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Hi all

Not happy! We're supposed to be heading off tomorrow for a few days at the seaside. We have an Avondale Kingfisher - 1991 model - we changed our car a few months ago to a discovery td5. The last time we went away with the caravan we had a focus estate so the towing weight wasn't a problem (didnt exceed the max 3500 kg as my partner passed his test after 1997! Suddenly it dawned on us this morning that the discovery weighs a lot more than the estate and looks like we would be exceeded the 3500kg if we towed the caravan (well we think so, it all sounds so confusing on the internet and we aren't exactly sure of the weight of the caravan - can't find the info anywhere).

Unsure what to do now - obviously we don't want to take the caravan out if we are going to be over the legal limit. The kids are so excited about going away too. Can't believe we only just thought about it. Might have to go back to the tent instead for this weekend!

have a look at what car http://www.whattowcar.com/ you can get your weight from there,the caravan should be aprox 1000kg you should have a plate somewhere

                                         paul

Hi

The gross weight of the discovery is 2750kg, which would make is 250 kg overweight - if I understand it correctly???

Think other half is going to take it to a weigh bridge in the morning and then we'll know for certain! I am gutted as we are planning on going away in the summer too but no way we can afford to do the E driving test and other half wants to keep the discovery! Just glad we've still got the tent for back up!

Think other half is going to take it to a weigh bridge in the morning

It's not the actual weight of the outfit - it is the MAM(maximum authorised mass) of the car plus the MTPLM of the caravan.  So, if the Disco has an MAM of 2700kg you can only tow a trailer with a maximum permissible mass of 750kg.

Sorry

Mike

Yes, that is correct.

Bonkers law really, as it is potentially a safer match with a heavier towcar. As someone said, the Law is an ass.

In the end we ended up going to the seaside for the day and stopped with some friends overnight in their tent! Kids were fine about it bless them (3yrs and 4yrs old). Spoilt them rotten while there to make up for it and taking them out to a theme park near us on Wednesday instead.

We're changing the car and may consider siting the caravan somewhere - give it a go for a season and see if its for us.

its such a stupid rule- my hubbie can tow but i carnt as i past my test after 1997 he did his before so tows our van! i dont see why they have such a stupid rule of the 3500kg max i would love to tow on the open road(tow on privart land) but dont see why i should have to pass a silly 2day test on the subject!

hope you get it sorted

the woods