Towing capacities
Hello all, we're new to both the club and caravanning and are confused with towing recommendations to what's safe and legal.
We're in the market for a van and need a 6 berth so options are fairly limited due to our tow car, a VW Touran. It's figures are...
Kerb Weight 1615kg, so the recommended 85% rule gives a MTPLM of 1372kg, however the cars manual says a max trailer weight of 1800kg for 12% gradients and the cars VIN plate confirms this as 1825kg which would be its legal limit. This is 113% of the kerb weight.
I guess my question is how many owners tow close to the 100% kerb weight or even over it? Does a twin axle tow better at 100% than a single axle at 90%?
Thanks in advance
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The max towing/legal towing weights refer to the car's maximum ability to tow an object in certain conditions. It does not mean it is capable of towing a big white box safely at 60mph or that it will have the power to get you up steep hills or to be able to stop easily or to cope with sidewinds. It does not mean it is sensible, or safe, to tow that weight. That’s why the 85% recommendation exists.
Don't forget to heed the max noseweight the car can cope with and ensure the caravan is a good match in that respect as well.
Opinion is divided as to whether twin axle vans are steadier when towing. Their disadvantages are that they are generally heavier than single axle models (although this will probably give you a more generous payload) and are more tricky to manoeuvre. Most people find a motor mover very useful, or even essential, on a twin axle van but, of course, that mover will eat into the payload.
I can’t answer the question of how many folk tow at whatever weights but my instinct has always been to have a big heavy tug towing a van well within its weight capabilities. Think of avoiding the tail wagging the dog and of being able to stop safely in the event of an emergency - that’s my advice.
Good luck with your choice.
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twin axles are more stable than single but a hell of a lot heavier. 85% is a recommendation from the clubs and NCC but nothing to stop you towing at 100% but usually thats for experienced towers. if you have 4 kids in the car then don't go there, thier life in your hands sorry to say. there are 6 berth single axles out there but might be worth changing car to say a 7 seat santa fe to give more options on van size and weights.
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We tow a Coachman VIP replated to a max loaded weight of 1800kg with a Land Rover Discovery Sport which means we are well into 90+ percent if the caravan is fully loaded. The LR pulls beautifully BUT I have nearly 40 years towing experience and take no chances, sticking to 60mph max, taking it easy on downhill stretches, choosing level roads or slight uphills to overtake vehicles such as car transporters which generate instability, and so on.
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Twin axles are generally regarded as more stable to tow than single axles - unless it is a Continental manufacturer with their longer 'A' frames. Both are heavier vans and require a larger tow vehicle, particularly for the novice.
Good advice has been given earlier in this post and I would only add it may be very beneficial to you to attend one of the Club's towing courses. There's also the Technical department you could call.
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We are towing a T/A max weight 1900kg with a VW Touareg, so we are at around 90%, it tows very well, better than our previous Volvo XC90 as the engine is much more powerful. Glad we changed.
If you need a 6 berth, you are probably going to be carrying a lot of stuff, both in the van and the car, so I would not skimp on the tow vehicle, there are only 2 of us but we still manage to use up most of our payload.
I would say you will need a heavier and more powerful tow car.
Having moved from a single axle to a twin 10 years back, I have found the twin is much more stable.
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Thank you for all your replies, we've no choice in changing the car as we're restricted by our employers car policy and need the 7 seats, must be 119mg/co2 or below.
There are a few lightweight vans around 85-90% so we'll keep the shortlist to those
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You are quite right. But the companies policy is that the car has to meet certain criteria. 119co2 emissions or below being one of them, or they won’t pay the allowance, or business mileage. We have to submit the V5. These are business need cars, not perk cars. Harsh sounding I know, and frustrating
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You don't need to spend a fortune on a large tow car. In general, people don't want big gas guzzlers so they tend to be cheaper. There are actually 4 cars in our house between the 2 of us, but their total value is less than many Astra/Focus sized cars are to buy new.
