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Topic: tow car for a van fully laden 1480

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trigano575

09/6/2015 at 2:44am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Sprite Major 6 TD

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Hi
We have just purchase a caravan - upgrading from folding camper, and we need to buy a new car regardless of towing and indeed our current folding camper tow car isn't suitable which we knew, but like I say we need a new car anyway
BUT
we haven't done our homework properly as the salesperson was so adamant about a ford mondeo being a good match we didn't question it.

OH DEAR!

It really isn't suitable. He has over quoted the kerbweight of the mondeo and not given us the 85% match which as new to towing a caravan we think we should try to get close to. I should have spotted it. I should have queried it. Rookie mistake to believe a salesperson. Feel such an idiot.

Anyway at least we have found out before making the car purchase.

So really, has anyone any idea of where to start looking for a tow car that will pull a van with a fully laden weight of 1480? We've bought the sprite major 6TD.

I am bamboozled with figures. I don't have a E bit on my licence so ideally want to come in at under 3500kg gross train weight. If it is the deal breaker though, I will take a E class licence. We thought we had it all sewn up with looking for a mondeo...

Any idea of which are good tow cars to pull 1480?

We haven't got a massive budget.

kazo2014

09/6/2015 at 6:39am
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www.whattowcar.com is what you need to use to check figures out

billy

09/6/2015 at 8:30am
Location: North Essex
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You cannot tow that caravan with a Mondeo without a B+E licence so whatever car you get you will have to take extra test. Ford Galaxy would do the job as reasonably priced towcar for caravan.

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 9:43am
Location: Lancashire
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Hi Triango what mondeo do you have ?? the brochure weight of a lot of mondeo's is far lower than the cars actual weights.
The brochure weight for my 2011 Titanium x 2ltr tdci is 1557kgs the actual weight on a weigh bridge is 1705kgs, i've towed for the last 4 years a 1500kg coachman, i've actually just changed it this year to a new coachman weighing 1560kgs, 1480 would not be an issue for a 2ltr tdci.
as already said you will probably have to do you test though

Bessie

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 9:51am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Volvo X60 Coachman

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trigano my mondeo comes out at a 86% match with the the sprite.

Bessie

trigano575

09/6/2015 at 10:30am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Sprite Major 6 TD

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Hi

Yes, I'm aware I will need an E licence. I miscalculated due to considering kerbweight of a car + maximum laden weight of Van instead of gross train weight when the car is loaded. My husband has an E entitlement so we can get started

We currently don't have a suitable tow car as we were set to order the van then order it so we don't actually have a mondeo.

Will take a look at the galaxy.

Any thoughts on the s-max? Seems to have a kerbweight just about 1700 so would be a good 85% match.

How I panicked last night, but talking to my husband, though we may well not be buying the class of cars we anticipated there are solutions to affording a slightly larger heavier class of vehicle. My husband has to swap his car as he gets moeny from work towards it instead of a company car and he's not allowed to have them over a certain age as their policy. Ideally we were going to swap mine as I've always had the family car but if we swap his and tow, then in time he passes it on to me he can then once again have a cheaper smaller model that will suffice for his needs and we can run this tow car longer than his work would allow. That's one thought but there are other ways around things.

However it's very interesting many of you are saying the mondeos are an 85% match ish. What Minefield if the cars are heavier than stated. Where do I start with this?

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 10:42am
Location: Lancashire
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What mondeo were you looking at, remember the higher the car spec the heavier the car, estates are 20kgs heavier as well.
i had a S max for 4 years as well, had it before this mondeo, 2 ltr tdci zetec 2007 has a kerbweight of 1750 kgs would of got another one had it been available (company car) now thats saying something as it would of ment having the same make/model car for 8 straight years.
just waiting for my new company car list to come out, Would deffo have a mondeo or S max again, another car to look at is the isignia that is anoth very heavy car

Bessie

Skoda Bob

09/6/2015 at 11:11am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4

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1480, is the max the van can be loaded too, you don't have to load it to that.
miro 1259kg
max 1480kg
221 KG to play with

The MIRO when van is empty includes gas your water would be empty anyway until you get to a site
Weights: From the 2012 Season, the method of calculating the Mass in Running Order (MRO) and user payload figures was changed in order to bring it in line with European Vehicle Directives.

quote from Swift
Allowances for essential equipment (e.g. gas cylinders) previously allowed for in the user payload are now contained within the MRO. A provision for a leisure battery which used to be within the essential equipment payload has now been included within the personal effects payload allowance.

Although the method of calculation has changed, the overall effect is that the amount of payload available to the customer has remained the same, it is just calculated in a different manner.

