Good weights?
Hi Guys & Gals
Are these good stats to have for a starter towcar:
| Kerb weight | 1567.00kg |
| Towing limit | 1800.00kg |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2265.00kg |
| Gross train weight | 4065.00kg |
| Nose weight | 80.00kg |
Comments
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The kerb weight allows you around 1330kg for the MLPTM of a caravan, working on the 85% safety recommendation, which should give you a reasonable choice of vans.
1330+2265 = 3595kg so is within your GTW. You will also be within the (daft) 1800kg legal limit.
The nose weight should be achievable but depends on the model of caravan.
Sounds pretty good to me.
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I don't disagree with anything Tinwheeler says, provided that you passed your test before 1997 or you have passed the trailer test.
If you passed your test after 1996 and haven't passed the trailer test, then you will have to limit yourself to a caravan with a MAM of 1235Kg or less, because the limit for towing on a B licence where the trailer is more than 750Kg is a maximum of 3500Kg for the sum of the MAM of the car and trailer. The MAM of the trailer must also be no more than the unladen weight (use the kerbweight) of the car, but that does not cause a problem in this case.
The 80Kg noseweight allowance is a maximum for the towbar/car. You don't have to use it all. Depending on the caravan, the hitch might even have a lower limit - for my Eriba 540 it is 75Kg.
The clubs recommend a a noseweight in the 5%-7% range IIRC, but in any event you should observe the lower of the car/caravan limits. Other things being equal, higher is usually better than lower.
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Correct...on that car, the "heaviest" (by MAM) caravan you can tow puts you at 79%, so at least it should be a reasonably comfortable tow.
It's not a brilliantly thought through regulation IMO.
Because the whole outfit has to come in at 3500Kg or less, it means that if you got a heavier tow car with a higher MAM (good), then you would have to find a lighter caravan. Coversely, if your tow car was a bit lighter and with a lower MAM (i.e. not as
good) then within limits you could potentially have a heavier caravan - as long as it all fits within the gross train weight, the towing limit, and the MAM of the caravan is no more than the MAM of the car.Confused? You will be!
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Good luck with the search, Sher3et.
I think when it comes to finding a good tow car that some costs such as road tax and MPG can't be allowed to climb too high on the list of priorities. The right car for a good and safe tow is the prime consideration.
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When choosing a tow car remember the towing limit is nothing more than the weight the car can restart five times on a 12% incline. For caravan towing you need to be able to control the caravan in crosswinds and vehicle bow waves on a motorway. There is no
universal safe figure but the heavier the car in comparison with the caravan the better and 85% is as good a starting figure as any but is not written in stone.0 -
I don't disagree with anything Tinwheeler says, provided that you passed your test before 1997 or you have passed the trailer test.
If you passed your test after 1996 and haven't passed the trailer test, then you will have to limit yourself to a caravan with a MAM of 1235Kg or less, because the limit for towing on a B licence where the trailer is more than 750Kg is a maximum of 3500Kg
for the sum of the MAM of the car and trailer. The MAM of the trailer must also be no more than the unladen weight (use the kerbweight) of the car, but that does not cause a problem in this case.The 80Kg noseweight allowance is a maximum for the towbar/car. You don't have to use it all. Depending on the caravan, the hitch might even have a lower limit - for my Eriba 540 it is 75Kg.
The clubs recommend a a noseweight in the 5%-7% range IIRC, but in any event you should observe the lower of the car/caravan limits. Other things being equal, higher is usually better than lower.
Just a small correction here, not that it affects the OP's choice of caravan, but the statement "The MAM of the trailer must also be no more than the unladen weight (use the kerbweight) of the car," is out of date and no longer applies.
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I'm obliged, Lutz. I had a vague recollection of that but wasn't sure, even though it no longer appears on the government website - quote
- a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing car or van is no more than 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) maximum authorised mass (MAM)
i.e. no mention of the <=50% rule.
0 - a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing car or van is no more than 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) maximum authorised mass (MAM)
