Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Towing weight confusion (AGAIN!!!!)

dannyo

05/5/2010 at 8:23pm
Location: Fareham
Outfit: .Not yet but soon and for.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/10/2003

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 7

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

know I know, this has been covered a million times no doubt but I'm really confused and the more I read, the more confused I get!

Right, the kerbweight is 1530 kgs
Towing limit (driver only) 1500 kgs
Towing limit (all other cases) 1150 kgs - yes it's a Renault!!!
Max train weight 3250 kgs
Max vehicle weight 2160 kgs

So, I'm working on Renault to get assurance that the lower towing limit of 1150 kgs can be largely disregarded and as long as I don't exceed the max tow weight and stay under max train weight I am legal.

However, I now find this on the govts. website:

Quote:

The plate will look something like this:
VIN No (This is sometimes called the chassis number and it is unique to that specific vehicle)
XXXX KG (The maximum vehicle weight, e.g. the total weight, it does not include any trailer weight)
XXXX KG (The maximum train weight, vehicle plus trailer)

XXXX KG (maximum load front axle)
XXXX KG (maximum load rear axle)

So if for example you have a car with a maximum weight of 2180 kg and a train weight of 3980 kg the maximum towing capacity will be 3980 kg minus 2180 kg which gives a towing capacity of 1800kg

Working this for my car I'm getting a max tow weight of 3250 kgs - 2160 kgs = 1090 kgs!!
This is less than even the lower towing limit specified by Renault.

If the police are using MVW + MTPLM to ascertain train weight then I can only tow van of up to 1090 kgs legally which flies in the face of all the advice given on any websites and in magazines which base their calculations based on the kerbweight of the car and not on MVW.

I've read various threads about this on this website and others and they don't seem to make things clearer.

What in the world is the right figure and how the hell do I work it out???

Cheers

-------------
Why do today what can possibly be put off until next week?!

G7ACU

05/5/2010 at 10:16pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/9/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2617

Site Reviews Total:	11

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

Renault are fairly notorious for their confusion with towing weights etc., so much so that I contacted them direct for clarity and got correspondance back which confirmed the weight does not vary with loading in the car (which is the misconception) and that you must only ensure you are within the limits of the car for maximum towing weight, vehicle weight and train weight.
Before I go further into this, could you post your cars details; models, engine etc.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!

Grampian91

06/5/2010 at 12:34am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6893

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

The gross vehicle weights is what you must never exceed when towing.

Most manufacturers have a lower towing limit for a loaded vehicle. Not easy to gain the information required from them. Towhitch and gross vehicle weights are the figures to go by.

Just posted this (link below).

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=20&TopicID=215756&PagePosition=1

GVW vs Towing weight

nelmo

06/5/2010 at 9:35am
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Valencia + Lexus RX400h

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/6/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1567
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	24

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
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:	2
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by dannyo on 05/5/2010
know I know, this has been covered a million times no doubt but I'm really confused and the more I read, the more confused I get!

Stop reading then

I think you're worrying too much - your car says it has a max tow-weight of 1500 kg, so make sure the MTPLM of your intended van is less than that.

Then put the details of your car and van in the WhatTowcar website, and check the weight ratio is less than 85% (but can be anything up to 100% if you feel confident towing).

Job done...

-------------
'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain

Andy R

06/5/2010 at 9:53am
Location: Brigg North Lincolnshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/9/2004

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1177

Site Reviews Total:	16

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 G7ACU on 05/5/2010
Renault are fairly notorious for their confusion with towing weights etc., so much so that I contacted them direct for clarity and got correspondance back which confirmed the weight does not vary with loading in the car (which is the misconception) and that you must only ensure you are within the limits of the car for maximum towing weight, vehicle weight and train weight.
Before I go further into this, could you post your cars details; models, engine etc.

When I had a Renault, I did this as well and got a letter from Renault to confirm that the only weight that was important was the Gross Train Weight. The driver-only figure can be disregarded.

dannyo

06/5/2010 at 2:01pm
Location: Fareham
Outfit: .Not yet but soon and for.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/10/2003

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 7

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

[QUOTE]Before I go further into this, could you post your cars details; models, engine etc.

2007 Laguna Sport Tourer 2.2dci

[QUOTE]When I had a Renault, I did this as well and got a letter from Renault to confirm that the only weight that was important was the Gross Train Weight. The driver-only figure can be disregarded.

I have been in touch with Renault customer service and it seems they are prepared to issue a letter to that effect. I will wait and see what turns up in the post.

The info on the govt. website is what had me concerned really.

-------------
Why do today what can possibly be put off until next week?!

cwdc56768

06/5/2010 at 2:02pm
Location: Keswick
Outfit: Bailey

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/12/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3150

Site Reviews Total:	8

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

I quess you may a Laguna. Absolute rubbish to tow with.............dump it.

Phil

P.S. Now if that doesn't get the Laguna owners on here giving you all the comfort you need....verse and chapter on towability/weights/ etc and loads of other useful guidance I don't what will

-------------
If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe

Andy R

06/5/2010 at 5:38pm
Location: Brigg North Lincolnshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/9/2004

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1177

Site Reviews Total:	16

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

I should add that the Renault was so unreliable that I got rid of it very quickly anyway!

Grampian91

06/5/2010 at 6:08pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6893

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

My sister bought one,less than 24 hours later the head gasket went. Took it back & got her money back.

664DaveS

07/5/2010 at 9:27am
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4383

Site Reviews Total:	55

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	6
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	55
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	56
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	20
Site Nights 2018:	41

Had a Renault Megane for 3 years, prior to that wife had a Clio both very reliable.

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!

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

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4154 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

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder