Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Towing Weights Post Reply Post New Topic
10/2/2012 at 2:24pm
 Location: South
 Outfit: VW T4 Hightop
View SebastianB's Profile View Profile   Reply to SebastianB Reply   Quote SebastianB Quote  
Joined: 30/5/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   29

Site Reviews Total: 0
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

A colleague of mine has just bought a caravan with a unladen weight of 1110kg and laden weight 1344kg.

His car has a maximum towing weight of 1300kg, is he legally allowed to to the caravan?



Regards.


10/2/2012 at 2:27pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
 Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4
View LlaniDavis's Profile View Profile   Reply to LlaniDavis Reply   Quote LlaniDavis Quote  
Joined: 28/6/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1963

Site Reviews Total: 12
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
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: 7
Site Nights 2018: 0

No.


10/2/2012 at 2:32pm
 Location: South
 Outfit: VW T4 Hightop
View SebastianB's Profile View Profile   Reply to SebastianB Reply   Quote SebastianB Quote  
Joined: 30/5/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   29

Site Reviews Total: 0
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

Even if the Caravan is not fully laden, say just 1250kg?



Regards.


10/2/2012 at 2:33pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Jeep Grand Cherokee
View TonyC52's Profile View Profile   Reply to TonyC52 Reply   Quote TonyC52 Quote  
Joined: 10/6/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1481

Site Reviews Total: 13
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 understanding is that the maximum plated weight of hte trailer must not exceed the max towing weight of the car.

On the figures stated it would be illigal and invalidate insurance.



-------------
Tony C


10/2/2012 at 2:53pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0

Well I like to categorise these weights into three divisions which are satisfactory, average and critical. Now if a person is a newbie to caravanning then I would recommend the first and if you are experience then I would go as far as average but to go to the critical level I would avoid which is what I would suggest this is. If however the payload was reduced to the absolute minimum then there is a possibility that that the average catagory could be achieved but you would have to tow with caution. Like TonyC stated in his post that regarding the insurance is quite true and if ever a claim was made that could indeed invalidate the insurance. So to answer your question, I would say in legal terms the answer is no.


Advertisement



10/2/2012 at 3:00pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Angus1215's Profile View Profile   Reply to Angus1215 Reply   Quote Angus1215 Quote  
Joined: 26/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   650

Site Reviews Total: 5
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

Depends upon his licence and when he took his test.


10/2/2012 at 3:52pm
 Location: Rochdale
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc
View janus's Profile View Profile   Reply to janus Reply   Quote janus Quote  
Joined: 05/2/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2979

Site Reviews Total: 0
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 SebastianB on 10/2/2012
A colleague of mine has just bought a caravan with a unladen weight of 1110kg and laden weight 1344kg.

His car has a maximum towing weight of 1300kg, is he legally allowed to to the caravan?



Regards.

The simple answer is that with that information nobody can tell you. We need more information, first when did he take his test, the important date when things changed is 01/1/1997 after which extra restrictionsly, then we need to know what the kerbweight of the car is this can be ound on the v5,and also what the maximum train weigh and maximum gross weights of the car are both can be found on the cars vin plate. Once we know this we can tell you, the cars maximum owingnweigh hat you find in he handbook is a bit of a red herring in legal terms as it is an advisary that the manufacturers can impose in any guarantee work, though he would be unwise to exceed it.



-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


11/2/2012 at 4:15pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
View birdman101's Profile View Profile   Reply to birdman101 Reply   Quote birdman101 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2689

Site Reviews Total: 0
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 think you will find this had been well talked about on CARAVAN TALK


11/2/2012 at 4:52pm
 Location: Keswick
 Outfit: Bailey
View cwdc56768's Profile View Profile   Reply to cwdc56768 Reply   Quote cwdc56768 Quote  
Joined: 11/12/2009

Diamond Member
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

What you need to be looking at (for legal purposes) is the gross train weight and deduct from that the Gross vehicle weight. The resultant figure is the maximum that the car can legally tow. If that is 1300 then he cannot tow the caravan. Sometimes manufacturers give a max towing weight as an advisory figure relating to the car's ability to move off uphill. The towing figure can be different from the gross train weight less the gross vehicle weight.

