Surely Not a Match Made in Heaven

catherinef
catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
edited June 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

As a new returnee to caravanning and thus sensibly I regard myself as a newbie.  As the production version of our caravan came out heavier than anticpated, we are very very conscious of tyre pressures, correct loading, MTPL and Nose Weight.  

We took the caravan back to the dealer for warranty work and as we left my eye was drawn to a new top spec Lunar Clubman 4 berth hooked up to a Renault Megance Tourer.  

Now I know Lunar's are renowned for low weights but this match didn't look right to me, so I had a look when we got home:

Lunar MRO 1,305 kgs + pwertouch classic

Lunar MTPL 1,460 kgs

Megane ST 1.9 Dci Kerbweight 1,366 kgs

Megane ST 1.0 Dci Max Towing Weight 1,300 kgs

Surely that can't be a suitable match?  Also made me wonder if any conversation was had between the dealer and the customer regarding the towing vehicle.  I know on both instances of buying from them we've spoken to them about our towing vehicles.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited June 2016 #2

    The combination is not only dangerous but if the caravan is loaded at all it is illegal and could get the driver fined and points on his licence.

    If a dealer said it was safe then he could be in trouble, but I doubt he was asked, as it would be very foolish to suggest it was in order. Many dealers will agree to combinations which the club would not be happy with but that should be several stepos too
    far.

    As the combination was not road legal he would also find his insurance invalid which could be very costly and another few points on the licence.

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited June 2016 #3

    The bigger engined tourers have towing limits between 1500 and 1600 kgs so not illegal dependant on the model. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited June 2016 #4

    The bigger engined tourers have towing limits between 1500 and 1600 kgs so not illegal dependant on the model. 

    It would still be a very bad match but the OP shows the engine size which made me assume that he had been able to confirm that.

  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
    100 Comments
    edited June 2016 #5

    They may be the manufacturers towing weights, so it is not illiegal, but very ill advised. As the Club states, 85% is the safe way forward.

    Anyone who has towed where a caravan is taking control of the car would be very concerned with that combo!

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #6

    As I've said before......the only criteria some use is that, if the car can move the caravan, then it must be ok.

    And many dealers' salesmen will not dispute this thinking if they can see a sale on the horizon.....

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited June 2016 #7

    The info on the clubs matching service is very unreliable. It is possible that the cars V5 document gives a heavier figure. I had the same problem with my Focus 1.8tdci. No one was interested in correcting the web info. It was a good tow car, although I
    have now gone for something heavier.

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited June 2016 #8

    The bigger engined tourers have towing limits between 1500 and 1600 kgs so not illegal dependant on the model. 

    It would still be a very bad match but the OP shows the engine size which made me assume that he had been able to confirm that.

    Write your comments here...I would agree the match is not good but 'illegal' is something different. 

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