3.5 Ton speed limit difference (Europe)

Westhoughton

Hi, My GVW is 2245.00Kg. My Actual loaded weight is 1930.50Kg.

My Caravan MTPLM is 1500Kg. MY actual Caravan loaded weight is 1447.61Kg.

My GVW + MTPLM is 3745Kg. My actual combined loaded weight is 3378.11Kg.

Question: When towing in Europe on the motorway, in where the speed limits differ as to whether you are under or over 3.5 ton, which weights should I adhere to, my GVW + MTPLM or my actual loaded weights?

Many thanks.

eribaMotters

I read it that you have to abide by the theoretical maximums. Those weights are known and recorded on your car and caravan and not open to any discussion. The only way to test your actual running loads would be to weigh the vehicle combination, and that is not going to happen.

Colin

peedee

There not many areas of motorway where there are speed limits for over 3.5 tons so I would not worry about it. Where you do encounter them why not just adhere to them. I think it is the actual plated weights that count not actual weights but I am sure someone else more knowledgable than me will be along to clarify.

peedee

Westhoughton

Hi, yes, I thought as much. I just wanted to confirm my suspicions and don't want to run foul of the law.

Many thanks for you help.

David

Westhoughton

Hi, Many thanks for your help.

David

RedKite

Using UK terms, the speed limits are determined by the plated GTW, gross train weight. This is the max weight of the car and trailer that the car manufacturer decides the car can handle. If this is over 3.5 tonnes then your top speed is restricted when towing. We have a plated limit of around 5 tonnes on the 4x4, and this limits us even when towing our weeny baggage trailer. (Daft, but there it is).

You seem to be OK on your stated car and caravan weights, as they are less than the individual limits when loaded, but do check the GTW for the car.

In EU terms. PTRA is the GTW. PTAC is the MAM of the car or caravan. So PTAC for the car + PTAC for the caravan must be not more than the PTRA. PTRA sets the switch over point at 3500kg for speed limits.

Monsieur plod does make checks, and the fine can be 135 euro for each 500kg or part over the plated weights.

@peedee The weight/towing speed limits apply on any road where the normal speed limit is higher, so most motorways. Most car (PTRA) and caravan combos will not exceed the 3500kg point, so effectively unrestricted. Several 4x4 towing vehicles could exceed it however.

DavidRC

"

"Most car (PTRA) and caravan combos will not exceed the 3500kg point"

Really?

My Skoda Octavia (not a large car) has a GTW of 3495kgs, I think many cars will have a higher GTW and when towing will be subject to the lower limit.

Am I misunderstanding something?

Westhoughton

HI, Out of the four countries that we are going to, all are 80km/h, but Holland and Austria do have a higher speed limit if your combined weight is under 3500Kgs. So we will just stick to 80km/h.

Thanks for all your input.

David.

Wildwood

Certainly in France the combined maximum speeds are the relevant ones rather than the actual loaded weights. Prosecuting using the actual weights would be far more difficult as it would need them to weight the combination, but using the maximum figures is far more straightforward.

Not sure how you can be so specific on weights as these must vary between trips and the only way to be sure on your holiday would to weight the vehicle when you set off and check every time you unloaded or added anything when away.

peedee

https://clubtogether.caravanclub.co.uk/discussion/comment/874127#Comment_874127

Surely it depends on the type of road you are using? In France, if there are no signed limits the top speed for a vehicle over 3.5 tons on the autoroutes is 110kph or 68mph, plenty fast enough for most regardless of weight.

peedee

Westhoughton

Hi, The question I posed was not really about speed as such, it was more about the legality of the combined weight.

I am happy with the answers received and would like to say thanks for your replies.

David.

Lutz

By the way, the Train Weight is NOT the sum of the GVW of the towcar and the MTPLM of the caravan. It is the sum of all axle loads (those of the car and that of the caravan).