Hi all-
I don't know if this is the correct part of the forum to post this, moderators please move to better location.
I have seen various posts where people are discussing appropriate nose weights for tow hitches and bike carriers.
As a general rule of thumb, when using a tow hitch ensure the downward mass on a towball is roughly 10% of the mass being towed.
So if you are towing a trailer that weighs 300kg add the load being carried-say 3 e-bikes about 90kg if you put a few other bits and pieces, bags etc., 450 kg load overall you would need to spread the load so the downward weight on the tow-hitch is no more than 50kg and no less than 35kg. It is not absolutely necessary to get it to the exact kilo or two, as long as it's in the ball park somewhere near 10% it will be fine.
Too much weight and the steering is affected, too little and swaying can occur.
There is a plate fitted to vehicles that have tow-hitches fitted which should give details of towing parameters, but many are a bit vague or hard to read. The manufacturers handbooks are generally written for multiple vehicle models and engine types and it can be very confusing to work out the parameters of your particular model, engine size, body shape etc. from the tables provided.
As far as bike carriers fitted directly to the tow-hitch, the nose-weight rules do not apply as there are no rear wheels to spread the load, just ensure the total mass of the carrier and load is not so heavy as to affect the steering, or no more than 70kg for a small city car.
As with everything else, use common-sense when attaching anything to your vehicle - as the driver you are responsible.
The situation that these rules are designed to address are the dangerous events that can occur when a load of mulch/sand/earth/gravel is dumped into a trailer loaned by a garden centre and towed by a small car which is grossly overloaded with the load unevenly spread at the front of the trailer that puts so much downward pressure on the tow-hitch the front wheels are almost off the ground. Go to any garden centre on the weekend and you will see these events unfold before your eyes-not so much here in the UK but certainly in Australia.
I have a trailer business and have done research both in Australia where my business is and the European regulations from which the Australian rules are derived.
Tony.
I don't know if this is the correct part of the forum to post this, moderators please move to better location.
I have seen various posts where people are discussing appropriate nose weights for tow hitches and bike carriers.
As a general rule of thumb, when using a tow hitch ensure the downward mass on a towball is roughly 10% of the mass being towed.
So if you are towing a trailer that weighs 300kg add the load being carried-say 3 e-bikes about 90kg if you put a few other bits and pieces, bags etc., 450 kg load overall you would need to spread the load so the downward weight on the tow-hitch is no more than 50kg and no less than 35kg. It is not absolutely necessary to get it to the exact kilo or two, as long as it's in the ball park somewhere near 10% it will be fine.
Too much weight and the steering is affected, too little and swaying can occur.
There is a plate fitted to vehicles that have tow-hitches fitted which should give details of towing parameters, but many are a bit vague or hard to read. The manufacturers handbooks are generally written for multiple vehicle models and engine types and it can be very confusing to work out the parameters of your particular model, engine size, body shape etc. from the tables provided.
As far as bike carriers fitted directly to the tow-hitch, the nose-weight rules do not apply as there are no rear wheels to spread the load, just ensure the total mass of the carrier and load is not so heavy as to affect the steering, or no more than 70kg for a small city car.
As with everything else, use common-sense when attaching anything to your vehicle - as the driver you are responsible.
The situation that these rules are designed to address are the dangerous events that can occur when a load of mulch/sand/earth/gravel is dumped into a trailer loaned by a garden centre and towed by a small car which is grossly overloaded with the load unevenly spread at the front of the trailer that puts so much downward pressure on the tow-hitch the front wheels are almost off the ground. Go to any garden centre on the weekend and you will see these events unfold before your eyes-not so much here in the UK but certainly in Australia.
I have a trailer business and have done research both in Australia where my business is and the European regulations from which the Australian rules are derived.
Tony.
