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Various caravans have different weights so the first thing you need to do is look at the caravans you like best, have a look at the weight plate below the door and jot down the MIRO (unladen weight) and the MTPLM (fully laden weight). Once you have done this then you can calculate the match between the chosen car and caravan respectively. The recommended outfit match for a novice tower is 85% and the typical kerbweight of a Ford Focus C-Max 2.0 diesel is 1506 kgs. so 85% of this kerbweight is 1280 kgs. so you should be looking for an MTPLM of around 1300 kgs. which is exactly what my caravan is. You can check any outfit match by using the link below.

http://www.percentagecalculator.net/

Greetings Nutkins,

What you have been told so far is correct,

MTPLM of caravan = 85% of (not really more than), Unladen weight of car.

The MTPLM of a caravan is the MAXIMUM it should weigh when loaded.

The Unladen weight of car could only be less if you run with an empty tank. Thats because the Unladen weight of car assumes the fuel tank is 90% full.

It really makes not a jot to the whole outfit, as far as performance is concerned anyway, as to where you put all the 'stuff'' you take with you, Car or 'Van HOWEVER, if you fill the car with some equipment you  would ordinarily put in the caravan as well as the Other Half and snappers, the car is obviously going to weigh more and therefore, in principal your ratio will be less than 85% (AND THAT'S GOOD!!!)

Whatever you do, when buying a 'van, Don't take any notice of salesmen that try to tell you that you can tow the maximum figure your vehicle handbook says.

If you do you will have a miserable time towing and potentially put you and those nearest to you in danger 

IE My Audi A6 Avant 2.5 (Unladen 1710kgs) supposedly can tow an outfit of 1800kgs. I wouldn't dream of towing anywhere near this figure and I've been towing since the 80's.

What you want from a towcar is one that has a relatively high kerbweight but also an efficient and powerful engine (preferably diesel). Not all cars, especially in these Green times fit the bill. Some of them couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.