The MRO is calculated with the fresh water tank empty. If you travel with water in the fresh water tank, the payload will be reduced accordingly.

Post last edited on 09/06/2015 11:23:12

Post last edited on 09/06/2015 11:26:38

Post last edited on 09/06/2015 11:27:22

Post last edited on 09/06/2015 11:28:39

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 11:14am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Volvo X60 Coachman

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bob its very easy to load to that weight,it's actually quite hard not to overload a caravan lets not forget iuts a 6 birth van

Bessie

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 11:37am
Location: Lancashire
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Ok 220 kgs to play with Bob and a 6 birth caravan so probably 4 people or more, you can actually take the gas bottle out of this spreadsheet if swift now allow it.
but lets not forget my spreadsheet has no clothes in it, so requires clothes for a family for 2 weeks ??

     van      car
25 meter cable  /  weighed                   4.5
            Ramp and blocks     2
110 amp battery  weighed                   27
BP Gaslight      10
spare wheel etc  weighed                  19
aqua role  weighed                  4
wastemaster / fluid   weighed              6
Awning and poles           30
oval table   weighed                 5
chairs      x 4          3.5     14
cadac                    15
Tv       3.19
quilt and 4 pillows / sleeping bag          weighed                  9
pegs, mallet, drill etc say      est               5
towels, bathrobe toiletries     weighed               5
cutlery, plates kettle knifes and forks                        6
shoes
air bed inner tent          3.5
groundsheet               weighed                  8
toiletries     2.5
windbreak               weighed               3.5
games / lights      5
Clothes
Surf boards           10
Food     10
Booze
jack          10
Total     138     67

Bessie

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 11:39am
Location: Lancashire
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for some reason the spreadsheet doesnt transfer to well on here, but its easy to get the picture.
205 kgs without clothes

Bessie

Skoda Bob

09/6/2015 at 11:41am
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Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 09/6/2015Ok 220 kgs to play with Bob and a 6 birth caravan so probably 4 people or more, you can actually take the gas bottle out of this spreadsheet if swift now allow it.
but lets not forget my spreadsheet has no clothes in it, so requires clothes for a family for 2 weeks ??

     van      car
25 meter cable  /  weighed                   4.5
            Ramp and blocks     2
110 amp battery  weighed                   27
BP Gaslight      10
spare wheel etc  weighed                  19
aqua role  weighed                  4
wastemaster / fluid   weighed              6
Awning and poles           30
oval table   weighed                 5
chairs      x 4          3.5     14
cadac                    15
Tv       3.19
quilt and 4 pillows / sleeping bag          weighed                  9
pegs, mallet, drill etc say      est               5
towels, bathrobe toiletries     weighed               5
cutlery, plates kettle knifes and forks                        6
shoes
air bed inner tent          3.5
groundsheet               weighed                  8
toiletries     2.5
windbreak               weighed               3.5
games / lights      5
Clothes
Surf boards           10
Food     10
Booze
jack          10
Total     138     67

Bessie

So that's you knackered for taking the last rolo

You don't half worry about overloading by a single gram, some of your stuff could go in the car or on its roof,

bessie500

09/6/2015 at 11:47am
Location: Lancashire
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no you can have a rolo but you have to holiday at nudist sites

Bessie

Skoda Bob

09/6/2015 at 11:49am
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Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 09/6/2015
no you can have a rolo but you have to holiday at nudist sites

Bessie

we do occasionally, but the clothes go in a case in the boot, we don't take surfboards though

ROG.

09/6/2015 at 12:18pm
Location: LEICESTER
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If you did load the caravan to its max and you loaded as much weight as poss into the car then the chances are you will be well under an 85% match

The advice uses fixed figures but the intention is for actual towing percentages

If you had something like a Skoda Octavia which had a kerb weight around 1500, a GVW of about 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800 to which you loaded 300 kg making it 1800 then with a caravan weighing 1500 it would be less than an 85% match
That would be legal on a B licence

If partner has B+E and you do not then ......

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving

-------------
EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor

janus

09/6/2015 at 12:41pm
Location: Rochdale
Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc

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Forget your problems your Mondeo will tow that caravan superbly. I tow a 1450kg Hymer with mine and it is impeccable. The extra 30kg is a drop in the ocean. It is superbly stable, no twitching no movement when coaches and car transpoters or any other HGV go past. It returns about 33mpg towing and averages about 48mpg overall.
For once your dealer has given you good advice. As to the E for your licence there are very few cars that will tow that van comfortably that will allow you to do so without the E on your licence.

-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci

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