Parksy has suggested that the debate about the Industry weight limits in the "New Tow Car Advice" thread be continued as a new thread.
Hello Camel
Let me assure you; I have always suggested that loading a car and caravan should be taken seriously and I take exception to your suggestion that I haven’t.
I have always advised it is better to aim for a trailer to be loaded as light as possible, but of course with an appropriate nose load.
I don’t believe the way the present advice is calculated provides the best universal approach, because it uses imprecise information, and because it fails to recognise the true capabilities of each model of tow vehicle.
In the absence of better methods I may refer some people to the 85% /100% suggestion, but I also usually point out some of the other factors that also need to be in place to minimise the risks of towing.
I am not aware of any verifiable evidence that confirms these figures are the optimum range for good towing. As others have suggested they should be used as a starting point, not an end in themselves.
But also if the advice were revised, with a proper scientific approach It would not surprise me if the lower figure were not reduced below 85% for novices
EDIT NOTE 22nd Feb 202
If you are looking for clarification about the present caravan industry advice for caravanners about tow matching I suggest you follow this link.
ww.practicalcaravan.com/advice/50460-towing-101-part-6-how-to-deal-with-a-snaking-caravan
If you continue in this thread you will find a range of diverging views, which will show how some of us have concerns about the the industry advice, and how we are trying to clarify its efficacy or otherwise. PJL
It seems strange that in continental Europe no other country has need of the UK's industry advice. There must be in experienced caravanners there too, so how do they start on this journey of discovery without the advice that is so dogishly followed in the UK?
Any continental caravanners wish to tell us how they manage?
Prof,
If the 85% advisary loading ratio is there for all to see and according to you it is nothing to take seriously when it comes to matching a caravan outfit ( for the last three years I've been well over 95%) , what advice would you give to someone who is new to caravanning, would you say go for the 85% matching or would you say load up the front locker box with two gas bottles, wheel clamp and hitch lock and a jack then load your awning kids bikes all you personal effects in side the caravan and then jog off down to Cornwall, of course you would not you would refer them to the 85% matching,
Hello Camel
Let me assure you; I have always suggested that loading a car and caravan should be taken seriously and I take exception to your suggestion that I haven’t.
I have always advised it is better to aim for a trailer to be loaded as light as possible, but of course with an appropriate nose load.
I don’t believe the way the present advice is calculated provides the best universal approach, because it uses imprecise information, and because it fails to recognise the true capabilities of each model of tow vehicle.
In the absence of better methods I may refer some people to the 85% /100% suggestion, but I also usually point out some of the other factors that also need to be in place to minimise the risks of towing.
I am not aware of any verifiable evidence that confirms these figures are the optimum range for good towing. As others have suggested they should be used as a starting point, not an end in themselves.
But also if the advice were revised, with a proper scientific approach It would not surprise me if the lower figure were not reduced below 85% for novices
EDIT NOTE 22nd Feb 202
If you are looking for clarification about the present caravan industry advice for caravanners about tow matching I suggest you follow this link.
ww.practicalcaravan.com/advice/50460-towing-101-part-6-how-to-deal-with-a-snaking-caravan
If you continue in this thread you will find a range of diverging views, which will show how some of us have concerns about the the industry advice, and how we are trying to clarify its efficacy or otherwise. PJL
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