would be a good start.Richard
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14th Mar 2024 12:55 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10355
Ok, looks like I had my theory the wrong way round.
Anyway, looks like this Coachman (Acadia 660 extra) with all our stuff in, seems to be 50/55kg noseweight using the milenco. A bit lighter than any of our previous ‘vans so will see what our next outing tows like.
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14th Mar 2024 2:51 pm
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 343
how did your first outing go ?
i towed our tin tent the other day for the first time ever, nose weight with my calibrated milenco was 95kg. dont know if thats good or bad. i know its in spechad a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
12th Apr 2024 8:42 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
95-100kg worked well for me and from what I have red, many others too
FWIW, my D4 was always more sensitive to having a good nose weight and I could feel slight differences in it. With the FFRR I rarely felt any effect of the caravan on the rear whatsoever, it was an incredible tow vehicleD4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
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12th Apr 2024 8:52 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10355
At 60 kg on the outbound run it felt slightly twitchy, so on the run home I left the front water tank full and this picked the noseweight up to 75kg, and it felt more settled, so this is how I’ll run with it next time out.
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Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
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12th Apr 2024 10:11 am
qcnr
Member Since: 23 Nov 2017
Location: Norway
Posts: 117
When was the last time either were calibrated? Don't forget there could also be variance in the devices used for the measurements.
My motorbike speedo shows 60Km/hr my GPS shows 55....
12th Apr 2024 11:11 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
I'm adamant my bathroom scales over-read by about 3 stone D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
12th Apr 2024 11:20 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10355
You must have brought the same scales as we have
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
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