Twin axle stability and 85%
I am considering buying a twin axle caravan which has some big negatives (such as much harder to manouevre on site and at home/storage) but the positive I am hoping for is more stable towing (compared to single axle). However, this 85% guidance does not seem to take into account whether you have a twin axle, or come to it ALKO ATC. Anyone have any thoughts on this, can I consider having a twin with ATC gets me say 5% credit so I can use 90%?
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I think you've covered this in the other thread.
I refer you to my points made there.
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I could not follow all the figures in your very long post on the kerbweight thread either, but looking at your initial figures, I would say you need a beefier car to tow that twin axle.
Having been towing since 1970, I would not want to tow a van, no matter whether it is a twin or a single axle, which is heavier than my car, which it sounds like you are proposing to do.
We have a twin axle, MTPLM 1900kg, and tow with a VW Touareg, which has a kerbweight of something like 2150kg.
Engine power has to be considered too IMO.
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OP, in my view you are over complicating this by mixing what is legal with the 85/100% ‘guidelines’, single/twin axle, ATC etc etc. I do agree with you the 85/100% guidelines are out of date insofar as not reflecting safety improvements, AND they are too often mis-understood as being legal. I would add that sur le continent there are no such guidelines. The starting point is legality, is the car/towed unit (caravan) combination legal and that is straightforward to establish. Second, is the driver qualified to drive it (B + E license). Following that is checking your insurance (some insurers limit the cover to 100% max ratio) and are you, the driver, confident with the resulting set up? The issue of whether ATC adds 5% is eroneous and i defy anyone to tell me they can tell the difference that 5% makes when towing, that 5% could simply be the difference between the car having a full/empty fuel tank. I have towed both single and t/a and there are benefits of both however i am not aware of any accident data to indicate one is safer than the other. There is no gaurantee of safe anything in life including towing. Many who tow are firmly in the camp that regard 86% as reckless and get the smelling salts out when anyone suggests towing over 85%. Others make their own minds up (me). The old adage used to be buy the biggest heaviest car you can afford to tow the smallest lightest caravan you can manage.
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I have found the TA to be more stable than the SA when correctly loaded. In addition, I have towed a 1900Kg TA at 95% which was not stable at 55mph plus in windy conditions. I now tow with 2150Kg and the difference is considerable. Probably not just the weight in my case but also the tow bar to back axle distance being shorter. You can decide within the law how far you want to push the stability envelope. Personally, I like to have plenty of reserve stability and power for when we have the typical storm which just seems to start when you are leaving home or the site. As for manoeuvring the van, I use a 4 motor mover set up which is fine. Obviously does not turn as sharply as a SA.
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Flatcoat says.....”The old adage used to be buy the biggest heaviest car you can afford to tow the smallest lightest caravan you can manage.”
Its still sound advice in the main. You do see some seriously mismatched outfits out and about. I always liken it to overloading a donkey, expecting a poor little donkey to do the work that needs a Shire Horse to do it safely, without killing the donkey or the rider🤔😉
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I would challenge anybody's ability to detect a 5% change in weight ratio in the way the outfit handles. To do so would need a change of at least 10%, maybe even 15%, all other factors remaining equal - which they seldom are. Everything else has been covered in your other thread.
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