
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: 85% Towing Rule

Post Reply

josel

27/6/2007 at 8:47am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/6/2007

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 27

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi all,

I am very new to caravans and never had one before. I have a Renault Grand Espace 2.2 diesel Kerb weight 1702KG. The caravan ABI AWARD NIGHSTAR 1998, MTPLM 1450KG.

The caravan dealer stating my car will easily tow this caravan and it reaches 85.19% KERB/MTPLM.

My questions are -

What is the 85% rule?

What is kerb weight?

What is MTPLM?

And finally how do i work out how much weight i can load the caravan to?

Thankyou for your time and patience. josel

katharita

27/6/2007 at 9:53am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2006

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 110

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Found this sound info put in by Dirtydisco

For cars......

Kerbweight = Unladen weight of tow car

Max Tow weight = Max weight the car can move from a standing start up a set incline.

Max gross train weight (GTW) = maximum combined weight of car and trailer

Kerbweight and Max tow weight are NOT generally the same figure (well they could be by a coincidence) and are not the same concept

For trailers/caravans

MTPLM = maximum weight of trailer & contents

MIRO = Mass in running order, weight of trailer with a basic loadout (gas, battery etc)

ULM = unladen mass, weight of trailer empty.

If you passed your test after 1/1/97 the MTPLM of your trailer must not exceed the kerbweight of your tow car, and the MTGW must not exceed 3500kg (this rules out many large car/mpv/4x4 & caravan combinations

Also check "what towcar.com"

michael

27/6/2007 at 10:02am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

here too.......

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html

the difference between the MIRO AND MTPLM is your loading weight you can use,ie.awning water , barrels,ect

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

simonm65

27/6/2007 at 10:04am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/8/2006

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 118

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi, the 85% rule is what is generally accepted to be a safe towing combination, ideally your caravan fully loaded should weigh no more than 85% of the car. You can tow upto 100% legally but this is not advised unless you are experienced.

The kerb weight is the weight of your vehicle with all essential equipment i.e. fuel, spare tyre etc. It doesn't include the weight for passengers. Your handbook will tell you the maximum train weight, be careful as this can sometimes decrease the towing weight when you include the passengers and luggage in the vehicle. The maximum train weight is the weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the caravan, you need to ensure you don't exceed this.

Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass - the total weight your caravan can take. The caravan will have a plate somewhere stating the MIRO (Mass in Running Order), this is generally around 250KG less than the MTPLM, so basically you can load your caravan with 250KG of equipment this includes the battery as most manufacturers don't include this in the MIRO, check in the hand book or the plate on the caravan to get the exact figures.

Hope this helps.

josel

27/6/2007 at 12:42pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/6/2007

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 27

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Thankyou all.

dirtydisco

27/6/2007 at 3:23pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: dirty discovery & scruffy sprite

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/1/2007

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 713

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Quote: Originally posted by simonm65 on 27/6/2007
Hi, the 85% rule is what is generally accepted to be a safe towing combination, ideally your caravan fully loaded should weigh no more than 85% of the car. You can tow upto 100% legally but this is not advised unless you are experienced.

You can tow over 100% of kerbweight if you passed your driving test before 1/1/97 or if you take an additional +E test

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.

6074 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

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 - 2026