Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Contact Us

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 85% Towing Rule Post Reply Post New Topic
Personjosel
27/6/2007 at 8:47am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View josel's Profile View Profile   Reply to josel Reply   Quote josel Quote  
Joined: 20/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi all,

I am very new to caravans and never had one before. I have a Renault Grand Espace 2.2 diesel Kerb weight 1702KG. The caravan ABI AWARD NIGHSTAR 1998, MTPLM 1450KG.

The caravan dealer stating my car will easily tow this caravan and it reaches 85.19% KERB/MTPLM.

My questions are -

What is the 85% rule?

What is kerb weight?

What is MTPLM?

And finally how do i work out how much weight i can load the caravan to?

Thankyou for your time and patience. josel


katharita
27/6/2007 at 9:53am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View katharita's Profile View Profile   Reply to katharita Reply   Quote katharita Quote  
Joined: 21/7/2006

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   110
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Found this sound info put in by Dirtydisco

 

For cars......

Kerbweight  = Unladen weight of tow car

Max Tow weight = Max weight the car can move from a standing start up a set incline.

Max gross train weight (GTW) = maximum combined weight of car and trailer

Kerbweight and Max tow weight are NOT generally the same figure (well they could be by a coincidence) and are not the same concept

For trailers/caravans

MTPLM = maximum weight of trailer & contents

MIRO = Mass in running order, weight of trailer with a basic loadout (gas, battery etc)

ULM = unladen mass, weight of trailer empty.

 

 

If you passed your test after 1/1/97 the MTPLM of your trailer must not exceed the kerbweight of your tow car, and the MTGW must not exceed 3500kg (this rules out many large car/mpv/4x4 & caravan combinations

 

Also check "what towcar.com"


Personmichael
27/6/2007 at 10:02am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

here too.......

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html

the difference between the MIRO AND MTPLM is your loading weight you can use,ie.awning water , barrels,ect



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


simonm65
27/6/2007 at 10:04am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View simonm65's Profile View Profile   Reply to simonm65 Reply   Quote simonm65 Quote  
Joined: 20/8/2006

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   118
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, the 85% rule is what is generally accepted to be a safe towing combination, ideally your caravan fully loaded should weigh no more than 85% of the car. You can tow upto 100% legally but this is not advised unless you are experienced.

The kerb weight is the weight of your vehicle with all essential equipment i.e. fuel, spare tyre etc. It doesn't include the weight for passengers. Your handbook will tell you the maximum train weight, be careful as this can sometimes decrease the towing weight when you include the passengers and luggage in the vehicle. The maximum train weight is the weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the caravan, you need to ensure you don't exceed this.

Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass - the total weight your caravan can take. The caravan will have a plate somewhere stating the MIRO (Mass in Running Order), this is generally around 250KG less than the MTPLM, so basically you can load your caravan with 250KG of equipment this includes the battery as most manufacturers don't include this in the MIRO, check in the hand book or the plate on the caravan to get the exact figures.

Hope this helps.


Personjosel
27/6/2007 at 12:42pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View josel's Profile View Profile   Reply to josel Reply   Quote josel Quote  
Joined: 20/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thankyou all.

 


Advertisement



Persondirtydisco
27/6/2007 at 3:23pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: dirty discovery & scruffy sprite View dirtydisco's Profile View Profile   Reply to dirtydisco Reply   Quote dirtydisco Quote  
Joined: 24/1/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   713
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by simonm65 on 27/6/2007

Hi, the 85% rule is what is generally accepted to be a safe towing combination, ideally your caravan fully loaded should weigh no more than 85% of the car. You can tow upto 100% legally but this is not advised unless you are experienced.

 

You can tow over 100% of kerbweight if you passed your driving test before 1/1/97 or if you take an additional +E test



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

6584 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement

Advertisement



Advertisement