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Dear All,

After many years camping & campervaning, we decided to switch to a caravan.

After several visits to caravan showrooms (about 12 different companies) we were advised by all that my Ford Mondeo '61 plate 1.6 econetic TDci estate could tow up to 1600kgs and that any caravan we purchased had to have a MTPLM equal to or less than this figure.

The van we purchased has a MTPLM of 1547KG and the MIRO is 1371kg.

I have since read about the rule of 85% (I know it’s only a guide but I still a bit worried).

When I tow, the van is nearly empty, no water, a lite gas bottle, a battery and EHU cable (all of which are included in the MIRO). I also carry a water barrel, waster container, a 3kg TV and some toilet roll! Any food left on board is light (cornflakes/crisps).

 I have removed the table and the extra ladder and bunk equipment (it's a 6-berth) as we mainly use just 4 beds, and as I mentioned above the water tanks (heater & toilet flush) are empty so I reckon I am not far above the MIRO - certainly not anywhere near the MTPLM.

 The cars weights are: 2265kg gross vehicle weight and 3865kg gross train weight.

 Again, when we tow, the car is pretty "full" e.g. 2 adults, 2 small children, fullish fuel tank, food & drink, clothes and anything we decide to take for the caravan (sometimes an awning, chairs, bbq). It varies depending where we are going and how much time we are spending in the van (sometimes it’s just a bed for the night).

 I have been a little worried that we are well over the 85% guide, but am I right in tricking myself into believing I can use a modified 85% rule?. As I am towing a caravan nearer to its MIRO than MTPLM weight and as my vehicle weight maybe near the gross vehicle weight can I do the sums that way?.

 I have never experience any issues when towing (I admit I am not an experience tower), but have travelled around France and the UK for about 4 weeks without any issues.

 Any advice/guidance/reassurance would be gratefully received.

 Regards

 Paul

Hi and thanks for the speedy replies.

I passed my test prior to 1997 so have a "full" licence. The car is a works car, so if I was to have any issues (clutch/gearbox) that would be picked up by them. This is not a good way of viewing it, but I do pay a contribution to it.

I was using the term "modified rule of 85%" to try to settle my mind that by not towing the van full to MTPLM weight I might move away from the near 100% figure more towards the 90%. I will try to get to a weigh bridge to get some real figures and use these figures to see what % ratio I am actually pulling.

I have towed on various trips (some motorways, some hilly back roads) and have found the unit quite balanced and easy to tow, but if I would have know beforehand what I know now, I might have bought a different outfit.

Regards

Paul.

Your caravan weighs less than the car, in every other espect the outfit is a legal combination, you have found the outfit balanced and easy to tow and to top it all off it is a Mondeo which a lot of us on here will tell you is a fantastic tow car. You have no worries at all with that combination stop worrying about it and enjoy your caravan, just take it easy on the road and enjoy the drive as a part of your holiday to make sure that you get there safely.

My advice would be to weigh your car an a weigh bridge, I did this last year and was shocked at the weights.

Brochure weight starts from1557 for the 2 ltr 140 tdci the actual weight of my car with towbar fitted is 1630 kg car empty with 90% fuel add the 75kg driver as per euro guide lines takes the car to 1705 kg. 

Remember the higher the car spec the more weight, my car is a titanium x wich has leather, heated and cooled seats, auto lights wipers,bigger wheels all these pile the weight on, the estate is 20kg heavier.

I think the 1.6 tdci is 50kg lighter than the 2ltr (i could be wrong)  if your car  was the same spec as mine that would mean that your running at 92% with i would be happy with (some wouldnt) my only concern would be the engine, however some guys where i work are running the 1.6 and say its great you cant really tell the difference. I just think 1547 kgs is a big old lump to pull with a small engine

Bessie