Noseweight (Drawbar Load)
Noseweight is the vertical force a towed caravan transfers from the tip of its drawbar to the towball of the tow vehicle. It is part of the total mass of the caravan, but it rests on the tow vehicle rather than on the axle. Its value may not exceed the lowest of the limits permitted by the caravan, the towbar and the tow vehicle.
Noseweight is measured at the towball level while the caravan is held horizontal. The loading arrangement is directly decisive: putting heavy items ahead of the axle increases the noseweight, putting them behind it reduces it.
- Too low a noseweight: the caravan becomes prone to sway; this is dangerous for road safety.
- Too high a noseweight: the front axle of the tow vehicle is unloaded and steering and braking behaviour deteriorate.
- Limits: there are three separate limits given by the caravan manufacturer, the towbar maker and the tow vehicle manufacturer; the lowest one applies.
- Measurement: it is measured with a noseweight gauge or a scale, with the caravan horizontal.
The position of added equipment such as a levelling system feeds into this balance. A heavy component placed towards the front increases the noseweight. Re-measuring the noseweight after equipment is added keeps both the sway risk and the legal limits under control.
Context in which this term is used: RV automatic levelling guide