looking for advice. Just bought a brand new caravan and thought car was up to the job of towing it....but maybe not. The van is a brand new Bailey Ranger 620/6 MTPLM 1540 kgs MiRO 1281 kgs. The sales pitch is that it is a lightweight tourer and it should tow no problems with a 4 x 4. However the 4 x 4 is a Honda CRV 55 plate with a kerb weight of 1661kgs. In the manual it states the max towing weight with brakes is 1500 kgs. Where do we go from here? Can I tow if I dont load it up to the MTPLM. What is the legal position if I ensure van is kept below MTPLM?
Hi mate, we have the very same dilemma with our Lunar Quasar 615, with plated mtplm 1600Kgs, which was part of the options pack would you believe, the standard van has a 1500kg mtplm, we too tow with a diesel CR-V, so you see the problem.
Technically, I cannot tow this 1600Kg van with the CR-V's max towing weight of 1500Kg, however, had I not opted for the options pack I would have been fine with the lesser 1500Kg mtplm.
Solution for us, in lieu of any evidenced advice that this is illegal, but I'm sure it will come if it exists, is to load the van as a 1500Kg. Our previous van had a mtplm of 1340kg and we haven't bought anymore kit since so I'm working on the assumption that we are well under the 1500Kg anyway.
Unless you weigh the van when fully loaded how do you ever know what weight you are towing, apart from doing the sensible sanity check of best guessing the weight of individual items and adding it up.
Fortunately the kerb weight is higher. That gives a better weight ratio between car and van. But loading should be up to 1500 kg max. However do check the real weight of the van, as they often are heavier than specified (specifications often state a variance of 4%) Only than you know your real loading capacity. In principle 200kgs should do, but it depends very much on your style of camping. We travel light, but if you have a heavy awning and heavy chairs etc. you easily reach the 200 kgs and more. Fortunately in many countries the nose weight is not calculated by the enforcement authorities which gives some extra capacity, but formally (and for safety!) the van has to stay within the 1500 kgs boundary. You do have to be very careful though in how to load load to get optimum road behaviour of your car-van combination.
The above mentioned site give very useful information, but only practice will show. Get used to more gear changing for better performance. Nothing wrong with higher revolutions uphill or against the wind direction.
the towcar site is really good. Putting in the relevant details it shows that I will be towing at 90%(keeping equipment in van to minimum..100kgs) and states this is fine. Even though the kerbweights given on the site are a fair bit lower than those stated by Honda in the manual( 1542kgs as opposed to 1661 kgs)
hi the kerb weight in the handbook 1661 kgs will be the correct one.the 85% rule is only a guide line set by the caravan clubs.many experienced caravanners tow up to 100% of kerb weight,as you say correct loading is a must.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Unless you weigh the van when fully loaded how do you ever know what weight you are towing, apart from doing the sensible sanity check of best guessing the weight of individual items and adding it up.
Look forward to the responses on this one.
Mick
Mick
We opted to buy a Reich Caravan Weight Control. Its a small digital device that you place under each wheel of the van (and/or car) and pull/drive over it slowly. It weighs the vehicle separately at each wheel, and jockey wheel and adds them together for you.
It's not cheap - at £120, but no more guesswork! We also know from this whether the weight is even from side to side and whether we've got the noseweight right.
We were pleasantly surprised that our loaded van is not as heavy as we feared and well within its MTPLM.
Suggest you get in tuch with your dealer. Swift, for example will re rate any caravan up to its maximum mtplm, rathr than the plated weight, which seems to be a compromise somewhere between the chassis maximum capability and marketing requirements. Should therefore be possible for them to re rate the mtplm down to your required 1500kg. Should be about £55 for new plates and documents etc.
I am surprised this wasn't discussed with the dealer when you ordered your van especially as you are new to the game.
When we bought our, new to us van, the dealer wrote on the bottom of the terms and conditions that our then tow car was 95%. My o.h. is used to towing so this wasn't a problem but they said they wouldn't have wanted to sell us the van if he had been a novice they would have reccommended a lighter van.
Dont worry too much - get a roof box and put anything heavy in that - we have our awning in ours. The nose weight is often overlooked and makes a more steady tow - get a weight guage - dead handy and get it near to the vehicles nose weight max. makes it less bouncy... enjoy and dont worry.. Ill get shot dead here but if you have more folk in the car then you have a heavier vehicle anyway... please dont reply with the it doesnt matter...
Legally speaking, and using Yorkshire legal parlance "Tha's b**ggered!!)
However, (there's always a however) I note that you have a Lunar.
When we bought a new Lunar in November 2005 I towed it all the way from Humberside to Cornwall and THEN noticed that the plate said something totally at odds with what it should. From memory the MIRO was out by about 100kgs and the MTPLM was out by 65kgs. This was important because at the time I had a Citroen C5 Estate with a kerb weight UNDER that of the displayed MTPLM on the van.
Lunar will allow you to increase the Max weight of the Lexon by 100kgs if YOU want.
In my circs I did not want. I contacted the selling dealer and a new plate was ordered and obtained from Preston.
Your circumstances although somewhat different are very similar. It matters not a jot what it says on the plate if the figures are LESS than the design loads built into the chassis by the manufacters.
I have in my possession a few caravan mags from France. The continental manufactures give far less of a payload on their small and midsize vans to allow many more vehicles to tow them. The same model van when imported into this country suddenly gets a higher payload.
Your solution would be to contact the dealer where you purchased the caravan. Explain to them the position and ask them to get a new plate that shows the MTPLM at less than the kerb weight of your towing vehicle.
Providing that you do not exceed this weight then you have committed no offence.
Keep the original plate and on disposing of the van, (or getting a heavier car) replace the plate.
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Topic: Help for new Caravanners!
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