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Subject Topic: Towing Weight
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PersonJdDerek
14/6/2013 at 2:42pm
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Help needed please with regards to towing weights.

I have worked out the towing capacity of my Ford Mondeo which is just under 1200 KG

We are only toying with the Idea of switching from our tent to a Caravan and whilst having a look around we have noticed that vans have 2 different weights ? ?

Unladen Weight and M.T.P.L.M which is higher

I am presuming the higher weight is what you plan your towing capacity on ? So what use does the unladen weight have ? ?

And why do most Caravan web sites advertise there vans using the unladen weight ? Or am I presuming wrongly ?

Mmmmmm confused .com



PersonOctavia4x4
14/6/2013 at 3:38pm
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The following link may help, MIRO is the new unladen weight. Go by the MTPLM and follow the guidlines, of which the MTPLM should be 85% of the cars kerbweight / mass in service found in the cars V5C document or car handbook.

http://www.clubcareinsurance.com/caravan-insurance/safety/caravan-weights

-------------
Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


PersonOpensauce
14/6/2013 at 4:44pm
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Giving both unladen(Miro which on modern caravans does include gas bottle & battery) & laden weights(Mtplm) allows you to calculate the amount of gear you can load into caravan. It would be illegal to load caravan beyond Mtplm. For Mondeo 1200kg max caravan weight is ok, you are under the 85% suggested weight ratio between car/caravan.


PersonGrampian91
14/6/2013 at 8:07pm
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The unladen weight is the empty weight so that you know how much stuff you can put in.

But dont trust it. Either empty it and take it to a weighbridge or load up with the essentials. Gas, Water containers, Toilet fluids etc and then weight it.

Whatever is left is all you have for your extra's.

I remember reading a caravan mag a while back, Guy was complaining that the caravan actually weighed 60kg less than the gross weight before he had loaded it.
Instead of the 200 - 300kg it should have for loading.

Which Mondeo do you have?


PersonJdDerek
15/6/2013 at 11:51am
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Thank you all for the info.

The Mondeo I have is a 2004 Ghia 5 Door.

If I am reading it right from the V5c form my Curb weight (if the same as Mass in service) is 1383

So 1175 is my comfortable tow ??

Am I right in saying I can purchase a van with a higher mtplm then that as long as I don't exceed 1175 once its loaded ?


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PersonGrampian91
15/6/2013 at 1:43pm
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175 - 1200 near enough. Its not an exact number.

As long as the car comfortably weighs more than the caravan your OK.

The issue is when did you pass your driving test?

The mass in service is the car + driver and some fuel. But for newer drivers its the cars unladen weight that counts.

so take away 75kg for the driver and 40kg for fuel and there is the unladen weight.

The caravans gross laden weight should be less than the cars unladen weight. Stick to that and dont try bending the figures to get a bigger caravan.

All boils down to when you passed your test.



PersonOpensauce
15/6/2013 at 3:05pm
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The actual max tow weight of Mondeo is 1800kg, I think, but it will be in car handbook. However, for safe tow it is best to keep caravan somewhat under kerbweight of car, the reason for the 85% ratio suggestion(its not law). So as you see, you have some leeway as to weight but obviously best to keep to your suggested weight.

Yes you can load caravan less than its Mtplm of course but with your normal gear including gas bottles/spare wheel/battery etc you are normally up nr Mtplm.


PersonGrampian91
15/6/2013 at 6:51pm
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You can only tow 1800 with an unladen car though.

For the MK3 the gross car weight + max tow exceeds the gross train weight.

If you load the car to the max then the max trailer weight could be less than 1500kg.


PersonJdDerek
15/6/2013 at 11:37pm
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Again thank you. Who would have thought that towing a caravan would need a degree in maths

As for my driving licence yes I passed my test before 1997.


PersonJdDerek
16/6/2013 at 9:01pm
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Having just read through the thread again I see that gross train weight is mentioned....

Sorry but this is new to me is that another weight I need to look up ? ?


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PersonGrampian91
16/6/2013 at 9:31pm
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Gross trailer weight + gross car weight = gross train weight.


