We need some help, we are first time caravaners. We have a 1990 Lunar Jupiter we have just renovated and would like to take her out. We own a 2002 Vauxhall Astra without a tow bar. Before we pay out to get one fitted does anyone know if it will be suitable to tow as there are no useful documents for the caravan and the only relevant info on the car is that the mass in service is 1670.
Any advice or referals would be greatly appreciated!
The mass in service is not often listed on the car. The mass in service should be on the V5. The weight plate on the car will give the max weight for the car and the gross train weight, subtract the car weight from the gross train weight and that will give you the max trailer weight the car can tow.
There should be a weight plate on the caravan showing the max weight (MTPLM). You should be aiming for the caravan weight to be around 85% of the mass in service of the car.
You haven't mentioned the details of the car so we can't guess the figures for you, there is a difference between petrol and diesel, manual and auto, hatchback and estate models. Some of these may have a tow weight lower than 85% of the mass in service, in which case the lower figure must not be exceeded.
Come back with some more details and we'll be able to give you some better advice.
What cc is the car? I think there should be weight information in the logbook and also a plate stating weights on the car. If you find this out you'll be halfway there.
If you know a caravanner with a suitable car maybe they can get the caravan to a weighstation for you. You could also contact Lunar as they might have some archived data on the van.
Another website lists (but does not guarantee and recommends checking) the Mass in Running Order of your 'van as 800kg, and a maximum allowable weight of 953kg, and suggests (for an 85% match) a towcar with a kerbweight of 1121.2kg or more.
So, as suggested in the above posts, check the car's weight plate and V5 and consider having the van towed to a weighbridge?
We had an Astra 2.0L diesel on 52 plate. Think it's max tow capacity was 1250KG. Parker's website is pretty good for vehicle info, I'm sure yours will be on there.
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Topic: HELP - First Time Caravaners
