Loading the Caravan

Some items mostly stay in the caravan, these are...

Overview of the layout of the caravan. The end kitchen puts weight at the rear, not ideal.	But it does allow, two gas cylinders and a spare tyre in the front locker and it is still easy to get the correct noseweight.	The Aquaroll and wastemaster containers are put in the bathroom.
The water pump and washup things in the kitchen sink.	Under the kitchen sink, dustpan and plate rack.	Still in the kitchen area, a pull out rack with small bottles of toilet fluids and some cleaning materials.
Top locker nearside rear, just a few light things. All other top lockers are empty for travelling.	Wardrobe located over the nearside wheelarch. Small table and the tv (with its homemade cover)	Below and slightly forward, a small hand held hoover.
Forward of that the front seating area. Blow -up matress, rucksack and a small tent.	The front chest. Tablecloth and mats. Hairdrier, tissues and a small mirror.	Seating area on the offside. Couple of sleeping bags. Some pillows normally go on top.
And finally, under the seating in the side dinette. A satellite system.

Now to load up with the extra things that are stored on the floor area.

I always put some thin non slip matting down, I think it helps to stop things moving on the carpet.	Over the wheelarch a box with crockery and kitchen equipment. An oil filled radiator and some safety kit.	Next in, another box which has the jack, a warning triangle and some bits for the awning. Two lightweight recliners and the porch awning(sometimes goes in the car)
Followed by, a Lockloy leveller, small step, a bag of rock pegs and an aluminium table (used in the porch)	Lastly, a Cadac, the groundsheet and not shown; the tv aerial, toolbox and hook-up cable.

Now to check the nose-weight, in my case it is 75kg.

The side steadies and one of the rears are wound fully up, the other rear, up about 150mm, just in case I need to go back in the caravan to adjust the weight distribution.	The scales, ply wood and sawn broom handle that are kept in the front locker are set up to measure the noseweight. The handbrake is applied if not already done so.	Winding down the jockey wheel. the weight of the nose can be read, it should be 75kg, this shows it to be slightly over. Because it needs less weight, it means some of the load will have to be moved further back towards the axle.
After winding a rear steady down. The correct noseweight is achieved by moving the things in the centre back a little. Through practice you seem to get an idea how much to move them.	Another check of the noseweight, showning just under, that will do me!	Put the scales away, stow the chocks,step and wind up the rear steady. Bailey 94 is ready for the off.

I have always loaded the caravan like this, with most of the weight on the floor. I have never had a problem with the caravan being unstable while towing. And the nose weight is checked before every journey.

In the car goes all the other things needed for the holiday.

The caravan wheel pressures are checked at the same time as the car, usually just before hitching up.

Note: What size is the broom handle?  I measured the height of the towball on the car, just about to the top from the ground. The broom handle size is this figure less the height of the scales and plywood. Doing it this way ensures I measure the noseweight for MY car.

 Page Created 6th January 2010