We had an early 1.6 C4 Grand Picasso with EGS, I was told the weight limit is due to the EGS box and 1.6 engine.If the car is fuly loaded I think the limit is lowered accordingly. From memory, the 2.0 version has a 1500 kg limit.
The 550/4 is far too heavy for your car, there has been a discussion about the weights in the "Bailey Pursuit Questions" thread on the caravan forum.
The low towing limit is due to the small engine and heavy car. Try and find the maximum gross train weight (gtw), this is maximum weight the car has been tested as being able to move on the road. If this is low and your car is heavy it leaves little room for towing capacity. These are all legal weights that if exceeded would breaking the law.
My car is the opposite of yours, a tow limit of 2000kg but a recommended caravan weight (85% of kerbweight) figure of 1450kg, so whilst I could tow a monster of a caravan legally on my licence, it would very unsafe as it would be a very bad outfit match.
The CCC has a good doc on this in their help and advice section.
Gross train weight is the thing to check. Very often they will quote a high max tow weight but qualify it by saying it must be within the gross train weight.
Gross train weight is the combined weight of the car and caravan with both loaded. So with a lightly loaded car you can tow a heavier weight and vice versa.
The 85% figure is the recommended car to caravan weight ratio.
Vehicles maximum tow capacity is what the manufactures have set/tested for your car and is whatever log book says it is (1180kg in your case) and shouldn't be exceeded.
You'll probably have to swap for something more suitable.
Post last edited on 17/02/2016 10:55:38
------------- I went to the top of the mountain...and looked over the other side!
Quote: Originally posted by Nutkins on 17/2/2016
The 85% figure is the recommended car to caravan weight ratio.
Vehicles maximum tow capacity is what the manufactures have set/tested for your car and is whatever log book says it is (1180kg in your case) and shouldn't be exceeded.
You'll probably have to swap for something more suitable.
I had a C4 GP, with EGS, but got rid when I got the van due to the low towing limit (Towed the Pennine fine). I spoke to the tech guys at the CCC and they said its often a low limit because it is a big body on a small car (The C4) so the limit is based on / the same as the C4. Did tow the van home with the C4 but car and van were empty. Now got a Seat Alhambra and that tows lovely. No problems.
------------- Alan
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Topic: Car Towing Limit
