85% rule - advice please

[Steve L]

John has some quite good points worthy of note here.

First and foremost find out what your actual tow limit is and what your gross train weight is and stick to it. The ministry do allow +3% for accidental error but don't be so irrisponsible to think you can flout the regulations.

As I pointed out I know that my particular van has a higher max weight than the car can tow and as it is only a few kilo's I load the van lightly to achieve the max gross train weight.

As for 20'000 miles of lucky driving I think that is no way of qualifying poor practice. Just remember that if you exceed the gross train weight or any other weight for your car and caravan and have an accident you'll be lucky if your insurance company want's to know you at all. As you'll of invalidated your insurance cover.

Safety is the watch word to having a good holiday.

Steve L.

 

[Meister]

Also ........... if you (or anyone) is caught and prosecuted for being overweight the fines are large.

In my experience over many years (not as an offender) magistrates tend to take a very dim view of this due mainly to road safety implications.

Steve

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

if in doubt weigh it loadup the van as you would for a fornights trip fill the tank and take the outfit to a public weigh bridge

weigh the van and check it against the mtplm

and then weigh the complete outfit and check against the gross train weight.

providing both are under the limits it is a legal outfit and as long as you dont exeed the max weights dont worry

mine is within 25kg of both and tows perfectly

colin