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Subject Topic: towing weights Post Reply Post New Topic
21/8/2008 at 10:20am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Avondale Mayfly
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If a cars kerbweight calculations takes in to account the driver's weight, do you have to subtract any additional payload in the car from the weight of the caravan that you can tow(85% rule applying)?

Cheers


21/8/2008 at 10:29am
 Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
 Outfit: Adria Win
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No, just deduct the drivers weight to get the true kerbweight then work out the 85% (recommended, not a rule) to get the MTPLM of a caravan which will match the car.

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Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.


21/8/2008 at 10:59am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Avondale Mayfly
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But, the payload in the tow vehicle would surely make some difference to the performance of the tow vehicle - standing starts on hills and the like?
I only ask because I had some difficulty getting in to a site that had a steep entrance with an outfit that was matched within 85%. My car had 5 adults in it and luggage.
I think that it was probably my inexperience with towing - I didn't keep the revs up.
The entrance was at 90 degrees from a lane which didn't give me enough opportunity to get the revs up. Nice smell of clutch!
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 towing 950kg caravan.

Cheers


21/8/2008 at 2:43pm
 Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
 Outfit: Adria Win
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Car manufacturers specify a maximum tow weight for a trailer, and also a maximum train weight for the car + trailer. The maximum tow weight is based on what the car will pull up a 12% gradient.

The maximum train weight is the gross vehicle weight of the car plus the MTPLM of the trailer.

So ........... if your car with 5 adults and luggage didn't exceed the gross vehicle weight, and providing that the caravan wasn't loaded above it's maximum weight MTPLM and was within the max tow weight, and the total of the gross vehicle weight and the MTPLM of the caravan didn't exceed the train weight......... then you shouldn't have had a problem.

When towing slowly, try not to use the clutch to control the speed, get it up and use the throttle instead. Easier in a diesel as they have better low down power, but possible in a petrol if you are careful. Do the same when reversing to avoid clutch burn.

It was probably a one off due to the tight entrance.



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Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.


21/8/2008 at 4:55pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch
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Caravan specs usually show two weights. Which is the one to use?
Alan


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21/8/2008 at 5:45pm
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW
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the two weights are these.
MIRO, mas in running order basicaly an empty can, with just battery/gas/cokking equipment in it (essential habitation)

MTPLM- Maximum Technicaly Permissable Laden Mass.
the MAXIMUM weight your van should weigh, after everything is put in it, the difference between the two is the payload.

technically you could use the MIRO weight, and carry everything in your car, but personally I use the MTPLM weight, then you know your still a good match when the vans loaded.


21/8/2008 at 7:14pm
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You dont need to be that exact, the 85% thing is a guide to give you some margin. if you tow right up to your cars limits then you have no margin which is why its best not to.

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Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!



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