Sorry Jim but a manufacturer's towing limit is not a 'recommendation' that 'should not be exceeded'. It's a legal requirement and MUST not be exceeded.
The 85% ratio is guidance only aimed at those with little or no towing experience. It has no legal status and apparently little if any scientific basis. Whilst I agree that many people choose to follow that guidance (not necessarily wrongly) it is very much a matter of choice.
I never wrote that 85% was a legal requirement, but would assume that any towing limit set by a manufacturer would be seen as a maximum weight. Rather silly not to.
Zutman seems to have made his choice with the advice offered.
Go by your V5C, mass in service; in the spec section of my handbook it states 'unloaded weight ready for work'! 1,495kg which is the same weight as the V5C.
Thanks again all you've got me looking at the specs now big time, will make our choice at the NEC or Malvern shows I know what I'm looking for now weight wise
Put the car on weigh bridge 1465kg so there you have it car is not going to cut the mustard so I've bought a VW Tiguan I don't have to worry now cheers all