It is then the actual weight that you pull rather than what the MTPLM could be for these purposes.

If your friend's Licence was obtained after Jan 1997 he may have other issues anyway and that is a whole new range of answers!!!!

Apart from what the law says, he really shouldn't be towing with those facts in his knowledge and should be looking for a new tow car.

Phil



-------------
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    


11/2/2012 at 5:02pm
 Location: Rochdale
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc
View janus's Profile View Profile   Reply to janus Reply   Quote janus Quote  
Joined: 05/2/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2979

Site Reviews Total: 0
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

Not so, with a b+e licence you can legally tow any combination providing that you do not exceed the mtplm of the caravan, the mam of the car and the max groos train weight for th car as plated on the vehicles. If we are being very specific the absolute aximumtowing weight for the car is the maximum gross trin weight minus the unladn mass of the car, this weight then recuces in line with whatever weight you put in the car.


-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


Advertisement



11/2/2012 at 5:57pm
 Location: durham
 Outfit: bailey
View ldpdmp's Profile View Profile   Reply to ldpdmp Reply   Quote ldpdmp Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1188

Site Reviews Total: 4
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

if you have to do your sums to such an extent to decide whether to tow a van or not  you have the wrong combination    do you know the max allowed by the manufacturer   if you are over this you don't tow    if there is an accident and the police do their sums and you are  on the wrong side not only do they get you but the insurance may well be nullified    keep on the safe side  otherwise you risk far too much



15/2/2012 at 4:24pm
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti
View bobmel's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobmel Reply   Quote bobmel Quote  
Joined: 26/8/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1593

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
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: 7
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

what can I tow

There loads of forums on this subject if you do a search

-------------
Robert (BoB)


07/3/2012 at 8:01pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Grand Cherokee & Unicorn Barcelona
View Dogruff's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dogruff Reply   Quote Dogruff Quote  
Joined: 03/3/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   42

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


Max permitted trailer weight should never exceed the vehicles tow capacity so irrespective of the licence holders categories this combo is unlawful on the public road.

If you think about it overloading arguments at the roadside would go in the direction of "you see officer ive only got half a tank of fuel and a litre of petrol weighs about .7 kg so im not overladen because.............."

Not a chance. its what the plates say.




08/3/2012 at 6:23pm
 Location: Eastbourne East Sussex
 Outfit: Elddis WistonGT
View littlejack40's Profile View Profile   Reply to littlejack40 Reply   Quote littlejack40 Quote  
Joined: 07/12/2005

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   410

Site Reviews Total: 6
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

If your friend can keep the load in the caravan down to a minimum he could possibly get in down rated by the manufacturers by 50kg . They usually charge about £50 for a new rating plate - check with a main dealer for the brand.


08/3/2012 at 7:10pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Grand Cherokee & Unicorn Barcelona
View Dogruff's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dogruff Reply   Quote Dogruff Quote  
Joined: 03/3/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   42

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

I see where you're coming from littlejack but is that really a viable option? what I'm thinking is that user loading margins are normally slim anyway and they'll probably remain very close to the 100%.


08/3/2012 at 7:14pm
 Location: Rochdale
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc
View janus's Profile View Profile   Reply to janus Reply   Quote janus Quote  
Joined: 05/2/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2979

Site Reviews Total: 0
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 Dogruff on 07/3/2012

Max permitted trailer weight should never exceed the vehicles tow capacity so irrespective of the licence holders categories this combo is unlawful on the public road.

If you think about it overloading arguments at the roadside would go in the direction of "you see officer ive only got half a tank of fuel and a litre of petrol weighs about .7 kg so im not overladen because.............."

Not a chance. its what the plates say.





Incorrect it is what the eeighbridge says that matters.



-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci



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

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6999 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


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder