CORRECT NOSE WEIGHT
Try to distribute the load as evenly as possible to ensure that the nose weight does not exceed the weight stamped on the coupling head, normally 50–80 kg. If the nose weight is too high or too low, it could affecting road-holding and even cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
The nose weight is the force your car’s towball is exposed to. The optimum nose weight – normally between 50 and 80 kg – is stated in the instruction manual, on the coupling head and on the car’s registration certificate.
How to measure the nose weight
Either by using a nose weight gauge or by placing a bathroom scale under the trailer jockey wheel when the trailer is disconnected from the car.
If the nose weight is too low, it means that the trailer is tail-heavy, leading to:
• the outfit becoming unstable, with a risk of wobbling
• longer braking distance
• dipped headlights having shorter reach
• reduced traction in rear-wheel-drive cars
If the nose weight is too high, it means that the trailer is nose-heavy, leading to:
• dipped headlights, blinding other drivers
• impaired steering
• impaired traction in front-wheel-drive cars
Distribute the load as evenly as possible.
Place heavy goods right on top of or just in front of the axle (pair of wheels) on the trailer.
Right! An evenly distributed load results in correct nose weigh
Wrong! A tail-heavy load results in too low nose weight. The coupling system is pushed upwards and the rear wheels of the towing vehicle are raised, with a risk of the trailer swaying or wobbling, causing you to lose control of the vehicle.
Wrong! A nose-heavy load results in too high nose weight and results in the front wheels of the towing vehicle losing friction.