Vehicle matching problem

Bongonaught
Bongonaught Forum Participant Posts: 37
edited August 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi I am new to caravaning and am looking for my first van.  My intended tow car is a Mazda Bongo 2.5 V6  MPV on LPG.  My problem is that as a Japanes import it does not list a towing capacity as they do not tow in Japan?  I know the details on the log book
(kerb weight 1904)  but not knowing this detail is hampering me making a purchase.  does anyopne oput there tow with a Mazda Bongo for Ford Frieda (same vehicle) who can give me some information or at least point me in the right direction?  If it can carry
8 persons it must have the capacity for towing.  Total novice sorry !

Comments

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #2

    Hello Bongonaught and welcome to Club Together.

    Your post has been moved from "Ask the Expert LIVE" Section as per the instructions in the sticky thread which explain that the section is for specific 'live' events.  

    If we can help with anything else just ask.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #3

    Done a little digging.  It would appear that your Bongo can tow 1600kgs and that the max noseweight is 85kgs.  Using the CC 85% guide that would give you a caravan of 1360kgs max weight.  BUT HEALTH WARNING; I got these from trailing through a number of
    forums and would recommend that you contact Mazda to confirm; wouldn't bother asking a caravan dealer as your Bongo will probably not appear on their matching lists.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited August 2016 #4

    I would carry some evidence of the towing capacity to cover you if stopped or you need to convince your insurer it is legal.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2016 #5

    Even if the vehicle is a grey import from Japan the weight plate should show max. GVW and max. GTW. If it doesn't and it was built after the date when whole vehicle type approval was implemented (for cars I think it was 1997, but I may be wrong) then things
    can be difficult to document. Your first port of call should then be Mazda.

  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
    100 Comments
    edited August 2016 #6

    The owners club has manufacturers specs translated from Japanese http://www.bongocamper.com/ which should help.

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

    Lutz forgot to tell you that if you deduct the Grose Vehicle Weight from the Grose Train Weight it should give you the manufacturers max towing weight. This is usually much higher than the clubs recommended 85% ratio. On my car the weight plate is on the
    door siill and the GVW and GTW are the tip two figures quoted. It's probably best to stick to around the 85% of unladen weight limit.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2016 #8

    The owners club has manufacturers specs translated from Japanese http://www.bongocamper.com/ which should help.

    Although the handbook can give you valuable information regarding towing loads it is not a document which would be recognised by the powers-that-be. Only the vehicle weight plate or some sort of document issued by the manufacturer and valid for the specific
    vehicle chassis number in question would be accepted.

  • Bongonaught
    Bongonaught Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited September 2016 #9

     

    Guys

    Thanks for all your responses which are helpful.  The towing capacity is not on the vehicle plate because towing is not legal in Japan so it is not given.  Mazda are unable to help for the same reason.  How I get proof is beyond me.  If I had the vehicle weighed and kept the weighbridge note then using the formula anyone would know what the capacity was ?  VOSA would be the ones to watch me thinks?  To make matters worse this vehicle went out of production in 2005 whe the factory burned down.  looks like I need another van.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2016 #10

    The towing capacity is not a legal requirement here either, but the vehicle plate should show the maximum allowable train weight and from that one can deduce the towing capacity by subtracting the GVW from the GTW.

  • Bongonaught
    Bongonaught Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited April 2017 #11

     Hi

     

    Hi I am back

     

    I am a member of Bongo Fury so the book is free but as I said japan does not allow towing so it was made without the information I need.

     

     Since I last spoke with you guys I have had the van weighed at the weighbridge locally and it is 1840 kg unladen and 2140 kg Gross

    ( it is an 8 seater but will remove one row at rear)

    My van MTPLM 1490.  I had this calculated and the nose weight came out at 90kg but I do not have an awning or anything heavy so should be around 80 when we travel.

    If I survive my first trip I will get back to you and let you know how it all went

     

    Thx

     

  • Bongonaught
    Bongonaught Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited April 2017 #12

    The caravan club has insured the Bongo so  it must be legal as they know I am intending to tow?  Anyway I have the weigh bridge ticket just in case.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2017 #13

    The weighbridge ticket doesn't give any indication of what the car is allowed to tow, though.

    What year is your Bongo? If it's post 1997 it's got to have a type approved towbar which may be difficult to get if there is no data available on what it may tow or what the noseweight limit is. In a cse like that the car would then have to go through an IVA to be legal.

    I don't think the Club really cares whether you tow or not if you insure through them.

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