Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 22/9/2017

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Fine in theory, except the advertised weights and the weights shown on the V5 do not match the actual weights shown on the statutory weight plate on the ASX.

Then when you add the fact that my Bailey has a non-statutory weight sticker on the side that does not match the statutory weight plate in the gas locker, it all becomes a bit of a mess.

Not an issue for me as both statutory plates have a weight 70kg higher than advertised, so it balances out.

However, I do agree with BJ that some cars advertising a 2000kg towing limit do not seem sensible given the actual size and weight of the car. I certainly would not consider a 2000kg caravan with an Outlander for instance.

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Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 22/9/2017

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Absolutely right! It beats me why the caravan club who are stalwarts for the 85% guide vote a yeti or a Dacia duster "tow car of the year" when if you apply the 85% rule there are not many family sized caravans they can tow. I guess the manufacturers actually grease the palm of the CC in some way.

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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 25/9/2017

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I wish everyone would forget about the 85% dinosaur , its not a rule, its a guid for first timers, also all manufacturers, have made their vehicles lighter, but improved their engines so I now go by the manufactures max towing weights minus around 20%
As an example if a manufacturer states a max of 1800KG , any van below 1600KG will tow just fine

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Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 25/9/2017

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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 25/9/2017

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I wish everyone would forget about the 85% dinosaur , its not a rule, its a guid for first timers, also all manufacturers, have made their vehicles lighter, but improved their engines so I now go by the manufactures max towing weights minus around 20%
As an example if a manufacturer states a max of 1800KG , any van below 1600KG will tow just fine

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It's each to their own here. The law says up to the manufacturers limit, which is not necessarily for caravans. A short utility trailer loaded with sand is going to behave differently to a long tall and wide single axle caravan. Also the distances and speeds are different for small trailers. If you guys want to tow at 120% and the limit on your car allows it then feel at liberty to do so. All I know is that the reality is towing a single axle anywhere near 100% is quite stressful. And towing at 70% is not

Baileyjake you’re on a hiding to nothing, he'll never learn and will always give poor advice.

Best of it is he doesn’t practice what he preaches; he's always towed a lightweight van with a lightweight car.
Last i heard was his van was in Cornwall and he lives in Scotland


Bessie

Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 25/9/2017

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Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 25/9/2017

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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 25/9/2017

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I wish everyone would forget about the 85% dinosaur , its not a rule, its a guid for first timers, also all manufacturers, have made their vehicles lighter, but improved their engines so I now go by the manufactures max towing weights minus around 20%
As an example if a manufacturer states a max of 1800KG , any van below 1600KG will tow just fine

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It's each to their own here. The law says up to the manufacturers limit, which is not necessarily for caravans. A short utility trailer loaded with sand is going to behave differently to a long tall and wide single axle caravan. Also the distances and speeds are different for small trailers. If you guys want to tow at 120% and the limit on your car allows it then feel at liberty to do so. All I know is that the reality is towing a single axle anywhere near 100% is quite stressful. And towing at 70% is not

Baileyjake you’re on a hiding to nothing, he'll never learn and will always give poor advice.

Best of it is he doesn’t practice what he preaches; he's always towed a lightweight van with a lightweight car.
Last i heard was his van was in Cornwall and he lives in Scotland


Bessie

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Ha Ha i was aiming my comments at the OP. i have seen some crazy outfits on the road, some must be illegal i am sure. i know i wont change Bobs opinion. sure its possible to tow a caravan up to the cars maximum its just a problem when:

- you have to change down into 3rd on the motorway and cause an obstruction to the HGVs
- your car throws in the towel on your way to your holiday and you have to be recovered (how many broken down cars and caravans have you seen before)
- you Cr*p your pants when you get hit by a side wind
- you end up with a car facing the wrong direction on the motorway and your pride and joy ends up as a pile of match wood.



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First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara