Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[malandjo]

I am new to caravanning and am uncertain as to the exact sfe weights I can tow. I have a 2.2 DTi with a kerb weight of 1614 kgs. All the advice states a max of 85% tow limit which restricts the choice if one wants to buy a fixed bed layout van. Most have a max weight of 1480 - 1500 kgs. Anybody with experience of towing would be appreciated.

[VX1]

Hi,
I am new to caravanning and drive a 3.0ltr elite I wasn't to sure either, but the best thing to do is go and have a look at some vans at a dealer, once you have seen a couple you like go and speak to the salesman and they will put your car details into there computer then the van details in and it will come back stating wether the car and van are compatible. I have a fixed bed in my van and the difference in wieght for extras is approx 215kgs. If your car is 1614 kgs and the van is, lets say, 1500 kgs then you deduct the two and thats what you can load the van upto. I am sure that someone else will be along soon to explain in more detail and accuracey. Like I say I am new to all this as well but my dad gae me some advice.

Paul  

[Andy B]

I am new to caravanning and am uncertain as to the exact sfe weights I can tow. I have a 2.2 DTi with a kerb weight of 1614 kgs. All the advice states a max of 85% tow limit which restricts the choice if one wants to buy a fixed bed layout van. Most have a max weight of 1480 - 1500 kgs. Anybody with experience of towing would be appreciated.

The 85% rule is only a guide line. You can tow weight for weight if you want. Assuming you passed your test before 97 or have an E entitlement on your licience.

[Dave-C]

I've towed 1:1 with my 3.0l auto..  the Omega is a great towcar though whilst being quite an experienced tower, I would reccomend the 85% rule for a beginer..  that's about 1350 kg...  balance the towable home caravan well, i.e. heavy items low and over the axle, a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...   correct tyre pressures are very crucial...  reduce the pressures when not towing and reinflate for the return journey...   stick to 56 mph..  safety and economy, that'll also keep the auto box in a towing vehicle nice n' cool...

Happy Towing

DC

[Andy B]

...
 a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...  

I can't get my nose weight down to that. I had about 90 with just the gas bottles & spare in the front locker.

....  stick to 56 mph..   ....

Why? You're allowed 60 on motorways & dual carriage ways, 50 in a national speed limit.

[Dave-C]

...
 a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...  

I can't get my nose weight down to that. I had about 90 with just the gas bottles & spare in the front locker.

....  stick to 56 mph..   ....

Why? You're allowed 60 on motorways & dual carriage ways, 50 in a national speed limit.

As you say it's 60 motorways and 50 in nat speed limit areas..  it's just an economy thing....  

Have you seen the price of fuel lately?  

[VX1]

...
 a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...  

I can't get my nose weight down to that. I had about 90 with just the gas bottles & spare in the front locker.

....  stick to 56 mph..   ....

Why? You're allowed 60 on motorways & dual carriage ways, 50 in a national speed limit.

As you say it's 60 motorways and 50 in nat speed limit areas..  it's just an economy thing....  

Have you seen the price of fuel lately?  

I must agree with Dave C on this one. I stuck to 50-55 mph on the way down to pevensy bay and only used half a tank there and the same back home, if I had done 60 mph I think I would have used more fuel. The price of petrol these days is very expensive at 115.9 pence per litre so saving fuel is the best idea when towing a caravan IMOA.

paul  

[Andy B]

...
 a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...  

I can't get my nose weight down to that. I had about 90 with just the gas bottles & spare in the front locker.

....  stick to 56 mph..   ....

Why? You're allowed 60 on motorways & dual carriage ways, 50 in a national speed limit.

As you say it's 60 motorways and 50 in nat speed limit areas..  it's just an economy thing....  

Have you seen the price of fuel lately?  

I must agree with Dave C on this one. I stuck to 50-55 mph on the way down to pevensy bay and only used half a tank there and the same back home, if I had done 60 mph I think I would have used more fuel. The price of petrol these days is very expensive at 115.9 pence per litre so saving fuel is the best idea when towing a caravan IMOA.

paul  

I can see your point.
60 though does help to prevent being bullied boxed in by HGV's though.

[Martin_1962]

I have a 900kg caravan and can load about 300kg in it (Bailey Discovery 400), it tows very easy and I can maintain road limits as opposed to towing limits all too easily.

[Dave-C]

...
 a nose weight of 75kg and not much lighter if at all...  

I can't get my nose weight down to that. I had about 90 with just the gas bottles & spare in the front locker.

....  stick to 56 mph..   ....

Why? You're allowed 60 on motorways & dual carriage ways, 50 in a national speed limit.

As you say it's 60 motorways and 50 in nat speed limit areas..  it's just an economy thing....  

Have you seen the price of fuel lately?  

I must agree with Dave C on this one. I stuck to 50-55 mph on the way down to pevensy bay and only used half a tank there and the same back home, if I had done 60 mph I think I would have used more fuel. The price of petrol these days is very expensive at 115.9 pence per litre so saving fuel is the best idea when towing a caravan IMOA.

paul  

I can see your point.
60 though does help to prevent being bullied boxed in by HGV's though.