Subject: Sorry - Another Weight Q. Author: Chris Date: July 15, 2010 at 22:16
We are thinking of getting a caravan. We need a 5 berth one. We have a Citroen Picasso 2.0HDi Exclusive. Max Train weight as per manufacturer is 1300kg. Unladen weight is 1300kg.
Most caravans we are looking at seem to have a MTPLM of just over this (1305 - 1360kg). The MIRO are around 1100 - 1200kg.
My question is does the law look at the MTPLM or the actual weight of the van loaded at the time. If I was to weigh everything into the van and ensure I did not exceed the 1300kg limit (and car weights of course) would it be legal, or would the police just look at the MTPLM of the van.
Hope someone can clarify this for me.
Thanks
Replies:
Author: Paul Date: July 15, 2010 at 23:11
I assume this is the Xsara Picasso, not the C4 Picasso.
The original Picasso is a particularly lightweight car with a kerbweight of only 1300kgs and a towing limit also of 1300kgs. In my opinion, the two are far too close and if your new to towing I wouldn't recommend this match (pretty much 100%!).
The recommendation is to aim for a van weight of approx 85% of the vehicle kerbweight, therefore approx 1105kgs for the Picasso.
While I appreciate this is very light, the guidelines been suggested to allow safe towing; you need to consider not only the weight your pulling, but the fact you need to stop the thing too and this near 100% match could be potentially unsafe.
Regarding the law, this can depend on the circumstances under which your stopped. VoSA conduct spot checks at services and have means of weighing the caravan. The police don't have this facility and if you're stopped with suspicion of unsafe weight, you'll possibly get escorted to a weighbridge or the rated weights shown on the van and vehicle VIN plate will be used. I do know someone who tows an under-loaded van to keep in weight and he keeps a weighbridge printout to show his vans weight; he has had to present this and the certificate was accepted as evidence of his ensuring a safe match.
