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Subject Topic: kerb weight
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06/7/2020 at 7:57pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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Hi Drummer59

It's less daunting than it probably sounds to you. On the understanding that your licence is pre-1997 and that weight restrictions therefore aren't an issue, there are two things you need to consider:

- Legally, the actual towed weight of any trailer (not necessarily the MTPLM, although caravans have fairly small payloads so they'll probably be close in reality) cannot exceed the car's maximum towing limit. This will normally be stated on the V5 document, but if you don't have access to that you can work it out from the car's VIN plate, which will give two figures. The lower figure is the car's maximum gross weight (i.e. the maximum permissible weight of the car when fully loaded). The higher figure is the 'gross train weight' which is the maximum permissible weight of the car and a trailer combined. Subtract the first figure from the second to get the towing limit.

- Sensibly, the actual weight of a caravan should not exceed the car's kerb weight, even if the towing limit permits it. A recommendation for 'novice' towers is that the weight of the caravan should be limited to about 85% of the kerb weight, but in reality you're unlikely to notice a few 10s of kgs either way. Say 1100-1150kg based on the kerb weight of 1305kg that you have given.

As Colin says, most modern caravans are heavier than that although there will still be a few that you can pick from. However, many older caravans are lighter and will still be perfectly serviceable and be fitted with everything you need.

From my own previous experience of a VW Passat and Touran with the same 1.6 TDI engine as the Skoda, it will cope with the caravan on the back but is no ball of fire performance-wise. If you can stretch to the 2.0 TDI version of the same car it will tow much more comfortably and barely use any more fuel when driven solo.   

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


via mobile 06/7/2020 at 8:01pm
 Location: lancashire
 Outfit: Berghaus air 4 with porch
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Thanks very much I appreciate your reply


via mobile 04/8/2020 at 8:16am
 Location: lancashire
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Does this help


via mobile 04/8/2020 at 8:30am
 Location: lancashire
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04/8/2020 at 10:41am
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Right, so now you know that the absolute maximum MTPLM of a caravan must not exceed 1200kg with that car. I like to have something in reserve so I would go lower still. That does limit your choice a bit, but if you look at older caravans there are probably plenty about that don't weigh that much. I tow a caravan weighing less than 1,000kg with a car capable of towing 1,400kg, so it hardly notices it on the back.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


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04/8/2020 at 1:08pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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Just a note of caution. I have never heard of the website you have used but would not be at all confident that the data is accurate, particularly if it's not UK-sourced.

The best thing you can do is to check the VIN plate for your actual car (or if you don't yet have it, look at one in a dealership). The plate will be either inside the engine bay or one one of the door pillars. Failing that, look in the manufacturer's brochure, which will almost certainly be available to download.

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04/8/2020 at 3:13pm
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ive just been loooking on parkers website at this cars specs, scarey that people think its safe to have a car weighing in 1230kgs yet they state its ok to put 1800kgs on the back end of it! talk about tail wagging the dog! trouble is this sort of info is really the problem for newbies


04/8/2020 at 8:00pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Car & Caravan
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As a general rule (rule of thumb) anyone new to towing shouldn't tow a caravan that is over 84% of the cars weight, you can go more as you get more experienced.
As previously mentioned it can be be like the tail wagging the dog, especially in winds or when going down hills.

Its not a law its guidance, much like the guidance which says don't eat yellow snow.


via mobile 04/8/2020 at 8:11pm
 Location: lancashire
 Outfit: Berghaus air 4 with porch
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All I want to know is will.my car pull a 2 berth caravan


04/8/2020 at 8:23pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
 Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4
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Quote: Originally posted by drummer59 on 04/8/2020
All I want to know is will.my car pull a 2 berth caravan



And impossible to answer since a 2 berth caravan could weigh anything from 700kg to 2 tonnes!!



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04/8/2020 at 8:23pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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It depends on the weight of the caravan. If a caravan has an MTPLM of 1200kg or less and ideally 85% of kerbweight then you can tow it.

Rob


04/8/2020 at 8:26pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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And the answer is, yes if the caravan is light enough! The procedure for finding out how light that is has been explained already. You should however go by the figures given by your car's manufacturer and not those that someone else has put on some website, which frankly could have come from anywhere.

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."



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