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Subject Topic: Please check my maths! Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonKevinH
21/7/2018 at 10:59pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: Cabanon Rotonde View KevinH's Profile View Profile   Reply to KevinH Reply   Quote KevinH Quote  
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Hello!

We're considering buying our first caravan. Along with all the usual homework, I've been reading up on how much you can/should tow. I've had a licence for 35 yrs.

I'd appreciate any feedback on my maths which is as follows:

I've got a Kuga 2wd 2L TDCI Titanium X.

From the VIN plate:
Max Gross Vehicle Weight: 2250Kg
Max Gross Train Weight: 4150Kg
From the handbook:
Kerbweight 1614Kg inc. 75Kg driver.

If you add to the kerbweight an extra 25Kg for me, 75Kg for my significant other and 150Kg for luggage/stuff, this puts the weight of the car at 1864Kg (well below MGVW).

Assuming max 85% of kerbweight for MTPLM this would make the heavest van we should tow is 1584Kg. Total train weight would then be 3448Kg (700Kg below max).

Noseweight between 5 and 7% of MTPLM would be between 80 and 111Kg. Max towbar weight of the Kuga is 100Kg which is midway between these figures which also looks OK.

Can anybody see any flaws in my calculations?

Cheers!


PersonGrampian91
21/7/2018 at 11:27pm
 Location: Midlands
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85% of the cars kerbweight is 1372kg. Its the standard kerbweight not adjusted my adding more weight to the car.

But its a guideline only, not a legal requirement.

I would prefer a lot more weight in the car than the caravan. Your figures gives the car just 280kg over the caravan.

But the caravan has a higher centre of gravity.


PersonDecto
21/7/2018 at 11:44pm
 Location: Cheshire
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As Grampian said, weight guidance is based on quoted kerb weight, not loaded weight. Someone experienced with towing may be comfortable up to 100% kerb weight however a long heavy pendulum on the back of the car can have a dramatic effect.

Get a little too close to a coach on the motorway and you can soon upset the balance. Coaches are the worst as the sides are closed in from near the ground unlike other HGV.

Also the longer the van, the more weight is likely to be in front or behind the axle increasing the effect of sway.

1400kg should give you a good choice, but choice is yours on the end.


PersonMike3003
22/7/2018 at 10:44am
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150kg for luggage! 😳😳😳


Personbessie500
23/7/2018 at 10:25am
 Location: Lancashire
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This is the true kerbweightfor a 2016 Kuga

Hope this help someone, Just weighed the following

2016 ford Kuga 2wd 2ltr Titanium x with glass roof, no towbar fitted.Kerbweight 1670kgs (no Fuel) add 75kgs for driver = 1745 kgs

Bessie


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PersonKevinH
23/7/2018 at 9:13pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: Cabanon Rotonde View KevinH's Profile View Profile   Reply to KevinH Reply   Quote KevinH Quote  
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Thanks for the feedback. It's appreciated.

Some points - are we saying that I should only aim to match up to 85% based on the kerbweight, regardless of additional load in the car? If I do some comparisons on towcar.info they take into account the load in both van and car to calculate the weight ratio.

Perhaps 150Kg may be overstating the luggage (!), but with two bikes (plus roofbars and bike carriers), food, etc. it is going to come to a reasonable amount. Next time we go away I'll get the luggage scales out


PersonKevinH
23/7/2018 at 9:14pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: Cabanon Rotonde View KevinH's Profile View Profile   Reply to KevinH Reply   Quote KevinH Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 23/7/2018
This is the true kerbweightfor a 2016 Kuga

Hope this help someone, Just weighed the following

2016 ford Kuga 2wd 2ltr Titanium x with glass roof, no towbar fitted.Kerbweight 1670kgs (no Fuel) add 75kgs for driver = 1745 kgs

Bessie



Thanks Bessie. Very useful


PersonGrampian91
23/7/2018 at 10:55pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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Yes use the cars standard kerbweight when calculating the 85% figure.

Manipulating the figures by adding extra weight to the car should not be needed.



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