Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Need new van and 85% rule
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
06/8/2019 at 1:55pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View iank01's Profile View Profile   Reply to iank01 Reply   Quote iank01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4061

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 5
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 10
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by SamandRose on 06/8/2019
Hi Gail. I'm probably spouting a load of stuff you already know but indulge me.

The ratio of car kerb weight to caravan weight is only one variable, and in my humble opinion far too much emphasis is placed on it at the expense of all else.

The single most important consideration is the car's maximum towing limit, because it's illegal to exceed this irrespective of weight ratios. Bear in mind too that this is the maximum weight that you can tow (in the same way that 60mph is the maximum speed that you can legally drive at on a derestricted single carriageway road). It doesn't always follow that you should.

Assuming that the maximum towing limit is not exceeded in either case, you should also consider your car's engine performance. For example, the 1.0 petrol version of the VW Golf probably weighs about the same as the turbodiesel GTD, but the latter will tow much more comfortably.

I'm guessing that you have reasonable experience of your car both driven solo and towing your old caravan, and therefore you can probably judge better than we can about how well it performed and how much more weight you think it can cope with. But to answer your initial question (and as others have said), provided that you think that your car is capable I wouldn't be too worried about towing at 94%, not least because this is closer to a theoretical worst case scenario than reality.



I don't think it is illegal to exceed the car's maximum towing weight as on many cars this information is not available. However it is illegal to exceed the towing vehicles maximum gross towing weight.
Also the maximum speed when towing on a single carriageway is 50mph or lower if the signs indicate it is a lower zone however I assume you meant when not towing.


06/8/2019 at 9:20pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   557

Site Reviews Total: 27
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 3  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 16
Site Nights 2019: 13
Site Nights 2018: 3

Iank01 - you are technically correct on both counts and I will admit that I just couldn't be bothered to go into that level of detail. The weight that cannot be exceeded is the 'maximum gross train weight', which is the maximum permissible weight of the car and trailer combined. In theory therefore, you can tow more than the car's towing limit provided that the car itself weighs less than its full capacity by the same amount. However, common sense says that it would be lunacy to do this.

And yes, I meant when not towing - however it was just an illustrative example

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


via mobile 07/8/2019 at 6:21pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
View bessie500's Profile View Profile   Reply to bessie500 Reply   Quote bessie500 Quote  
Joined: 11/9/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2094

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 11
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Gailboney I haven’t read all the post and I don’t know what car your buying, but it’s often the case that the published kerbweights are lower that what the cars actually weigh on a weigh bridge. My car is a good 100kgs over its published kerbweight, remember the higher the spec the heavier the car

Hope this helps

Bessie


via mobile 11/8/2019 at 7:24am
 Location: Ayrshire Scotland
 Outfit: Santa Fe CRDi + Swift Conqueror 645
View Supatramp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Supatramp Reply   Quote Supatramp Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1126

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 07/8/2019
Gailboney I haven’t read all the post and I don’t know what car your buying, but it’s often the case that the published kerbweights are lower that what the cars actually weigh on a weigh bridge. My car is a good 100kgs over its published kerbweight, remember the higher the spec the heavier the car

Hope this helps

Bessie



Maybe if you had read the rest of the post, you'd realise that it isn't a car that they're buying!!!


-------------
David.


I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!


via mobile 11/8/2019 at 10:55pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
View bessie500's Profile View Profile   Reply to bessie500 Reply   Quote bessie500 Quote  
Joined: 11/9/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2094

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 11
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Then I still stand by the above weigh your car it might be heavier than you think and it might give you peace of mind

That sit a bit better with you supatramp

Bessie

Bessie


Advertisement



via mobile 12/8/2019 at 2:49pm
 Location: Southport
 Outfit: Mondeo Titanium Swift Challenger 580
View Big Roy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Big Roy Reply   Quote Big Roy Quote  
Joined: 03/7/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   638

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 07/8/2019
Gailboney I haven’t read all the post and I don’t know what car your buying, but it’s often the case that the published kerbweights are lower that what the cars actually weigh on a weigh bridge. My car is a good 100kgs over its published kerbweight, remember the higher the spec the heavier the car

Hope this helps

Bessie



You are quite correct Bessie, my Mondeo kerbweight is published as 1572kg but is actually 1700kg as per my local weigh bridge


via mobile 12/8/2019 at 8:26pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Sterling & Superb
View gailbonney's Profile View Profile   Reply to gailbonney Reply   Quote gailbonney Quote  
Joined: 31/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1359
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 36
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 3  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 5  
Site Nights 2024: 3
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 7
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 16
Site Nights 2018: 24

Well soon find out how it goes as we pick her up on Thurs then head straight for Folkestone!

-------------
Gail

Izzy 15.11.02 -25.12.12 RIP my beautiful girl
Lottie 15.08.99 - 07.12.13 RIP dottie Lottie
Millie ? - 03.05.14 RIP beautiful mad Mills

2024
April - Anglesey
Aug - Normandy & Brittany avec les chiens!






14/8/2019 at 6:28am
 Location: Tidbury Green
 Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442
View Tidburyboy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tidburyboy Reply   Quote Tidburyboy Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1443
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 2

Quote: Originally posted by gailbonney on 12/8/2019
Well soon find out how it goes as we pick her up on Thurs then head straight for Folkestone!



Wow, exciting! Hope it all goes smoothly for you and enjoy your trip

-------------
2022 Skoda Karoq 2.0 Tdi



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














9193 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder