I notice that the "Towsafe hpi" charges £2.99 for a single match whilst the "Whattowcar" match website is free of course.
So why pay £2.99 for the "Towsafe hpi" match ?.
On the odd occasion that I have asked a dealer to print me a match report FOC of course I have noticed they use a dealer version of the "Towsafe hpi" match service.
And the results have often been different to what I have found on the "Whattowcar" match report.
I understand that these services are only for guidance, but I would have thought that they would give more or less the same results.
Its easy enough to work out your own match. The specs of both cars & caravans are easy enough to find on the net. As for what is 'safe' to tow, if you understand the laws of physics you can work that out for yourself.
Hi Tentz.
With all due respect, even Einstein did not fully understand the laws of Physics. although he did get most of it correct, which is what I think you mean.
The max tow weight of any car as indicated in the handbook has nothing to do with safe towing, it is purely a technical figure based on the cars capability of starting on a gradient with that weight. Any modern diesel car of 2litres is as good as another for towing a largish caravan, a 1.6 diesel is good for towing a med. size 'van or large if you want to use the gears. Obviously weight of caravan depends on weight of car.
The 85% 'suggestion' is a good one, a caravan somewhat lighter than the car will give a safer tow. However, it is not critical, if you wish to exceed that figure then you can do so within reason.
Info on any 'matching site' will simply be based on given spec of car & caravan. It will not be based on personal experience of towing that car with that caravan so as I said, you can work it out for yourself. If you are looking to buy any car or caravan you need to look at manufacturer literature or websites not info on other websites that might be incorrect.