Quote: Originally posted by Decto on 29/6/2018
The trailer can exceed the max tow weight as long as the combination does not exceed the gross train weight. Car GTW will be for 4-5 people plus luggage so if the car is not fully loaded by at least 60 kg it complies. Better to have the extra weight over the towed axle in this case rather than a heavy boot full which has a similar effect on the car as excess nose weight.
That doesn't sound right to me. Surely if a vehicle is designed to tow not more than 1300kg, the gross train weight is irrelevant. I would have thought that the gross train weight would be the maximum towing limit plus the weight of the car? Is that not so? I am not a legal expert in such matters, but it seems like common sense to me. Why even quote a maximum towing limit if a vehicle can tow more? Most vehicles can tow more, often much more with care, than their towing limit, but is it legal? Would it not invalidate the insurance?
Back in the 1970s I used to tow all sorts of things with my Mk2 Cortina, but I'm not sure it would be legal today. I had no idea what the maximum towing limit for my car was, and still don't, but I have towed a large flatbed trailer (which when empty weighed as much as the car) with a Landrover on it. The trailer plus Landrover was probably nearly 3 times the weight of the Cortina, but it towed it fine. I doubt whether that would be legal today, but things were different then.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 29/6/2018
That doesn't sound right to me.
Hi,
It is a tricky topic which is why I raised in on here, since there are many views.
Section 7.3 covers it.
7.3 GCW - Gross Combination Weight This is specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle and it means the maximum permitted weight of the combination (ie total of the towing vehicle and the trailer, including the loads on both). Also known as Gross Train Weight (GTW). To help find the maximum weight of trailer that can be towed, you could subtract the GVW of the towing vehicle from the GCW. (in this example a 2000kg trailer would be permitted). However if the towing vehicle is not fully laden, any spare weight capacity can be used by the trailer, so long as the GCW and trailer GVW are not exceeded.
The maximum tow weight is the maximum weight a fully loaded vehicle can tow while repeatedly starting off on a specified incline, usually 15%.
If you consider that Gross Train Weight (GTW/GCW) - Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) = Max tow weight and this is really just the measure of ability to repeatedly set off, the GTW is the important factor as that's the maximum weight the power train can support from a standing start without damage.
This means as long as you don't overload the trailer, you can use the excess vehicle load, with the caveat you still need a safe weight ratio between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
In this case the OP said the match is 87% which is reasonable.
The legal issue is that car/caravan axle weights must not exceed those stated in vehicle & caravan specs & caravan axle weight as loaded must not exceed car max tow weight. No need for downplating just do not fully load caravan so it’s axle weight does not exceed car max tow weight.
This is quite apart from a safe to drive car/caravan outfit. Personally I would not want to be towing much over a tonne with an Astra.
This sort of question only arises when anybody wants to tow what most would consider a badly matched outfit even if the weights are just about legal.
Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 28/6/2018
Hi Birdman.
HGV can be downgraded!
Trailers can be downgraded!
So why not a caravan?
Not sure of the answer without further investigation, but my money would be on it can.
But maybe not to the required weight thats needed in this caseice:]
This same question was asked by an owner on Swift Talk forum a few weeks ago and Swifts answer was NO
There is no Dvla registration & no Mot for caravans. So all that is required is that the caravan & towcar weights are legal for C&U regs. As stated there is no need to downplate a caravan.
The maximum a caravan or trailer can be plated for is it’s max axle weight. This will be stamped on the axle somewhere. Anybody can change a caravan weight plate up to the max axle weight. For a newer caravan then main dealer must be involved to maintain warranty. For an older caravan anybody can change the plate. Blank plates are available & you need a set of metal stamps for numbers.
The max permissible load on the plate plus the maximum plated permissible weight of the car must be adhered to at no higher than 3500 kg if driver only has a B licence,regardless if it is actually loaded below this weight.
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Topic: Down Grade to Weight Plate
