85% critical or nice to have?
Hi, my two berth caravan is 81% of the kerb weight of my 2010 140bhp 2wd Ford Kuga. I'm planning on moving up to a four berth and I know I'll have to upgrade the car but the caravan I'm considering has an MTPLM of 1491kg so I find myself looking at monster 4x4's. The MRO of the caravan is 1337kg so my theory is that if I keep the payload to a minimum I can be a little more relaxed regarding the 85% rule, thus stepping back from the Santa Fe, Sorento, etc. class of vehicle to the likes of the more affordable Tiguan, Kuga, Tucson, etc. I've been towing for 7 years though I only get away about 3 times a year (still working for a living!) so although I'm not a novice I wouldn't say I'm ultra experienced either. An insight into the experiences of others would be helpful, thus constructive comments, views, opinions are welcome!
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There is no such thing as an 85% rule. There may be a recommendation of 85% but it is not some magic figure the other side of which brings catastrophe. Personally I think the focus on a single figure is at best misleading and at worst dangerous. I also fail to understand why you think you need a 'monster' 4x4! You could end up with an outfit at 80% that tows like pig just as easily as one at 93% like I have (Passat Alltrack towing a Sprite Quattro EW) that tows like a dream.
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The concept of a 'monster 4x4' is open to personal interpretation. I tow an 1800kg caravan with a car that I wouldn't describe as a 'monster 4x4'.
Besides, the weight ratio recommendation is based on the MTPLM of the caravan and not its actual weight, so it doesn't matter how big or small the payload is.
Flatcoat is right. The 85% figure is totally arbitrary and could just as well be 80% or 90% (or anything else). No-one has ever shown that something magic happens when you go over 85% that is a recipe for certain disaster. It's just a rule of thumb.
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Coming out into the open at the top of the M62 on a blustery day with an HGV whizzing past is when 65% seems like a better idea!
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That may be so, but the OP says that the car is only going to be used to tow a caravan about 3 times a year. It seems like a big waste to lug a lot of deadweight along the rest of the time just to achieve a weight ratio of 65% for the few occasions when towing.
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Our caravan has an MPTLM of 1495kg I tow with a 2005 Nissan X-Trail with BHP of 136. Car with 90% fuel and 75kg for driver etc plus towbar weighs 1725kg. Towing has not been a problem. I tow over 3,000 miles a year and have done for the last 10 years.
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As has been said 85% is a guide aimed at novices; it's you choice to exceed it or not depending on your own perceived abilities.
The only slight problem that I can see is that one doesn't know one's limits until they have been exceeded.
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Indeed, as I was taught : judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgements
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Hi WB
You don't mention what your current 2 berth MTPLM is, but 81% of a 2WD Kuga at 1585kg KW would put it about 1280kg.
So you are considering a 4 berth at 1491kg, a 210kg increase taking the ratio to approx 94%. Every bit of your current payload you take out will narrow the gap, but in real world you are unlikely to reduce your payload significantly.
Unfortunately there are so many variables in this situation we can't help all being a bit confused, some would say paranoid.
How stable do you feel with your current rig?
If you feel rock solid now, all things being equal, may not be a problem at all, it's just a number.
If on the other hand you feel a bit nervous or nominal now, say in high winds, HGV's etc, then I would not exacerbate the problem.I was in a similar dilemma, so I borrowed a heavier van for a little tug about. Over a challenging mixed route, I could not feel any difference in comfort, stability, power etc, so went for it.
If that not possible, but you feel rock solid now, suck it and see, be sensible and you may be pleasantly surprised.
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Runrig is spot on with 1280kg, I have a Bailey Genoa MTPLM 1289kg, my present Kuga has plenty power to pull it with ease and it's all very stable. I want to stay in that comfort zone with my new outfit which is why I'm being careful but I think the message I'm getting is that whilst trying to stay as close to the guideline as possible I should have a little more confidence in my own driving and loading abilities. Thanks for all your comments, very helpful.
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We tow our 2016 Elddis Affinity 550 (MLPTM 1457Kg) with our trusty 2004 BMW 320D estate (kerbweight 1580 Kg) at around 92% weight ratio.
The outfit is not stable. We've acted on all sorts of advice from Elddis, the CC and other "experts" and whatever we try the instability remains a problem. The car towed our previous Avondale as if it wasn't there, so this has been a big disappointment.
By keeping our speed down to 50 - 55 MPH we're "managing" the situation but will have to face investing in a heavier car later this year. The only alternative is to change the caravan but this one works well for us.
Shame, as the beemer has been economical and totally reliable over 128,000 miles. In hindsight it would've been nice to "try before we buy the caravan".
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Yes 85% is only a recommendation, but a much better one than when we started towing when it was 100cc engine to 1ft of caravan - our 1176cc Viva was struggling with a 12'4" van! Fortunately we were hiring so weren't lumbered with the problem.
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I agree that the 85% figure is not a rule but sound advice for novices wanting to tow. The clubs position appears to be you can exceed this if you are more experienced and do not exceed the cars kerb weight. personally I would draw the line at 95% but try to keep it lower.
All cars and combinations are not the same and the safe limit of any car or combination is not easy to assess so caution is the best idea.
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Yes I agree. The one option I have considered is to hire a towcar with towball fitted for just one day. We've considered hiring a BMW X3, and it is possible to get one with a towbar already fitted (we just googled "hire a car with towball"), however the cost is £250 and it would have to be collected at the nearest Railway Station. We would have to collect it then drive home to pick up our caravan for a test tow. It may be cheaper than buying the "wrong" towcar however.
Still under consideration.
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Wildwood and Runrig are giving wise advice! Yes the 85% is not law, it is merely advice, but it is advice you would be well advised to heed.
I have been caravanning since 1976, - 40 years! And still very actively enjoy caravanning, However even with my experience, I still stay well within that guidance. I am towing a 1640 Kg caravan with a heavy V6 Merc 4x4. Its 3.litre engine means that I am never concerned re stability, or any inability to cope with wet ferry ramps etc.
I accept without reservation that not everybody will want to go to that level, but for the sake of your family and your own peace of mind, do not tow any caravan that is marginal in respect of being suitably matched to your car. Don't risk becoming yet another statistic on the accident reports!
TF
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Hi WalkingBoots - I've towed our 1450kg Bailey for the last few years with Kugas and never ever had a problem. They pull like a train and are very stable at motorway speeds and on country lanes - mind, they were/are the 4x4 variety and the latest (2015) is the 180bhp version. We've just returned from Venice and the Kuga performed brilliantly. If you don't caravan that often do you really need to change your vehicle?
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