Noseweight advice
I've been doing my homework in preparation for picking up our Troll 542 soon. I'm not an experienced caravanner. The 542 weighs approx 1100kg empty as configured and its max laden weight is 1400kg. Let's assume for the purpose of this query it'll be loaded up to or very near the max.
The Caravan Club advice online says that the noseweight should be 5-7% of the laden weight, ie. 70-98kg. My Touareg has a maximum drawbar load of 140kg. All good I thought until I spotted the following in the Touareg manual:
"In the interest of road safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always transport the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small."
This would put the noseweight at 140kg or 10%+ of the caravan weight and 50-100% more than the CC advice. Do the panel have any views?
Many thanks,
Simon
Simon & Amanda - Troll 542 GT + VW Touareg.
RE: Noseweight advice
in Anything Eriba-related Wed Jan 12, 2022 5:29 pmby eribaMotters • | 5.590 Posts
Simon, the 5-7% is a good guide to work around, but it is not gospel, only something to work around. Your Touareg has a very high max drawbar load as most of us typically have about 75/80kg as a max. I believe the max on the caravan hitch is 100kg.
I've ran VW Touran, Skoda Yeti and currently Audi A3 towing 500kg trailer tent through to 1300kg Troll. All have towed best around 55/60kg and not at the 75/80kg max.
Aim for 70/90kg as you do not want to hit the 100kg max for the van and all should be well.
Have you specified the ALKO premium jockey wheel with built in nose weight gauge?
Colin
Forum Moderator. aka Oscar - Audi A3 1.5 petrol _ ex 430, 552, camplet trailer tent, 310, now a nice white 2017 430.
RE: Noseweight advice
in Anything Eriba-related Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:33 pmby Simon Walker (deleted)
Thank you Colin. The max Eriba hitch weight was a missing piece of the puzzle I'd overlooked. I'll go by your advice.
Thanks again.
Simon
Simon & Amanda - Troll 542 GT + VW Touareg.
RE: Noseweight advice
in Anything Eriba-related Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:06 pmby eribaMotters • | 5.590 Posts
Simon, they have the Premium jockey wheels on the new Feeling and Nova Light up for sale. I'd ask a cheeky "any chance of swapping one over please". It would probably be a no but you might get very lucky or just £50 please lucky.
Colin
Forum Moderator. aka Oscar - Audi A3 1.5 petrol _ ex 430, 552, camplet trailer tent, 310, now a nice white 2017 430.
RE: Noseweight advice
in Anything Eriba-related Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:04 pmby Tin Head • | 49 Posts
Hi Simon We have a 542 ( great choice by the way we love ours ) and tow it with our Skoda Scout D Estate and the nose weight never goes above 65 whatever I seem to do all I do know is that it tows beautifully with no problems.
Enjoy your travels and adventures
Kind Regards
Martin
Martin & Jackie, Skoda Octavia Scout and our 542GT 60th Edition 2018.
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