Car trailer advice

LDAllen
LDAllen Forum Participant Posts: 20
edited November 2021 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have a bessacarr 494 the plate says it has a 2000kg towing capacity. I drive to southern France and Spain a few times every year. I am looking to tow a small trailer with a convertible car on it. I have checked and the trailer is around 500kg the car I want is 1050kg. I know technically this would be legal but I am concerned about the trailer pitching and putting too much strain on the alco chassis. 
the only cars I see being towed regularly are smart cars,fiat 500 etc. So micro car on a micro trailer

Does anyone have experience with towing something slightly larger, if so did it all work out ok? 

I know the tunnel and the tolls will be expensive but I don’t want to damage my car or van. 

Thanks for reading Lee 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #2

    I’m not sure if this helps at all but we had a Bessacarr 795 on a 4.25T base with Alko chassis towing a trailer with a 2006 Ford Ka (with air con) which, from memory was about 900kg. We had no problems whatsoever towing. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2021 #3

    if your motorhome is capable of towing 2 tonnes & you only intend towing a max of 1550kg I can't see that there'll be problem

  • SeeFarers
    SeeFarers Forum Participant Posts: 25
    edited November 2021 #4

    Hi Lee, I have towed a car on a trailer in the UK and France/Spain.  The trailer I chose is a Brain James trailer.  The current model is slightly different to mine but essentially the same size.  I wanted twin axles to avoid the pitching that a single axle could give, plus the added safety of four wheels should a puncture occur, as it may not be immediately obvious.

    There are additional signs to display that you may need, particularly for Spain, but I will leave that for now.

    My trailer has a gross capacity of 1600kg and a gross load capacity of 1200kg. The new ones increase these figures a little.  The trailer is easily manoevered when empty.  My car is a 2007 Fiat Panda that weighs just under 900kg, which with five doors is perfect for us.

     

  • LDAllen
    LDAllen Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited November 2021 #5

    Thanks for your replies. 

    the next hurdle appears to be insurance. My MH is insured with the club, they have confirmed that the trailer and vehicle on the trailer would be covered 3rd party only. 
    My concern is if I have an accident my car is not fully insured, my car insurance company seem to be at a bit of a loss as what is covered

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2021 #6

    Our Ka was still covered by its own insurance when towed but that was a long time ago and things may well have changed. If you read your motor policy carefully, you might find some clues.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2021 #7

    As I understand it .... if you had a bump while the car was on the trailer,  any damage to the 3rd party caused by the trailer would be covered by your motorhome insurance. If in that bump your car was also damaged,  then your car's insurers would sort it.

    Insurers like to pass the buck whenever they can.

  • SeeFarers
    SeeFarers Forum Participant Posts: 25
    edited November 2021 #8

    ".... my car insurance company seem to be at a bit of a loss as what is covered"

    If that is true then change your insurer.  You can be damn sure in the event of a claim they will know precisely what is covered

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