Exceeding the 85% rule.
I am considering the possible purchase of the new Coachman Lusso! All 1950kgs of it!
I drive a 2019 Seat Tarraco 190 bhp, which is four wheel drive and can tow up to 2,300kgs (braked), which I would prefer not to have to sell. However the 85% rule for this car is a couple of hundred kgs lower than the 1950kgs of the Lusso.
I have been towing caravans for nearly 40 years and consider myself to be a very safe and experienced driver and caravan 'tower' but have always stuck to the 85% rule.
The Lusso is twin axle and should therefore inspire more secure and confidence-inspiring towing manners?
Thoughts please would be much appreciated. 85%
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85% is a recommendation, not a rule.
Only you will know how confident and competent a tower you are and how the car handles.
I'm not at all familiar with the car but, providing all the weights are within the legal range (and that particular caravan is a hefty lump), I suggest you try it and see. You can always change the car later if necessary.
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I’ve just worked out that if 1950kg is 200-ish kg over 85%, then 100% of kerb weight will be around 2000kg🤷🏻♂️.
Assuming, the above is incorrect and your 1770 is the true figure, Mikey, I'd buy a Disco. We know the max towing weight isn't a true indicator of towing ability.
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Tinners, I was using this website for the info, it may be wrong but it won't be too far off.
Just found this website which gives a slightly higher figure. It is interesting what weight of caravan they used in the test drive.
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/seat-tarraco
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The MTPLM of that caravan is 1526kg. It’s a single axle and I note the PC review suggests the Sante Fe or Sorento are heavier for towing a hefty twin axle van.
I dare say the Seat is theoretically capable of towing the weight of the OP's proposed caravan but, and it’s a big but, there’s a world of difference between towing something like a heavy flat bed trailer and a large slab sided white box. Something else to consider is the towball weight limit of the car which, according to the review, is 80kg.
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/seat-tarraco
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I would follow Tinwheeler's suggestion and give it a try. As he says, only you will know how confident and competent a tower you are. There are many who have been towing for years at 100%, and feel quite happy doing so. Conversely, there are others who stay within the 85%, but nevertheless don't feel totally comfortable with their match. Even if you find someone who has the same car/caravan combination, their style of driving may be different to yours so one can't always rely on third party opinions. Besides, more often than not, published kerbweights are way below the actual kerbweight (differences of up to 150kg are not unknown) so conditions are likely to be more favourable than expected.
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Errr, that's a misquote.
You been on the cooking sherry?😄
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Is there a car insurance issue if the caravan is heavier than the kerb weight?
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I don’t believe there is any stipulation in law regarding kerb weight and towed weight and, providing the rig is legal, that's all that matters to an insurance company.
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I used to have a Direct Line insurance, which clearly stated that a trailer could only be towed if it was below the tow car kerb weight. I am sure other insurers have the same rule. I often tow at 90% kerb weight, but this is 110%. Your minimum nose weight will be 78 kg, which means you have to be between 78 and 80 kg. Good luck with that one.
Regards,
Rayy
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