Towing At Just Under 100% Kerbweight

[outnumbered]

HI ALL
i have a volvo T5 kerbweight 1600kgs looking at the Pageant Limousin MTPLM 1578 put the combination in what towcar it gave me 99%. at the moment with the bailey that i have i am at 92%, so although there will be a 7%increase plus it will be a twin axle have i any issues to consider.
your comments as always will be appreciated.
mike

[pdrvolvo]

well as you know 85% is the margin most often referred too as a rule of thumb.also none of us knows what weight we are putting in the van we can only summise.on the other hand the twin axle,s are very steady on the road.safe towing can depend on so many factors.road conditions,weather,speed,BHP,and of course how the outfit sits and handles when you pass an HGV for instance or start going up a long incline.you can tell by the feel of a car whether its struggleing or not i.e. does it want to change down all the time.will it happily stay in top gear on the flat.all these factors and more contribute to whether in your opinion it feels stable.i am ofcourse a caravanner myself so i do speak from experience.at the end of the day its down to how it feels and handles as an outfit and only you will know that.the figure of 85% is set as a guide.it is not a rule of law but the mplw of the van is.

regards

peter.

[dodgyken]

Whats the max weight of the T5? and what is it's max tow weight?

They are what makes the total rig legal or not. There are plenty of people out there who appear incapable of loading and towing even when massively under the 85% rule.

[outnumbered]

the kerb weight is 1600kgs and the max tow weight 1600kgs.
mike

[dodgyken]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

the kerb weight is 1600kgs and the max tow weight 1600kgs.
mike

Something to remember when you do your calculations - take into account the weight of the car - including everything/one in it + the nose-weight of the caravan!

[Johnny8718]

I have an twin axle Elddis Crudaser Super Sirocco and pull it with a 2004 petrol XC70. Max towing weight of the car is 1800kg's and the maximum laden weight of the van is 1900kgs.

I know straight away that people wil start to shudder. However, let me explain.

I have fitted a roof box to the car and put as much of the heavy weight, gas bottles etc in or on the car. In comparison to pulling the same van with a Mitsubushi L200, the XC does it with ease.

I have towed to Cornwall twice, Scotland three times all with no issues and plenty of confidence. The outfit is extremely steady and at 200bhp+, does not struggle. The 85% rule is a good bench mark but my advice is this.

Load the car up to keep the van under its max. Stick to no more than 55mph and tow nothing but a twin axle. You will be fine. I witnessed my father jack-knife and turn an 1100kg van over, pulling it with a Focus. It is not always weight that is the issue, it is your driving style and more importantly, speed.

[dodgyken]

[QUOTE=Johnny8718;565313]and tow nothing but a twin axle. QUOTE]

Best bit of advice IMHO. Twin-axles are lovely - so stable. Only downside is they are a bitch to manouvre by hand

[Johnny8718]

LOL!!!

Funny you should mention that! You must be psychic.

My motor mover packed up on the way back from Cornwall in August. It took 6 of us to get it onto the drive!!!!!!!!

I am sure I remember ranting about how much of a f'#£&*n% bitch it was as we struggled against the wall and the kerb. You are right.

Thankfully we get it back (repaired) on Thursday.

John.

[dodgyken]

I only have a car-transporter - which weighs 600KG - but it is still apain to manouvre - and it just isn't tempted unless the car is off it.

[4wheeldriver]

[QUOTE=Johnny8718;565313]I have an twin axle Elddis Crudaser Super Sirocco and pull it with a 2004 petrol XC70. Max towing weight of the car is 1800kg's and the maximum laden weight of the van is 1900kgs.[QUOTE]

Regardless of the way you load the car and/or caravan, this is still an illegal combination as the MTPLM of the caravan STILL and always WILL exceed the max weight of the car. When I bought the caravan I pull now the dealer refused to sell me it as he knew at the time my S60 was NOT legal to tow the van. If you get stopped it makes little difference to the police or VOSA if the car is heavier than the van as its the plated weights for both that they go by.

Also have you tried weiging your car once it is loaded to ensure that it is not overloaded?? It has a maximum gross weight and also a maximum train weight that should not be exceeded.