You must not exceed any gross weight.

Whichever is the lowest is the limit.


For my Mondeo which is a diesel estate, Which is heavier than yours...

Kerbweight 1564kg.    
Gross vehicle weight = 2100kg
Gross towing weight = 1800kg.   
Gross train weight = 3725kg

So all passengers and luggage must be less than that. Dont forget the noseweight.


So i load the car upto 2100kg and tow my 1800kg caravan all fine. Except not.

2100 + 1800 = 3900kg. Over the 3725kg limit..

So i need a lighter caravan or leave the passengers and luggage behind.



Isnt caravanning fun?


PersonSurfer01
17/6/2013 at 12:02pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 16/6/2013
Gross trailer weight + gross car weight = gross train weight.
You must not exceed any gross weight.
Whichever is the lowest is the limit.
For my Mondeo which is a diesel estate, Which is heavier than yours...
Kerbweight 1564kg.    
Gross vehicle weight = 2100kg
Gross towing weight = 1800kg.   
Gross train weight = 3725kg
So all passengers and luggage must be less than that. Dont forget the noseweight.

So I load the car up to 2100kg and tow my 1800kg caravan all fine. Except not.

2100 + 1800 = 3900kg. Over the 3725kg limit..

So i need a lighter caravan or leave the passengers and luggage behind.

Isnt caravanning fun?

If you have a B+E driving licence no issue. If you have a B licence then sadly you are restricted to a maximum towing weight of about 1400kg.


PersonJdDerek
17/6/2013 at 11:41pm
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Sorry to be very slow here but ... I'm still confused

The Gross train weight of 3725Kg where did that come from ?? Will that also be on my V5c form ? ?

What is the difference between B+E and just B on the licence and how would that change the weight ? ?

Yes my Gross towing weight on my V5c form is 1800 but am I not limited to 1175 which is 85% of my cars 1383 mass in service ? ?

Again sorry for more questions I'm just not grasping this


PersonSurfer01
18/6/2013 at 8:37am
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Quote: Originally posted by JdDerek on 17/6/2013
Sorry to be very slow here but ... I'm still confused

The Gross train weight of 3725Kg where did that come from ?? Will that also be on my V5c form ? ?

What is the difference between B+E and just B on the licence and how would that change the weight ? ?

Yes my Gross towing weight on my V5c form is 1800 but am I not limited to 1175 which is 85% of my cars 1383 mass in service ? ?

Again sorry for more questions I'm just not grasping this


The 85% is only a outdated guideline for newbies. To get a B+E you need to sit a test and demonstrate towing a trailer. At present a B licence only allows you to a maximum gross train limit of 3500kg that is a combination of the MTPLM of the caravan and the gross weight of the car which is when the car is fully loaded. This figure is on your V5.
According to the new amendments issued in January 2013 although the kerbweight is 1383kg you can tow a trailer weighing more, but the combination must not exceed 3500kg.
I would suggest doing your B+E as soon as possible because every year you leave it the higher the price goes.


PersonGrampian91
18/6/2013 at 12:43pm
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The gross train weight is on the cars chassis plate on the door post. Your petrol car will be less than mine.

B = The restrictions on weight for post 1997 licence holders. Not exceed 3.5tons GTW, Not exceed the cars unladen weight etc.

B+E = whatever is legal for that car. 1000kg car with a 3000kg towing limit. = Legal.

Legal doesnt mean safe though.


PersonSurfer01
18/6/2013 at 12:58pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 18/6/2013
The gross train weight is on the cars chassis plate on the door post. Your petrol car will be less than mine.

B = The restrictions on weight for post 1997 licence holders. Not exceed 3.5tons GTW, Not exceed the cars unladen weight etc.

B+E = whatever is legal for that car. 1000kg car with a 3000kg towing limit. = Legal.

Legal doesnt mean safe though.




The amendment made to the legislation in January 2013 regarding a B licence remove the criteria that the trailer weight must be less than the kerbweight of the car. Agree about it being safe.



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