Travel trailer nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing

by | Aug 7, 2020 | Caravan/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension, Articles, CMB, Health & Safety, Roll

by Collyn Rivers

Travel Trailer Nose Weight

Optimising travel trailer nose weight is vital for safe towing. RV Books’ Collyn Rivers shows why, and how to know what it should really be.

A billiard cue thrown light-end first rapidly changes ends. It becomes heavy-end first. Likewise, unless travel trailers are nose-heavy, they try to do the same.

Travel trailer nose weight, however, levers up the front of the tow vehicle. This reduces weight on its front tyres, that reduces their ‘cornering power’, i.e, it tends to oppose it moving in any but a straight line. This, (to put it mildly) is not desirable. It is even less so if needing to swerve to avoid a collision.

Travel trailer nose weight

Early Australian-made travel trailers were typically 4-5 metres long. They weighed 1000-1200 kg. Most had centre kitchens and thus (usefully) centre-heavy. Few were towed above 80 km/h. Keeping them reasonably stable required a nose weight of 7%-10%.

Particularly from 2015, tow vehicles of 2-2.5 tonne led to maker producing longer and heavier twin-axle travel trailers. Many such travel trailers well exceed their tow vehicle’s weight. Furthermore, many are towed at well over 100 km/h.

Travel trailer length

Within reason, a travel trailer‘s weight is less of an issue than its length. And particularly where weight is distributed along that length. The closer that weight is to the axle/s the better. Ideally, the A-frame should carry no load. Furthermore (and vital) nothing heavy should be at its rear. In addition, personal loading should be likewise. If your travel trailer is like that, a nose weight of 7% should suffice.

Travel trailer nose weight. Weight distribution shown as cartoon of a see-saw with different sized people at different distances from the fulcrum..

The effect of weight depends on where it is located. Pic: original source unknown.

The ongoing quest for reducing emissions includes reducing vehicle weight. That, as a result, reduced their allowable hitch weight. UK and EU travel trailer makers accordingly produced lighter travel trailers. Most weigh about 40% less per metre than the local product. They have minimal rear-end weight. Most have a nose weight of around 5%. European research, however, indicates that 6-7% is preferable.

In Australia, despite now lighter towing vehicles, most new travel trailers remain 6-7 metres long. They typically weigh 2 to 2.4 tonne unladen. To enable them to be towed by vehicles typically much lighter, unladen nose weights are, however, now around 4%.

This now very low nose weight is of concern. This is because there is a long-proven correlation between a travel trailer‘s nose weight and the road speed at which it is likely to sway. The lower the nose weight, the lower that speed.

What makers suggest

Some travel trailer makers have ceased recommending nose weight. Many quote the unladen tow ball weight only. Notwithstanding that such weight may be well below optimum, it is only possible (legally), to advise buyers to follow maker recommendations. RV Books, however, does not necessarily endorse such recommendations.

Where no maker recommends otherwise, and where the tow vehicle allows it, use 8%-10% nose weight. For EU-style travel trailers use 6%-8%.

Off-road travel trailer nose weight

It is very rare to see a heavy ‘off-road travel trailer‘ being driven truly off-road. Many Travel trailers, however, buy such travel trailers assuming that they are better made. Some such travel trailers, however, weigh over 3.5 tonne. These really do need at least 2500 kg (5500 lb) nose weight (and preferably 3500 kg [7715 lb]). If buying, I recommend one no longer than 5 metres.

It is not feasible to suggest an off-road travel trailer‘s nose weight – except it should as much as the tow vehicle, travel trailer and tow hitch maker allows. Or, if lower, not towed above 80 km/h.

Weight Distribution Hitches (WDHs)

Unless towed by a vehicle that’s heavier, a WDH is usually required. Adjusting this to correct only 50% or so of nose weight assists towing stability. See weight-distribution-hitch-setting-up.

Image of a small pickup towing too much travel trailer nose weight - a huge travel trailer.

‘You want your money back!?’ – I told you it could be towed by your pick-up truck. I never said you should! Pic: agcoauto

How to measure travel trailer nose weight

Bathroom scales typically weigh up to 185 kg. To weigh more than that (using such scales) see: https://hildstrom.com/projects/2011/07/tonguescale/index.html

Note: It is technically correct to refer to nose mass (rather than weight). For the purposes of this article, however, the two may be seen as identical.

For an overall view see also:

https://rvbooks.com.au/reducing-caravan-sway/

https://rvbooks.com.au/making-caravans-stable/

https://rvbooks.com.au/caravan-and-tow-vehicle-dynamics/

https://rvbooks.com.au/fifth-wheel-caravans-safer/

Collyn Rivers’ in-depth books cover every aspect of camper-trailer, travel trailer and motorhome buying, design, building and use. They include the Caravan & Motorhome Book, the Camper Trailer Book and Caravan & Motorhome Electrics, Solar is covered in Solar That Really Works, for cabins and RVs. Solar Success is for homes and properties.

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers travel trailer stability in depth.

If you find this article of value, please assist others by posting this Link on related travel trailer forum queries.

My articles in this area primarily summarize current thinking. They stem from my interest and involvement while employed by Vauxhall/Bedford’s Research Dept in the 1950s, and particularly by the influence of Maurice Olley.

Maurice Olley was born in Yorkshire in the late-1800s. Following time as Rolls-Royce’s Chief Engineer, he worked with General Motors Research Division. He later returned to Vauxhall Motors (UK). I was privileged to attend his lectures during my years at Vauxhall Motors Chaul End Research Centre.

Collyn Rivers is a semi-retired automobile research engineer.  He is the author of seven books, five of which are about making RVs and solar work optimally.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1