Towing Guide - Flipbook - Page 11
LOADING A CARAVAN
Important guidelines:
Never exceed the MTPLM
Remember that the weight of any
optional extras that you may have
added will need to be considered in
your overall weight calculations, e.g. a
caravan mover.
In general, the higher the
noseweight, the better the stability of
the combination.
Experience shows that noseweight
in the region of 5% to 7% of the
actual laden weight of the caravan is
safe and normally achievable. More
noseweight is safer still but only if the
characteristics of your outfit permit
it. Adequate noseweight is essential
to ensure good stability for the
combination at speeds especially above
50mph.
The way in which the caravan is
loaded is critical and will affect your
caravan’s noseweight. The positioning
of items within your caravan may affect
its stability and noseweight applied
to the towing vehicle - heavy items
placed at the front and rear or stored
at height could destabilise the caravan
under tow. The safest course is to place
heavy items directly on the floor, close
to the caravan axle, which will allow
you to achieve the correct noseweight.
All loads should be restrained, as loose
items within a caravan can move and
create an unstable condition.
When loading a twin axle caravan,
consideration should be given to the
load carried by each axle.
Stability enhancement devices such
as a mechanical stabiliser or electronic
stability control system should never
be used as a remedial measure when
a caravan/car combination has poor
stability. However, such aids can make a
well- balanced caravan/car combination
easier to handle on poor roads and in
windy conditions.
Mechanical Stabiliser
Electronic stabiliser
NCC Caravan Towing Guide 11
