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 a caravan Post Reply Post New Topic
Personraftguid1977
12/11/2012 at 12:53am
 Location: North west
 Outfit: Kalahari 8 View raftguid1977's Profile View Profile   Reply to raftguid1977 Reply   Quote raftguid1977 Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   357
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
Didn't pass test till after 1997

where do i stand on towing a caravan ?

the site government sites just take me in circles its all trailers.


Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)

help please

-------------
if there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water


Personjennifernn
12/11/2012 at 1:26am
 Location: NW of Glasgow
 Outfit: Sterling Searcher 2008 Volvo XC90 View jennifernn's Profile View Profile   Reply to jennifernn Reply   Quote jennifernn Quote  
Joined: 14/1/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9057
Site Reviews Total: 17
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 it basically means that the stated max weight of your car and caravan added together must be under 3500kg.

This is (I think) what is called the "train weight".

There is a max train weight for every car, but this is not necessarily the same as you will need to keep to.

Are you keeping to your existing car? If so, what are the relevant weights for it?

see here for some advice.....


http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-advice/getting-started/having-the-right-licence-to-tow/

Post last edited on 12/11/2012 01:34:06

-------------
Jennifer


Personjanus
12/11/2012 at 2:09am
 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 quite there yet.
With your licence you may tow a combination that has a maximum authorised weight of up to 3500kg providing that the caravans maximum weight does not exceed the cars kerbweight. You need to find the cars maximum weight from the weight plate on the car ( it is the top number) then you need the caravans maximum weight which is on the plate of the caravan, add these two together and if the answer is less than 3500 you are probably in business. Now look at your V5 document and find the mass in service, if this is more than the caravans maximum weight then you can tow the combination.

-------------
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


PersonOpensauce
12/11/2012 at 7:20am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530
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
Just post up what car you have & what caravan you intend to tow with it & we'll put you right. Generally speaking with your licence you are ok with something like a Mondeo sized car & a caravan well within that type of car's towing limit, say about 1200kg all up but if you want to tow a larger caravan with a 4x4 you will need to take an extra test.


Personjanus
12/11/2012 at 11:28am
 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

Mk3 Mondeo with a 1450kg caravan is legal in all respects and a superb towcar, wonderfully stable, economical, comfortable and adequately powered.

 



-------------
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



Personraftguid1977
12/11/2012 at 3:22pm
 Location: North west
 Outfit: Kalahari 8 View raftguid1977's Profile View Profile   Reply to raftguid1977 Reply   Quote raftguid1977 Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   357
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
car kurb weight is 1205kg Astra diesal 1.7cdti 52 plate

ive no idea right now what caravan so was looking for advice before i go looking find one i like and then cant tow it.

ive noticed the towing weight on autotrader says

1150 kg braked
600kg un braked

so i am assuming some caravans comes with a braking kit built in ?

cheers for putting it in right place admin


-------------
if there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water


PersonGrampian91
12/11/2012 at 4:27pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
Virtually all caravans come braked.

Only trailers that have a gross laden weight of less than 750kg are unbraked.

Yes the maximum braked trailer/caravan you can tow with your car is a fross laden weight of 1150kg.
Beware sellers that give you the MIRO or UNLADEN weight.
Its the gross weight you need to check.

Ideally you want to keep to a caravan with a gross laden weight of under 1000kg.

73bhp for that engine. Its not a lot when your doubling the weight.


PersonOpensauce
12/11/2012 at 4:44pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530
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
Keeping within your car's max limit you are ok to tow with your licence. Now you need to understand caravan weights. as a guide, an older 'van with 14ft body length or less is probably what you are looking for, you don't want a loaded weight of much more that a tonne.


Personraftguid1977
12/11/2012 at 10:47pm
 Location: North west
 Outfit: Kalahari 8 View raftguid1977's Profile View Profile   Reply to raftguid1977 Reply   Quote raftguid1977 Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   357
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
Cheers all.

really appreciate your time

-------------
if there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water


Personbobmel
12/11/2012 at 11:13pm
 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
Hi, the camping and caravan club have this guide, hope this helps, but keep asking on this forum you can't go wrong.

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



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...

7584 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