car kerbweight or tow weight?

[Barry_374308002]

Hi,

Being beginner,& after reading my first magazine,I am a bit confused about what weight caravan my car can pull.

On page 141 the mag advises to work out 85% of your cars kerb weight.

However on page 125, when working out the weight of what a Kia Cee'd can pull, it works out 85% of the Max Tow weight!

Which is right?

Cheers

Barry

 

[Lutz]

The Kia website states that the kerbweight of the lightest version (1.4 petrol with manual transmission) is 1263kg and the heaviest (1.6 diesel automatic) is 1468kg. You can work out the 85% of whichever one you are referring to.

The same website quotes 1200kg as the maximum towload for the petrol and 1400kg as the limit for the diesel.

Hope that helps.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Barry,

In continuation of the informative post by Lutz, you need to be aware that the maximum tow weight is a legal maximum and you can't exceed that value.

Whereas the 85% guideline is from years of accumulated experience as to what should make for a stable tow - you can still mess this up by poor loading though.

In your case, the 85% guideline is less than the maximum tow weight - as you may expect. It's only a few unusual cases (like the Chrysler PT Cruiser) that have a very low maximum tow weight that is way below the 85% guideline - and has tricked some people into an ill-advised purchase.

Robert

 

[Barry_374308002]

Hi Barry,

In continuation of the informative post by Lutz, you need to be aware that the maximum tow weight is a legal maximum and you can't exceed that value.

Whereas the 85% guideline is from years of accumulated experience as to what should make for a stable tow - you can still mess this up by poor loading though.

In your case, the 85% guideline is less than the maximum tow weight - as you may expect. It's only a few unusual cases (like the Chrysler PT Cruiser) that have a very low maximum tow weight that is way below the 85% guideline - and has tricked some people into an ill-advised purchase.

Robert

Hi Again,

Sorry I've been awhile replying but I've had the builders in & I've not been able to get to my computer.

Right then, back to the subject of towcars.

I'm not sure if I understand yet.

Let me ask another question,reguarding my actual car.

I have a Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI.It has a kerb weight of 1540kg & a towing braked max of 1400kg.

Which figure do I work the 85% rule out on?

85% 0f 1540 is 1309 & 85% of 1400 is 1190%

I would like it to be the 1st figure but Ive a feeling it is the second, which seriously limits the choice of vans!

Thanks for your help so far.

Barry

 

[Barry_374308002]

Hi Again,

Sorry I've been awhile replying but I've had the builders in & I've not been able to get to my computer.

Right then, back to the subject of towcars.

I'm not sure if I understand yet.

Let me ask another question,reguarding my actual car.

I have a Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI.It has a kerb weight of 1540kg & a towing braked max of 1400kg.

Which figure do I work the 85% rule out on?

85% 0f 1540 is 1309 & 85% of 1400 is 1190%

I would like it to be the 1st figure but Ive a feeling it is the second, which seriously limits the choice of vans!

Thanks for your help so far.

Barry

 

[Lutz]

If you are going to work by the 85% recommendation, then that would be based on the kerbweight, not the specified maximum permissible towload. So long as that calculated 85% figure is less than the manufacturer's maximum permissible towload then that's all right. Otherwise the latter applies.

 

[Barry_374308002]

Hi Lutz,

Thanks again for replying.

Does that mean i can get a van up to

 

[Barry_374308002]

Hi Lutz,

Thanks for replying again.

Does that mean I can get a van up to 1309kg then?

Thats great.

Cheers

Barry

 

[Lutz]

Yes