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Hi there,

We are just on the verge of buying a new caravan, we have a Peugot 307, 1.6 litre diesel, in the logbook it says that our maximum towing weight is 3130kg. Please could someone help with a few questions, I would really appreciate it in case we make a mistake.

1) How can I find out what the maximum length of caravan we can tow with our car?

2) Is that  3130kg a laden caravan or unladen?

3) What is the 85% figure I see mentioned in a few posts regarding weights?

Thanks all

I would say the figure you have quoted is the maximum train weight,that's the car and caravan combined.

The figure you will have to go by is the cars kerb weight depending on the model and as far as i could see yours is around 1200kg and 85% of that is the recommended weight you should have your caravan especially if you are new to towing.You cannot go over the cars maximum train weight either.

I think you are have to find a lightweight van or change the car,also depends when you passed your test.

By the way it's a 307 estate, does that make a difference?

Its quite common for the newbie to mistaken believe that any car can tow a caravan. Good advice given above and to follow. No point in finding out when you are on the road that you have the weight ratios badly wrong. Rolling backwards down a hill at traffic lights becasue the car cannot pull it is no fun at all...especially for the bloke behind you . Many a time, buying a caravan also involves buying a car. A lightweight van, to be pulled by your car, may not be the right van for your needs, especially if you have kids that will be using it. Kids tend to mean a heavier van because of the extra beds you need. I would suggest that you need to look for a van that will meet your requirements and then see what weight that is and then, probably, change your car to suit.

Phil

If it helps I would find a local weighbridge and go and weigh your car with you in the drivers seat and 3/4 tank of fuel, This will give you the actual kerbweight to work to as cars do vary depending on the fuel type, body shell and if its manual or auto. For example our X-Trail will be quoted on different websites between 1620 and 1711kg but when weighed with only 1/2 tank of fuel was 1820kg. I only did this because I wanted the peace of mind of knowing and no one can give you a guaranteed figure!

The other factor will be your maximum braked towing weight for your vehicle as mentioned above, this is the max braked weight your car can pull. This figure should be on your V5 document, for us its 2000kg. You should still work to 85% (approx) of your actual kerbweight but need to check that this figures doesn't exceed your max towing weight.

If your 85% limit is around 1150kg then there are some vans out there you may be able to tow depending on what you are looking for and the number of people. A 4 berth bailey ranger will come in fully loaded at 1179kg and we used to tow this with our old Vauxhall Vectra. As has been mentioned above you may find that a change of car is needed to get the van you want......from experience don't get a van that won't suit you and then regret it. You may be better changing the car to something heavier and then have a wider choice of vans.

Good luck with whatever you go for

We have a Peugeot 307 XSI 2.0 litre (not an estate) and managed to find a 1998 Lunar Ariva 4 caravan in extremely good condition. 

We originally visited a well known caravan dealer who's salesman tried to sell us a van that was far too heavy for our car to tow even though I knew it wouldnt pull it, so do your homework beforehand. 

 Good luck and happy hunting