Hello, I have just purchased my first caravan. A swift Accord. The caravan's MTPLM is 1090kg and 85% of my cars kerbside weight is 1049.75kg. Does this mean I shouldn't entertain towing the caravan with my vehicle, as its below the MTPLM. Is there a way around it. Thanks in advance. (My Car is a Skoda Fabia 1.9TDI 03 Plate)
If the caravan is heavier than the towing vehicle then if you get into difficulty (especially having no towing experience) it's a scenario of the tail wagging the dog basically. It's not just about safety either because your vehicle insurance would be declared as invalid if you were either stopped by the Police or had to make a claim.
Hello. There are a few things to check before you tow, with the information provided you definitely need to check as I suspect you may not be able to tow as your limit may be 1,000kg
Have a look on your v5 for the kerb weight and also the max towing braked weight is.
Hi Thanks for taking the time to reply that makes perfect sense and given its just me and my three year old daughter I don't want to compromise any safety, as well as insurance invalid. My next question is what car would be a match. I have limited funds and my preference is Skoda. My licence permits me to drive a trailer combination of 8,250kg.
If the kerb weight is as you say I make I make the kerb weight 1235kg.
That is an 88% match which isn't too bad. 85% is only a guide line to ensure the stability of the outfit is OK. There are many other factors to consider on this such as:
A long caravan is less stable than a short one .
Loading needs to get the weight over the axle not at the ends.
Speed makes it worse
Going down hill makes it worse
You also need to check the cars nose weight limit as it may be a bit low on a small car. You can adjust it by loading stuff back or front although some vans especially with a front chest of drawers etc can be difficult to get it low enough.
Hello thanks for taking time to reply. I have my V5 in front of me and I can't see any 'kerbweight' all I can see is mass in service? which is 1262. Does this have any bearing?
Hi I obtained the 1235 kerbweight off the web for my car and year etc. What does nose weight mean, how do I find this out please? Also what is Loading needs to get the weight over the axle not at the ends' - My caravan is a two birth and visually short in appearance? and so not long.
Mass in service will do, that includes 90% tank of fuel and 75kg for driver. In my Skoda handbook it states the kerbweight does include this, yet no reference in the tech spec, only 'unloaded weight ready for work' 1,495kg, this weight is on the V5C as mass in service.
HI and thanks. Is the mass in service the same as maximum towing brake weight? should i be working out 85% of the mass in service? how is the mass in service important? or is this is the same as kerbweight? Sorry if exacting :)
Don't get hung up on the 85%, it's a recommended guide on a match ratio and while well worth being aware of, the above quoted match of 88% would not be a problem.
Despite all other weight references though, you DO need to know the towing limit of the current Skoda. Unfortunately the V5 document isn't great at including all weights (mine doesn't quote any) and if you can't find the relevant info on your V5 or vehicle handbook, get the information off the vehicle VIN plate and note the first two weights detailed on the plate.
The first weight is the Fabia's MAM (Max Authorised Mass) which is the maximum loaded weight the car can be when occupied, weight of luggage etc.
The second weight stated is the Maximum Train Weight approved for the vehicle; this is the maximum combined weight of the car plus any trailer. Deduct the MAM from the Train weight to identify braked trailer weight limit.
Don't trust online weight guides, especially the whattowcar and towcar.info websites, both of which are ran from Holland and use euro spec data for their calculations (which can and often are different to UK spec vehicles).
Finally, you refer to nose weight. This is the maximum downward weight allowed on your towing bracket. The bracket should have a small label somewhere quoting an 'S' number, this being the maximum nose weight allowed for the vehicle. The general rule is to aim for a nose weight of approx 5-7% of the MTPLM of the caravan, but NO greater than the towbars limit.
HI and thanks for this comprehensive info. Its all alien to me but I am so keen to learn in order to get things right. If not online how can I obtain the correct information on my vehicle, give the V5 does not provide it either and be sure its the correct information. Also I don't have a tow bar in situ at present and so is there another way for me to find its nose weight? Would there be a towing bracket on my car? if so where is it located. Sorry if ridiculous questions. If I get the VIN number tomorrow would you be able to assist in reading the info I need from it please? As all isn't entirely clear to me. Thank you
Nose weight limit should be in the car hand book. That I set by the car manufacturer to prevent the suspension getting hammered. On some small cars it can be quite low.
Correct nose weight for the outfit helps with stability and as said should be between 5% and 7% of the caravan weight but it must still not exceed the cars limit. You can find out what it is for your van by putting a broom handle or something under the van hitch and standing it on a bathroom scale. Many say the van should be level but I feel it should be at the angle it will be on when hitched which is usually slightly nose down.
The 85% match of kerb weight or mass in service is to make sure the car is heavier than the caravan by a reasonable amount. This ensures the outfit is stable and should not be unduly troubled by snaking.
Loading weight over the axle in the caravan is another way of reducing snaking. Weight at the ends increases snaking.
Snaking is when the van starts wagging from side to side and if not prevented can get worse and eventually end up with the whole lot jack knifing etc.
If it happens ease the speed gradually by lifting off the accelerator. Another school of thought is to accelerate. Best way is to make sure it doesn't snake in the first place by having a well matched outfit, keeping heavy weight over the axle, going slow down hills.
The Max Tow Weight (braked) is the maximum weight the car can legally tow and is set by the manufacturers to ensure it can pull away on a 1 in 10 or 1 in 8 hill (not sure which) without damaging the car, burning out the clutch etc.
Have a look on parkers Website http://www.parkers.co.uk/skoda/fabia/specs/
Don't know what model you have but I imagine it will be there. Ok so may only be approx weights and specs but they're good enough as long your figures are close.
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Topic: Towing Capacity
