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Topic: newbie here

kara_m

08/6/2010 at 9:55am
Location: fife
Outfit: caravan abi maurauder '87

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Hi I am new here and looking for some strange advice, I have owned an abi maurauder 1987 for a looong time now, my ex hubby was the tow man though and the van hasn't moved since we split.

We have a mobility car ford c max for my son and it is due for renewal in Nov this year so looking to put a tow bar on that is probably not worth it however we are determined the new car will have a bar from the start! However we would love to get away in the van this summer. Is there anyway without looking for a friend/relative to do this?

On the grounds of legalities I have a licence from before the new regulations so I can tow (though a daunting prospect for me hence the van no moving!) My new hubby was after the regs though and we thought he couldn't without the test but having read here it seems like our car and van will be well below the 3.5tonnes limit. A new c max for after the change 1s 1990kg (Diesel) and the van itself is a max of 1100kg laden making a max of 3090kg, so he would not need to sit the test, is this right?

Thank you in advance
Karen x

Greendemon315

08/6/2010 at 11:20am
Location: Blackburn Lancashire
Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery

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Is that 1990kg the maximum laden weight of the car? What is the Gross Train Weight?

Jim

Grampian91

08/6/2010 at 12:41pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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Seems the lightest C-Max is around 1300kg so towing a 1100kg gross van is with the limits.

One thing to watch is the maximum loading of the car, Too much weight over the rear axle and the gross train weight.

Adding a trailer may cut down the amount of luggage you can carry, Especially in the rear.

My mondeo estate has a max laden weight of 2195kg, The maximum towing limit is 1800kg. Almost 4 tons but i cannot do both.

The gross train weight car and trailer combined is approx 3600kg. Forgot the exact figure.

Also make sure the car you get is suitable for towing some models are not approved, ST220 on the mondeo for example.
Finally (i think) Some lower powered cars have much lower towing limits. Check check and check again.

kara_m

08/6/2010 at 1:31pm
Location: fife
Outfit: caravan abi maurauder '87

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I cannot find the gross train weight of the c max online and I am guessing that it will be different from my current one as that is a 1.8 petrol. The maximum towing for it is given as 1500kg but that would definitely be over the 3.5tonne limit for hubby anyway, the caravan is under 85% of the kerb weight given though if that helps?

the combined weight of our caravan and the c max specs would be 3090kg so hubby will not need to sit the towing test is that right?

Opensauce

08/6/2010 at 2:44pm
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If car has gross weight of 2tonnes & caravan has gross weight of 1100kg, comes to 3.1tonnes so well under 3.5tonnes, so can be driven by post '97 licence holder without further test.

chriska1111

08/6/2010 at 9:13pm
Location: Burntwood Staffs
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6

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This is interesting...

My brother in law passed his test after the 97 restrictions.

He is going to buy a caravan but as far as hes aware he has to take a test. Is this not the case?

He has an audi a4 estate which i would guestimate at around 1800kg, with an average 1300kg van that would be 3100kg. Does this rule mean as long as he stays under 3500kg for both car and van he is ok?

He will be off to the dealers this weekend if thats the case.

Grampian91

08/6/2010 at 9:33pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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The unladen weight of the car MUST be greater than the Maximum loaded weight of the van, Whether its loaded upto its limit or towed empty.

So 1300kg would depend on what model & year A4.

chriska1111

08/6/2010 at 9:41pm
Location: Burntwood Staffs
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its a 2005 audi avanti, will look up the weight

kara_m

08/6/2010 at 9:47pm
Location: fife
Outfit: caravan abi maurauder '87

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hubby is soo pleased tonight yee ha mind you so am I lol, having said that dad (who towed for years) is going to take us both out for practise!

Is there anyway at all to hire a tow car for this year though? It's so close now but sooo far being as we have to wait on the change of car in November arghh I want to go now lol

Grampian91

10/6/2010 at 1:32am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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SHB hire vehicles with towbars, tend to be landrovers & large 4x4's or pickups.

Worth a ring.

http://www.shb.co.uk/

Greendemon315

10/6/2010 at 9:07am
Location: Blackburn Lancashire
Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery

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Of course, if you hire a large 4 x 4, it will probably put you over the 3500kg limit

Jim

kara_m

10/6/2010 at 10:00am
Location: fife
Outfit: caravan abi maurauder '87

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That's fabulous info will be checking that out, the over weight for one year wouldn't be too much of an issue as my license covers me (I passed too many years ago to count!) It would just mean not venturing too far this year. Thank you

-------------
Be kinder than necessary as everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

mjdawes

10/6/2010 at 1:35pm
Location: Milton Keynes
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A short term alternative may be to put it on a site for the summer and ask them to put it on the pitch before you arrive each time. No towing but you are restricted to one place, and you will need to find asite that will do this. A lot of them do though.

Of course you will need to get it there..........

LegsDownKettleOn

11/6/2010 at 6:35pm
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Interesting guideline in the latest copy of one of the caravan magazines but don't remember which one it was and I left mine in work

Basically, you need to add the gross weight of the car to the gross weight of the caravan. Regardless of whether you actually load either to capacity, the gross weight is the one that must be used. If this is below 3500kg and the car is heavier than the caravan you are ok and the weight of the caravan is less than the car manufacturers maximum then you are legal.

I also read somewhere that you can go to 4250kg, since you can tow a 750kg trailer with a 3500kg car. However I am not certain about that as there seem to be conflicting snippets of information.

Grampian91

11/6/2010 at 11:55pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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I have always worked it on that theory. My sister has a diesel mondeo hatchback which the gross train weight of 3490kg. Just inside the limit.

As long as she keeps to a caravan with a GVW of less than the cars kerbweight she cannot go over the limit no matter what figures they use.

I didnt think anyone who passed their test after 1997 can go over 3.5t at all. Cant be bothered reading it all again it gives me a headache.

They could have made it simple, Only legal to tow upto the cars kerbweight. Restrict the cars weight for new drivers?

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