Subject: i think this law is very confusing Author: dave Date: December 28, 2009 at 21:40
the law on towing weights are very confusing this law stinks it not enough information available .it always gets every one thinking .the caravan centres tell you can tow 100% other say 85 % if this law is so important in these weights why are they not putting this information on the tv you never heard of any of this crap years ago .i seen people tow with a mini and a small van i think this law is a load of gobbledygook fill your van up and tow and go .the police can't catch criminals not alone catch the odd over weight caravan .if you tow a van with respect to the road its on and not like a mad mad like some people do its should be ok you know the saying you drive like and idiot you will get pulled with out a caravan .most of these rules may have come from the caravan club or some stupid person in an office with nothing better .the most important is don't tow a caravan that is heavier than the car .my car is 1375kg full of fuel it 1900kg so the car is heavier with fuel in it now you can tow a bigger caravan with more weight
Replies:
Author: Bert Date: December 28, 2009 at 23:24
What is your question Dave, or for that matter your problem?
In my humble opinion the law isn't confusing. What the car is allowed to tow is supplied by the car manufacturer. Common sense is not to tow a heavier weight than the car's weight and a sensible recommendation is 85% up to 100% of the car's kerb weight. Period.
Author: dave Date: December 29, 2009 at 01:43
but what a happens when you fill the car with fuel the curb weight will more .?
Author: Bert Date: December 29, 2009 at 02:15
So, define kerb weight. This is a EU standard nowadays. Empty + 100 kg for fluids like oil, water, driver and luggage. Theoretical? Yes, but good for comparison.
Author: Richard Date: December 29, 2009 at 17:22
Are you going to fill up every 20 miles? If not it won\\\'t always be full of fuel. Common sense says have a reserve for safety.
Author: Paul Date: December 30, 2009 at 21:13
There's no real confusion at all surely.
The vehicle manufacturers impose a maximum towing limit, however it's a recommendation to aim for towing a van of 85% kerbweight (kerbweight is also specified by the manufacturer). If you're confident, you might be able to tow upto a maximum of 100% kerbweight, but never exceed this. Easy.
Oh yes, VoSA have been conducting inspections in colaboration with the police; they do and have been prosecuting for unsafe caravan matching. As for varying kerbweights to suit your preference, VoSA use manufacturers data, not a 'theoretical weight'.
Author: Ivan Date: January 20, 2010 at 11:10
I'm with Dave on this.
Laws should be simple and clearly stated, otherwise they are open to misinterpretation.
It should be easy for a car manufacturer to say 'You can tow up to but not exceeding nnnnKg with this vehicle. To be honest it should not be too hard to provide an indication on the caravan of when it is close to/overloaded by detecting the spring deflection when static. Then you know that you will be within the max weight of NNNKg - end of story !
Oh of course this would add cost, but for my money I would rather pay for this feature than a 'loo full' sensor - after all I can see that for myself.
Cheers, Ivan
Author: Pete Lewis Date: January 30, 2010 at 21:16
vehicle weight is the vehicle without any loading in or on it.
Also check plates stickers on your car pillars my toyota auris has maximum weight load for towing all together as shown 3399kg combined over that is against the law