Anyway, I'd be bu66ered if I let my employer dictate what car I'm allowed to buy when they have no financial input (other than paying me at the end of the week/month )
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For nearly 14 years I towed with a VW Touran 1.9 TDI 105PS. with manual box. Our caravans were a Coachman 460/2 with a MPTLM of 1436 kg and our current Swift Challenger with a MTPLM of 1420 kg. The car's maximum towing weight was 1500 kg, so I always towed near to the maximum permissible. There are only the two of us and, although the car was well loaded, it was by no means sluggish and returned 28 to 32 mpg when towing. Obviously it behaved well, otherwise it would have been passed on well before the 14 years.
To suit our purposes, I have now changed to a VW Caravelle 2.0 TDI 150PS, with automatic box. The main reason for this vehicle was its suitability for leisure outings as a day van, and the ability to keep the caravan in habitation readiness for short stop overs by loading all the lumber in the car. Early indications are that mpg when towing is not much less, but driving solo is around 8-10 mpg less than the Touran.
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As I understand it, the 1800kg is the maximum weight that the vehicle can restart on a 12% gradient when towing 1800 kg. The figure has nothing to do with stability while towing. Until there is a problem, it is unlikely that you will know whether the combination is safe. I have seen 300 series Discoverys pulled off the road due to a sudden tyre failure, also12% is not much of a gradient. I would recommend (50 years + towing) keeping to the 85% rule. Bear in mind that caravan payloads are 'miniscule' when you consider the weight of movers and batteries, so it is difficult to keep to the stated MPLW. My current van (after consideration of movers/gas etc) leaves just 22kg for the personal effects/ food equipment etc / per berth ie what you are allowed to for ;hold luggage per person when flying.
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Towed our twin axle caravan with our Volvo V70 with no trouble at all.
What you are over looking is the weight of the car. You quote kerb weight, but when will you have a fully loaded caravan, and an empty car? Load the car up and the % goes down. I have often towed a car transporter trailer in excess of 100% kerb weight in a Discovery 3. With just me in it, and that was a huge box like a caravan, no problem at all, but I have driven nearly everything over the years from motorbikes to coaches to low loaders.
Twin axle caravans and trailers will always be more stable than a single axle, and you will find out why when you try to move it by hand on to a pitch, but, they still need to be loaded properly and have the correct nose weight or it will end very badly.
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Not so, DS3. The kerb weight will always be the kerb weight. Loading the car will not alter that or the % but by loading the car and towing a heavy van you could be in danger of exceeding the gross train weight.
The scenario you quote is quite different as the Disco is well capable of towing more than it’s kerb weight and, providing the GTW and the vehicle’s max allowable towing weight aren’t exceeded, there shouldn’t be a problem. However, someone towing a caravan with the average family car is advised to consider the 85% of kerbweight recommendation. Overloading the car will not increase kerbweight but doing so and towing in excess of 85% could be a recipe for disaster.
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also agree ET. I think its a trial and error situation that people should do when they first start towing, as long as they stay within the laws. like you say, nose weight, vehicle weight, loading etc etc. everyone will have there own towing set-up that they feel is right, as long as they stay safe.
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The caravan will be more twitchy empty as side winds will be able to push the lighter weight more easily. The problem however is that when the caravan is laden then if a problem occurs it will be more difficult to save the situation as the weight of the car in comparison to the caravan is reduced.
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I have had two VW Tourans - both 1.9 litre diesel TDI. The maximum towing limit is 1500 kg. I towed caravans with a MPTLM of 1436 kg and had no problems over a period of 13 years. No reliability issues either. Only changed because I finally got a VW Caravelle - a vehicle I have always been aiming for. Otherwise, the Tourans were the best all round cars I ever had.
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Quite agree. Light car, heavy van, emergency stop - oh dear!😫
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Don't caravans have brakes? mine does
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