I'm thinking of getting a lightweight caravan for the first time, but my Nissan Qashqai only has a maximum permissible towing trainer limit (braked) of 1000kgs. So I was looking a Luna Arriva which has a MTPLM of 950kgs so it seems OK but obviously the margin is small. Any advice please?
Advice on towing capacity
- Thread starter RogerandKathryn
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I guess you have checked the handbook or the plate usually on the doorjamb, but 1000kg seems rather low - is it worth checking on a website like this for further advice:
Nissan-Qashqai Tow Car Information (gocaravanning.com)
Nissan-Qashqai Tow Car Information (gocaravanning.com)
Its a 1.2 petrol automatic, on the plate on the drivers side of the door its gives 4 weights, 1880 kgs (which I think is the unladen or kerbweight) , 2880kgs and then each axle weight of 980kgs. The maximum towing weight of 1000kgs is stated in the vehicles logbook. I was surprised by this as well since its looks like a reasonable large car?
Apart from weight (which is legally very important) consider power (hp) this is also very important engine size -1,2 ,1.6 etc is not so important,modern engines seem to get more power squeezed out of them.
Horsepower is not as important as the torque the engine produces.
But it looks like the figures Roger and Kathryn are quoting are correct and the match is fine.
Edit, just a rethink. 1880 seems to be the max car weight. With 2880 the train weight, so we need to know what the keb weight of the car is. But it still seems to be ok.
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Unfortunately you cannot judge the towing capacity from what a car looks like, the maximum towed weight limit is derived from specific tests carried out by the manufacturer as part of the cars type approval process. In your case the definitive value is set by the cars data plate where 2880kg (Gross Train Weight or GTW) minus 1880 (Gross Vehicle weight or GVW) gives a towed weight margin of 2880-1880 = 1000kg.
However based on these figures the 1000kg towed weight is a nice low percentage of the cars GVW which is a nice low 52% or better towing ratio.
Whenever you add weight to a car either as load or as a trailer, it will dull the cars potential acceleration and top speed capabilities.
Both the power and torque are indeed important, but both those factors are factors the car manufacturer has to consider when determining the cars towed weight limit, so it's reasonable to assume both power and torque are adequate. for its rated load.
Both the power and torque are indeed important, but both those factors are factors the car manufacturer has to consider when determining the cars towed weight limit, so it's reasonable to assume both power and torque are adequate. for its rated load.
Torque is a force applied at a radius. The force is provided by the power of the engine, which then produces the radial force.
You have beaten me with that Equation. I sit confused. I must need another PinT.
It's a standard equation, HP =2 times pi (3.142) times speed(rpm)times torque(lbs/ft) over 33000.
One of the purposes of this forum is to help each other and not demonstrate how clever or not we are.
Understanding the capabilities of the 'audience' on a forum is difficult to ascertain so it's best to keep things basic and simple until such times a more detailed explanation may help.
The above may well be a standard equation in some instances but I'm guessing it doesn't add any value to the original question posted.
If you all want to have a detailed engineering discussion of Power Vs Torque start another thread as this one is now locked since it's gone far enough in answering the OP's question.
Understanding the capabilities of the 'audience' on a forum is difficult to ascertain so it's best to keep things basic and simple until such times a more detailed explanation may help.
The above may well be a standard equation in some instances but I'm guessing it doesn't add any value to the original question posted.
If you all want to have a detailed engineering discussion of Power Vs Torque start another thread as this one is now locked since it's gone far enough in answering the OP's question.
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