What scooter rack ? Or tow bar ?

[Gazza333]

so in my continuing search for a scooter on the back of the motorhome. I've now been to the weighbridge. Done my sums taking into account overhang etc and can just legally a 120 kg scooter and a 30 kg in total weight device for carrying it.

So I guess as I don't currently have a tow bar that I either fit a tow bar and then a carrier system like an easylifter etc but then I don't 100 % understand nose loading.

Or I can have a custom built carrier added to the alko chassis ?

Any advise would be good. I suppose with a tow bar I have the option of towing a trailer or car later if I so desire but I'm not sure of this nose weight bit

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

The nose weight figure is the total weight on the ball so your 120kg scooter plus 30kg rack means you need a nose weight of 150kg minimum capacity.
You say you have done the sums to get to these figures but remember that the rack distance from the ball will increase the weight on the rear axle as the leverage effect multiplies with distance. My scooter at 129kg on a rack weighing 26kg, total 145kg put almost 220kg on the axle!

 

[tonka]

DW has beat me to it.. 120kg on the back end + leverage effect will add a lot more to the axle...

 

[Gazza333]

I've worked those figures out and I'm just in. What I don't understand is 120kg bike 30kg carrier puts 150kg on the tow bar and from what I've seen nose weights on toward are max 95 kg or 120 kg at max so how does everyone manage 150 kg ?

 

[Phillybarbour]

Currently use a Honda PES125 (135kg) on a fixed height easy lifter rack with a ramp which is a brilliant piece of kit, and I can take from van to van.

Weight not a big issue with 1100kg payload and twin axle rear. I up plated the weight to 5300kg to be sure.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

The nose weight is due to the design of the towbar and the chassis so if the chassis has say a 200kg limit, the towbar manufacturer/designer can make a towbar up to this limit.
This of course makes a difference with a rack as it does not impose its load vertically on the ball.