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Subject Topic: Can i tow this weight? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonZoobeef
19/3/2013 at 10:42pm
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Hi all.
Having some mixed messages about the joys of towing.
My car is a Mazda 6 hatch, in the handbook it says I can tow 1600kg with a max train weight of 3590kg
I'm looking at an Ifor trailer CT136TA which has a max load of 2000kg and weighs 495kg.
The car I will have on it weighs 1050kg so on the trailer the weight is 1545kg. So under the 1600kg towing capacity.

Does this mean as long as the Mazda with me and my kit comes to less than 2045kg to keep me under the max train weight I am all legal?

I have all my licences CE, C1E etc so that part isn't a factor.

Cheers for your help.
Mark


Personaudicab26
19/3/2013 at 11:46pm
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Mazdas claimed towing limit is what the car is technically capable of pulling without breaking any major components. Whether the car is safe or legal towing that amount of weight is another matter.

To stay safe and legal (as I understand it) the kerb weight of the car inc driver should be higher than what you are towing. The ideal would be that the trailer loaded, should weigh around 85% of the cars kerb weight.

There are lots of websites that will give you the kerb weight of your car if you stick 'Mazda kerb weight' into google. I'd be surprised if your car weighs much more than 1400-1500kgs if that though?

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon but the above is my understanding of how to workout what is safe/legal.

Hope that helps?

Welcome to UKCS by the way - loads of good advice on here


Persontango55
19/3/2013 at 11:51pm
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As audicab26 says, find out the kerbweight of your car first then calculate the 85% match for the trailer weight. Here is an online calculator that will instantly give you the results.

 

http://www.percentagecalculator.net/


PersonZoobeef
20/3/2013 at 12:41am
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Looks like my kerb weight is 1485kg according to parkers and therefore fails as the trailer needs to be under that.
The 85% is the reccomended not the legal isn't it. 2 different things?

Post last edited on 20/03/2013 00:48:35


PersonHacksaw Bob
20/3/2013 at 1:20am
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Yes, it is a recommendation, and apparently specifically for caravans rather than some other types of trailer -

"The Camping and Caravanning Club, like many others in the industry, recommends you only tow a caravan that weighs 85 per cent or less of your car’s kerbweight. Those who are experienced at towing may go up to 100 per cent of the car’s kerbweight, but no-one should tow a caravan that is heavier than the towing limit of the vehicle it’s behind. Legally, if you add together the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of your car and the MTPLM of your caravan, the total weight must not exceed the GTW of the car." - from this C&CC page.


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PersonZoobeef
20/3/2013 at 8:17am
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Why is the kerb weight of my car lower than the towing limit. That statement suggests they are the same!


PersonSkoda Bob
20/3/2013 at 11:50am
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Parker's guide tends to give the weights of the base petrol models only, they do not take into account that there will be a much heavier diesel in the line up

So does the DVLA on log books, best get your car weighed at the local weigh bridge


PersonZoobeef
20/3/2013 at 2:35pm
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Looked into it more and spoke to some more people and its looking like with the B+E licence you don't need to look at the kerb weight. Just as long as the trailers less than the towing capacity and it all stays below the max train weight. Hmmm.


PersonGreendemon315
20/3/2013 at 2:59pm
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The trailer is plated at 2000kg,so that is the weight that counts. I don't think you can even tow the empty trailer with this car. For example, if you went to Indespension to hire the trailer, you wouldn't be allowed to take it unless you had a Freelander or above..

It's not what it weighs, it's what it can weigh.

It is very rare to find a combination that allows you to tow a car with another car. You uually need a medium to large 4 x 4.

Jim


PersonZoobeef
20/3/2013 at 3:04pm
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Plated weights are EU law not UK. Nowhere on the governments towing sites does it mention plated weights.


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PersonGreendemon315
20/3/2013 at 3:29pm
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I've never heard that before, but I do know that people have been successfully prosecuted on plated weights. Are you saying thy can just be ignored?

This is a very difficult area. In your position I would email VOSA for a ruling.

Jim,


Personvwalan
20/3/2013 at 5:20pm
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if you have a pre 97 b+e licence you can tow any weight trailer so long as the trainweight of the tow car isnt exceeded.http://intranet.guests.co.uk/specifications/Iveco/2002%2011%20Specs%20and%20Body/Specs/DAILY/Drive%20Away/Iveco/Daily%20Artic.pdf
have a look here it shows an artic but train weight is the important thing

-------------
vwalan


PersonGrampian91
20/3/2013 at 6:16pm
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The trailers gross weight and the cars maximum gross weight must be less than 3500kg to tow on a B licence.

Exceptions to that. But does not apply to your Mazda 6.

Van or a RangeRover etc but not the average car or MPV.


PersonZoobeef
20/3/2013 at 6:17pm
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The plated weight comes into effect when towing on just a B licence.

With a B+E its not counted in the UK. Just the actual weights.

I have a post 97 licence but have B+E and C+E and C1+E



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