So I have changed my twelve year old car for a 6 year old car but I have a potential issue.
Prior to buying the new car I did a search on the exact model on all the tow matching websites, they all reported an excellent match for my outfit. The three websites also stated the car had a maximum braked tow weight of 1500kgs.
Today the V5 for my car turned up, the first time Ive seen it. Basically it says the car was registered elsewhere in the UK (to my surprise the dealer did not tell me this) and the technical permissible maximum towable mass for a braked trailer is listed as 1090kgs on the V5. A lot less than expected. For information the V5 max. permissible mass and mass in service of the car is 1351 on the V5.
My van has a specified Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 876 and Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1135.
So if I load my van less than the MTPLM and less than 1090 am I legal to tow on the weights, or do I need a vehicle that can tow a mass greater than the 1135 of the caravans MTPLM?
Bit pee'd with the dealer and will also look into my legal rights on that side, as he know I wanted to tow with it.
What does the weight plate on the car say? Is it possible that the weights on the car are the weights you were expecting and the V5 is showing incorrect information?
Sadly, the towing websites can not be relied on for accurate data on cars or caravans. You should always input your own data.
1090kg is low for a car. what car is it.
Some cars are called Eco versions and a lot of these have ridiculously low tow weights. Is yours one of them.
My guess would be you can tow up to the limit of the cars V5 limit or the plated limit on the car. However, be aware that a lot of vans are heavier than they say they are. Some have extras fitted not included in the catalogue weight. There should be a certificate of conformity in amongst the paperwork for the van which should show it's weight (MIRO) when it left the factory.
Is there a Gross train weight and a max vehicle weight for the car.
Just checked the car, VW Golf MK6 2.0TDI GT 140, it has a black sticker on the inside of the door which has four weights listed on it
1920 kg
3460 kg
1- 1090 kg
2 -0880 kg
So I assume 2 - 1090 is the max tow weight. So if the vans total weight with all our stuff in, as we normally load it, is less than 1090 I take it we are OK, even if the van could be loaded at a higher weight?
As I understand it 1920 is the max weight of the car and 3460 is the max gross train weight. Weight 1 is the max front axle load and weight 2 is the max rear axle load.
The max trailer weight is 3460-1920=1540.
I am wondering if you have the correct V5 for your car. Do the chassis numbers etc match those on the car? You might have to get in touch with VW to query the weights and get an explanation for the differences.
So been through the hand book this morning and it seems who ever supplied the information for the V5 has made a complete hash of it! With the data on the V5 I cannot carry any load!
It sounds like there are mistakes on the V5. If the mass in service is 1351 the max permissible mass would be 500 kg or so higher eg 1920 kg otherwise you would not be able to carry any passengers or luggage at all. Hopefully someone with some common sense will see that this is totally wrong.
I think you need to get in touch with DVLA or whatever they are called this week and start the ball rolling with getting them to admit the V5 is incorrect. You may need to get confirmation from VW of what the correct figures are but a photo of the weight plate on the car may be enough to convince everyone that the documents are wrong.
Where was this car originally imported from? Some countries have different regulations which affect the way the car is taxed etc so the weights are changed slightly to help increase sales. An Astra in France for example is usually plated with a max train weight of just under 3500 kg so it can tow at the higher speed limit but the same car registered in the UK will be plated over 3500 kg and will be subject to the lower speed limit when towing in France.
Did you check that the chassis numbers etc on the car match the numbers on the V5?
Before going to all that bother, the V5 is not neccessarily accurate even on new cars bought from dealers. MY Mitsubishi ASX has a V5 towing weight of 1400kg. This is the advertised towing limit too. However, every UK ASX since it was first brought out 6 years ago has a plated towing limit of 1470kg.
While not a problem for me, if I'm ever stopped, they will check the plated weight not ask me for the V5, which obviously I don't carry.
Practical caravan review on youtube puts kerbweight at 1351kg, max tow 1500kg (obviously not recommended). 85% guide for caravan weight is 1148kg. Gets a good review have a look. If your still unsure take it to a weighbridge and get an accurate kerbweight figure.
------------- I went to the top of the mountain...and looked over the other side!
Quote: Originally posted by jonnydee on 23/7/2016
Just checked the car, VW Golf MK6 2.0TDI GT 140, it has a black sticker on the inside of the door which has four weights listed on it
1920 kg
3460 kg
1- 1090 kg
2 -0880 kg
So I assume 2 - 1090 is the max tow weight. So if the vans total weight with all our stuff in, as we normally load it, is less than 1090 I take it we are OK, even if the van could be loaded at a higher weight?
Post last edited on 23/07/2016 22:26:02
Not for a VAG weight plate and now all EU weight plates.
Top line = kerb weight.
2nd line = maximum train weight.
3rd line = front axle limit.
4th line = rear axle limit.
First figure is Gross Vehicle Weight ( max wht of loaded car ). Kerb Weight isn't quoted on the Vin Plate. Sites often refer to Kerb Weight but in fact it has no legal definition.