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They are really the same thing.

MTPLM is used for caravans (and presumable folding campers) and is the most that the caravan should ever weigh fully loaded.

Dealers sometimes have older caravans which show MAW - maximum authorised weight - which amounts to the same thing.

Gross vehicle weight means the same but is applied to cars, usually.

To find what your car can tow you need different weights - 85% of the unladen or kerbweight, and the maximum towing limit set by the manufacturer.

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 26/2/2008

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 To find what your car can tow you need different weights - 85% of the unladen or kerbweight, and the maximum towing limit set by the manufacturer.

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To find out what you can tow you need the vehicles maximum train weight, the vehicles max gross weight, and the vehicles maximum kerbweight. The difference between the train weight and the gross weight is the minimum value that could be said to be the maximum towing weight. the difference  between the train weight and the kerbweight is the very maximum that you could tow. The manufacturer may also have specified a maximum toweing weight, if you approach the department for transport they will tell you that this value has no meaning in law but that you would be unwise to exceed it as a court may decide to take the value into consideration as a guideline that you have ignored. I have been there and asked them.

Other things apply, depending upon the date that you got your licence. Firtst licence dated prior to 1997 the above information applies. First licence dated 1997 or later you must add that the caravans MTPLM must not exceed the manufacturers stated unladen mass for the car and that the total of the gross vehicle weight and the MTPLM must not exceed 3500kg.

The 85% guideline is just that a guideline, but it is a guide to best practice and is worthwhile considering.It does however have no legal standing whatsoever. It is a good starting point for someone starting towing but the CC version of the guideline says that for a more experienced driver with a car that is adequately powered up to 100% is perfectly acceptable.

may help

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

Quote: Originally posted by computer22 on 27/2/2008

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Apologies but I am an absolute beginner at towing a caravan.

So am I right in saying its 85% of Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass, the figure then has to be under our Gross Vehicle Weight (1300kg)

Or is it 85% of Gross Vehicle Weight and MTPLM has to be under that figure.

I am so confused, sorry.

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• If you passed your test after 1996 and haven't passed a "+E" second driving test, the maximum technically permitted laden mass (MTPLM) or maximum gross weight of the caravan must not be more than the unladen weight of the towcar and the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the combination must not exceed 3,500 kg.


• If you passed your test before 1997 or have a "+E" entitlement, you're not restricted to a 3,500 kg or to the weight ratio.


• In all cases, the actual weight of the car and trailer must not exceed the maximum train weight (MTW) the manufacturer specifies for the car and you should not tow more than the specified towing limit.

• Front axle weight
• Rear axle weight
• MAM or gross vehicle weight
• Maximum train weight