Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
 Topic: Towing with a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
|
  |
06/6/2020 at 2:13pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 10/5/2016 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 |
|
Welcome to the minefield MdSmith! The answer to your question is neither simple nor short, but the below is correct to the best of my knowledge.
Start out by looking at the VIN plate on your car, which should either be inside the engine bay or on the B pillar behind one of the front doors. This should have two weights on it. The first is the maximum permissible weight of the car when fully loaded. The second is the 'gross train weight' which is maximum permissible weight of the car and a trailer combined (irrespective of whether the trailer is also loaded to its limit). The difference between the two is the car's towing limit, as specified by the manufacturer.
Let's say for simplicity that the car's maximum permissible weight was 2000kg, and the gross train weight was 3000kg. This would allow you to tow a caravan (or any type of trailer) weighing 1000kg. If the caravan's 'maximum technically permissible laden mass' (MTPLM) was 1100kg, you could still legally tow it provided that its actual weight was 1000kg or less.
I'm afraid it gets more complicated. The towing limits for many cars are well in excess of the weights of the cars themselves, and this is because they're (a) determined using trailers and not high-sided caravans, and (b) set by the manufactuers based on the weight that the car can physically move from a standstill on repeated hill starts. They have nothing whatever to do with what the car will comfortably cope with on the road.
The caravanning industry recognises that caravans, being high-sided, are inherently less stable than most other types of trailer, and also tend to be towed at higher speeds for longer distances. They therefore recommend - but it is only a recommendation - that the actual weight of a caravan should not exceed the car's kerb weight (essentially the unladen weight. If you can't find a value for kerb weight, 'mass in service' is close enough) even if the towing limit permits it. It's also widely advised that those new to towing should not tow more than 85% of the kerb weight, but this is crude at best and arbitrary at worst. It's certainly not the case that 84% is a guaranteed safe match but that at 86%, or even 90%+, stability problems are inevitable.
There's another complication if you got your full licence after 1997 and only have 'Category B' entitlement. In this case the maximum permissible weights of the car and the MTPLM of the trailer (note: NOT the actual weight this time) combined cannot legally exceed 3500kg.
This means that you might be able to tow a caravan with a Ford Focus and stay within the law, but to tow the same caravan with a Land Rover Discovery would be illegal. You might think that this is madness and I would have to agree, but it's what the law says. You can overcome it by taking an extended test to get 'Category B+E entitlement.
Post last edited on 06/06/2020 14:17:04
-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."
|
|
|
7002 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
|
|
|
via mobile 06/6/2020 at 7:20pm
