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Topic: Confused with towcar requirements!

Hymer535

06/9/2013 at 10:01pm
Location: None Entered
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I've tried searching forums etc and asking people but I'm getting conflicting information.

I've recently bought a hymer 535bb mtplm 1700kg, MIRO 1377kg.

My 2005 Passat is kerb weight 1618kg , max tow weight. Is 1600kg. I have the older driving licence regulations.

Is it legal for me to tow the caravan as long as the caravan weighs less than 1600kg? Or do the police look at the mtplm?

The Caravan has a alko stabiliser. It tows a dream. I've done 200 + miles in strong winds with plenty of lorries around and no snaking whatsoever. Very unlike my younger days when towing little caravan with big 240 Volvo which snaked terribly.

We plan to go to France and wonder if legalities are different there?

We were toying with the idea of a vw sharan which has kerb weight 1678kg max tow weight 2000kg. If we loaded the caravan to 1700kg can we legally tow as this is within the max tow weight however over the 1678 kerb weight?

I don't want to get a 4x4 due to fuel and tax costs but obviously want to be within the law and insurance rules.

Thanks in advance for any info you may have.

Jack+Jon

06/9/2013 at 10:30pm
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Provided car & caravan together on a weighbridge does not exceed the gross train weight, which is maximum weight of car & caravan together then you are legal. The gtw will be indicated in car handbook. Same in France or any other country. In France if your car has gtw of over 3.5t then you are limited to 56mph when towing regardless of your actual weight. If the Sharan has a 2t tow weight then you can legally tow it.

Having said that Its a good idea for caravan weight to be about 85% of car weight on road so probably a 4x4 would be better, but your choice.

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Regards, Jack+Jon.

Grampian91

06/9/2013 at 11:31pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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The problem is when it does eventually get a bit out of shape your not going to have the weight to pull it back.

The van will win.

Have you actually weighed the van, It coule be over the MIRO before you start.

Then where will you put the passengers and luggage? Your probably closer to the cars gross train weight than you think.

You need something a LOT heavier..

You want a car that weighs close to 2000kg unladen.. Or more.

Sorry i think if you had an accident with your outfit the insurance will say its not suitable and not roadworthy.

When did you pass your driving test?

janus

07/9/2013 at 12:01am
Location: Rochdale
Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc

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You can legally tow the van as long as you do not exceed the cars max gross weight ( which includes the caravans nose weight ), nor the caravans max gross weight of 1700kg, providing that at the same time the actual weight of both together does not exceed the plated maximum train weight. However, should you choose to exceed the 1600kg manufacturers max towing weight and you have an accident you could find that this fact is given in evidence and used against you.

The insurance company is a red herring, they can not refuse to pay out on third party claims made against you that have been proven to be your fault unless they had given you written notice prior to the event that they were cancelling your insurance. They can however, refuse to pay out for any damages to you your car or your caravan.

The fact remains that towing that caravan with that car is anything but good practice as the likeleyhood of your caravan weighing more than your car is high, and any instability induced by outside forces will be difficult for the car to correct.

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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

chindley

07/9/2013 at 4:05pm
Location: Lowton Warrington
Outfit: Chevrolet Captiva 4x4.Lunar Quasar 524

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have you tried this site

Hymer530

07/9/2013 at 6:13pm
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Are you my brother

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Mike

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