How to choose a new car suitable for towing

SlimBoyFat
SlimBoyFat Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited April 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi, I'm new to the caravan and motorhome club.

I've just this weekend upgraded my caravan and have found that my current car doesn't have the required kerb weight to pull it legally. That's not a problem as I was thinking of changing my car anyway.

My new caravan has a MIRO of 1421 KG and a MTPLM of 1720 KG.

When looking for cars online that might be suitable there's usually no mention of the towing capability.

I currently have an Insignia which I believe has a kerb weight of 1658 KG.

I've seen a couple of KIA Sorento's that would definitely do the job but I don't want something that bulky unless I absolutely have to.

I'd prefer something like a VW Touran or a KIA Sportage but I'm not sure how to find out if these cars would legally pull my new caravan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #2

    www.towcar.info     will have to input which car you fancy and the caravan. much better than the clubs matching service.

  • SlimBoyFat
    SlimBoyFat Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2019 #3

    Thanks for that lornalou. I'll give it a try.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #4

    Hi,may be worth double checking as that payload looks very high.

  • SlimBoyFat
    SlimBoyFat Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2019 #5

    I got the numbers from the plate on the caravan.

    My insignia pulled it fantastically well when I brought it home after buying it. I knew it was a hefty caravan but I was a bit naive in not doing my homework on kerb weight vs MTPLM, Lesson learned now!

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #6

    agree, what caravan do they have? easier to give advice with more info.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited April 2019 #7

    I don't know if you current car is suitable or not but why do you think it would be towing illegally ?

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2019 #8

    There are a few variants of the Insignia that can only tow 1300kg so it pays to check.

  • SlimBoyFat
    SlimBoyFat Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2019 #9

    My new caravan is a year 2001 Swift Conqueror 630 Lux. MTPLM 1720 kg.

    The kerb weight of the Insignia is 1658 kg. The V5C states a max towing mass of 1600 kg.

    I think it might have been the RAC website that suggested the weight match between my car and caravan would be illegal and would invalidate my insurance etc.

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