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Subject Topic: Confused about cars towing limits - help! Post Reply Post New Topic
Personkateestar
10/3/2016 at 6:54pm
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Hi,

We have an 11 month old airstream caravan. We've been towing it the last year with a Jeep Cherokee.

We've just come to sell our car and have gotten into a world of confusion.

Firstly, we wanted to buy a Ford Ranger or L200, which every dealer we've spoken to has said can tow 2.5 - 3 tonne. We test drove one today but checked the curb weight (online as dealer didnt know) which came in at 1400kg... with the 85% rule how can it tow over 2 tonne? (Our trailer is 1500kg). We've looked everywhere on line for the model info (regular cab, 2x4, 2.5 tdci, 2008) and got 5 different sets of contradicting information on allowable weights and limits.

Secondly, the trailer we are towing has a hand brake on the jockey wheel but doesn't have electric brakes on the tyres, therefore we are guessing it's classed as unbraked. The chap we bought it off spent a lot of our money to make sure it's safe to tow on UK roads and gave us a lot of information certifying it was, yet now we are reading more information that unbraked as it's over 750kg we have not been driving it legally. We are so confused and the more we read up the more confused we get.

Any clear concise advice would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you!


PersonOpensauce
10/3/2016 at 7:22pm
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Actual ability of vehicle to tow has nothing to do with kerbweight, it is combination of engine power & grip which is why 4x4 vehicle will have high tow weight. Nothing to do with towing safety either which is why suggestion of 85% weight ratio car/caravan is about towing safety, ie caravan has large side area affected by cross winds.

Having said that, L200 is about 1800kg kerb weight from memory & will easily tow 1500kg & I would think Ford Ranger would tow it ok as well.

For your Airstream you will have to take advice because you must get it right. 1500kg? Is that correct? It must be the smallest Airstream. You say it is 11mnths old, is it a European spec import or is it a secondhand US spec import? European spec & it will have correct brakes for UK/Europe. Unmodified US spec then electric brakes & 2inch hitch ball size.

If it still has the US electric brakes then in is legal to tow on UK roads provided your tow vehicle is suitably equipped for electric brakes. Also be aware that if it still has US hitch this will be for 2inch ball. This will fit onto UK 50mm ball but will be loose so may be dangerous to tow.

If it has been converted to UK overrun brakes then it will have had new axles & hitch fitted. Ie a very extensive modification but will be legal & safe to tow with normal UK towbar setup.

If it has no brakes then it is dangerous & not legal to tow. I would suggest you get a caravan mechanic to check your braking system.

If you can post up a picture of your caravan hitch then I can tell you if it is UK or US spec.

Post last edited on 10/03/2016 19:27:47


PersonRob and Tina
10/3/2016 at 8:37pm
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A quick look at the Airstream website shows the smallest model has an MTPLM of 1700 kg, 1500 is the unladen weight.

Rob


PersonOpensauce
10/3/2016 at 9:36pm
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Kerbweight of current Ford Ranger double cab is around 2tonnes so ok for caravan 1700mtplm. Older models of Ranger could be lighter as they were smaller.

Post last edited on 10/03/2016 21:42:19



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