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A dealer once told us that our car wasn't heavy enough but if we filled up the aquarolls with water in the boot and put the heavy stuff out the van on the floor of the car it would be fine.!!

We told him to shove it

So true of so many dealers trying to dupe you into thinking you can tow a van with the same weight as your car!-i know you can do it legally(depending on drivers age,before i get smart ass replies!!!)

One thing that does not get mentioned often is although the car has a kerb weight,possibly including or not the weight of the driver,dont forget the weight of passengers and luggage which ofter equals a large amount and can take you to the gross weight of the car IT does tend to alter the 85% sweet point that we all keep recommending!!!

No doubt,a big a big debating subject but he-ho¬!!

The kerb weight never changes, irrespective of passengers and luggage.  It is a fixed figure.

Jim

One thing that does not get mentioned often is although the car has a kerb weight,possibly including or not the weight of the driver,dont forget the weight of passengers and luggage which ofter equals a large amount and can take you to the gross weight of the car IT does tend to alter the 85% sweet point that we all keep recommending!!!

Physics....Think of it as little old me running uphill at my 10st against someone at 17st. Now who would get to the top easiest? Who would have the spare capacity? Who could carry on from the top rather than having to wait around to cool off?

You're car engine is designed to attain a certain level of work and all of these weight ratios, torque, brake horse power, et al all go into the mix to come up with an answer as to what the car can do and with safety. The max tow weight etc is designed to get you up a 1 in 8. Its not about getting any old van and then loading the car up to create a theoretical 85% van. That's why its a fixed figure.

Phil

Points taken greendemon315 and cwdc56768-just an observation that has been seen again and again by people who load there cars to increase its weight!

Anyway as long as you remain within the cars  gross weight and total if pulling a trailer or van its still legal-thats the point i was trying to get across!!

Quote: Originally posted by alisonmc on 12/3/2011

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..... with a Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 2008 plate.  At the moment we have a Swift Charisma 535 with a MTPM of about 1330 ish.  Yesterday we looked at some vans at 2 different dealerships and inadvertently we ended up in 2 that were close to the 1500 mark.  Both dealers poo pooed my fears about the 85% rule.  One even went as far as to say his mate tows a twin axle with his Mondeo.  So I was just wondering what you guys do.  Now I know that it's a controversial subject but I really like a van that's about 1400kgs.  I would be intersted to hear your thoughts

Alison

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I tow a 1450kg Hymer Nova 470 with my 2005 Mondeo 115 tdci hatch and it tows like a dream and is a far more stable towcar than anything else I have ever towed with in 19 years including several large 4X4s. The 2008 mondeo is larger and heavier than mine and in other forms has won CC towcar of the year, you will have no problems at all with a 1400kg caravan and your Mondeo.

Hi Alison

If it's any help as you see we have two Caravans one (Ranger GT 520/4) has a MTPLM of 1,326 Kg and the Pageant Burgundy has  a MTPLM of 1,400 kG.

We tow both caravans no problem with our Toyota Avensis Tourer 2.0 Diesel (which kerb weight is similar to your Mondeo) which has a Kerb weight of 1,520Kg, towing weight 1,600Kg.

Hope this might help you have more confidence in your choice of Caravan

Mike