Taldersley, I seem to remember we had a similar discussion last year.
If you want to tow a caravan with an MTPLM of 1500kg you need a car with a kerbweight around 1750kg. Our Galaxy had a kerbweight of 1750kg and a gross vehicle weight of 2505kg so in order to keep under the 3500kg limit of your B licence the caravan would have to have an MTPLM of 995. I think it unlikely that you will find a car with a kerbweight of 1750 kg with a gross laden weight of 2000kg to allow you to use a caravan of 1500kg safely and in accordance with your licence.
Our Focus 1.6 diesel had a gross weight of 1900kg and a max tow of 1200kg which would be well within your licence limits and would still give you a large choice of caravans.
Remember it is the plated weights that are used to calculate the towing limits applied to your licence.
Quote: Originally posted by taldersley on 29/1/2018
I am looking at Mondeo's, what have you got, an estate or saloon?
I imagine I would be looking at a 1.8-2.2, and probably a diesel.
Some of the older mondeos have injector problems, the older superb you will get between 35 and 40 towing, and between 48 and 70 solo, the Octavia 35 towing and also 50 to 70 solo depending on what running
I think you need to do alot more research on what is legal and how the 3500kg is reached.
For example I have a Honda crv 2.2 cdti which is capable of towing 2000 kg, however the max laden wieght for my vehicle is just over 2200kg, which means I can only tow a trailer/ caravan with a laden wieght of less than 1300kg.
It's not a simple as just adding the two kerb weights together.
If I was you I would decide what size can I would like, how many people? Fixed/ non fixed bed etc.
Then find some models that suit your needs and examine the wieght of these before finding A car to tow it legally and safely.
I think you may struggle to do it on a B license, a follow camper may be a better option, unless you want a smallish two berth or fairly old 4 berth van, most vans are going to exceed an mptlm of 1200kg - 1400kg which is probably what you will have left looking at most sensible tow cars.
I don't think the petrol Caren's will have the grunt to make it a comfortable towing experience, and will leave you with around 1400 kg for the van depending on which exact Kia model you are looking at..
I am indeed doing my research and this forum is wonderful for it. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.
As it happens, I am looking for a late 90's, early 00's four berth. Which will indeed be light weight.
The car could be a mondeo or carens diesel, looking at a couple this weekend.
Which hopefully means I will be able to comply with the restrictions of my B licence. Although I do curse that I failed my test before the new legislation came in in 1997!
So, which that in mind, how does one work out the 3500kg? I am starting with the car, then I know what weight van I can go for.
Quote: Originally posted by taldersley on 30/1/2018
Hi, phathamster,
I am indeed doing my research and this forum is wonderful for it. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.
As it happens, I am looking for a late 90's, early 00's four berth. Which will indeed be light weight.
The car could be a mondeo or carens diesel, looking at a couple this weekend.
Which hopefully means I will be able to comply with the restrictions of my B licence. Although I do curse that I failed my test before the new legislation came in in 1997!
So, which that in mind, how does one work out the 3500kg? I am starting with the car, then I know what weight van I can go for.
You need to find the maximum mptlm of the van. And then add it to the max laden wieght of the car.
It's all very well suggesting a van from around these two decades but in reality it's much trickier to find a match.
I think the Mondeos have a fairly high max laden wieght which means you will struggle to find a van.
It's a tricky and IMO silly rule but it is a legal requirement.
Not to mention it is advisable to stick to the van being 85% of kerb weight for safety.
Have you thought of possibly taking the towing test? Would open up your options considerably
Do you have the specific model of car and caravan?
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Topic: £4K Tow Car
