Message Forums

The figure of 970kg is the unladen weight of the caravan,the figure you have to use is the MTPLM which is as far as i can find out is 1200kg and Cuddles says your car has an unladen weight of 1240kg so you are nearer the 100% mark.

Andy

Cuddles is a website that has kerbweights listed, not always accurate though but usually reasonably close.  Google cuddles abelgratis to find it.

Your colleague may well be towing over his limit tbh, the Pageants are not light unless it is a really old one.

We have an Elddis Crown Regent, our MTPLM is 1050 kg and it is a 5 berth so you should be able to find a van that you can tow.

Ali

Quote: Originally posted by macpep1 on 07/7/2009

---

...... the MTPLM is 1200 on the van and my cars towing limit is 1300kg according to the manual, with an unladen weight of 1313kg?

---

So the MTPLM of the van is less than the max tow limit of the car, and 91% of the kerbweight?

Whilst this exceeds the 85% recommendation for novice towers, it is not illegal.

Check that you won't exceed the Gross Train Weight of the car (that should be given on the plate which is usually attached in the engine compartment) - MTPLM of caravan added to max authorised weight of car - normally the towing limit specified by the manufactuere keeps you within it, but some cars do have funny limits.

Load sensibly and keep within all the weight limits, drive carefully, and it should be ok.

Or look for a lighter van, as Ali says there are plenty about.

Thanks for all your replies as we are not new to camping but are new to towing, we are not going to be silly about this, I personally think my colleague was over the limit as his father in law has just written his caravan off!!!!  I don't know the age to be honest and he is away at the moment in sunny Ibiza.  Thanks Ali I will look at that van, can you separate the sleeping arrangements in the crown regent?  We are not looking to buy until Feb/March next year but if I am prepared then I know exactly what I am looking for, thanks to everyone again, you have all been a great help

Gross Train Weight is 3150kg, just checked manual

Never thought of that, better start saving up quick then and keep an eye on the market at that time.  Thanks for the tip

I have a crown regent 5 berth, It has a double bed at the front, a Double at the back with an over head bunk.  We have made a seperate insert for ours to it leaves a single bed as the back and the overhead bunk, it seems to work better this was for the kids and give more floor room.  The areas doent exactly separate, there is a curtain rail that runs around the double bed at the back and sort of separates the Beds at the back from the Front.  They are good light weight vans and ideal starter Van.  We have had ours for about 2 years now and it is great, we have added windows blinds all arround and added blown air heating. 

Unfortunotly we have got the Caravan bug now and we are thinking of getting a new or newish one with fixed bunks next year.