Hi folks,
I've looked at numerous posts covering towing outfits but as a very nearly caravan owner I could really use some specific advice (and I promise not to sue anybody).
We've just paid a deposit on a 2005 van and, despite assurances from the dealer (large and highly respected) that our car is up to the job I'm starting to have some doubts. It's not helped by he fact that we are first time caravaners, I'm as green as the hills, and I've never towed anything in my life.
Initially we looked at a five birth van with bench seats at the front and a bed to make up in the rear. This weighed in at about 1070Kg unladen and all looked pretty good with respect to towing it behind my 2007 2.0 litre 140bhp turbo diesel Mondeo. Principally we'll be using he van for two or three, plus a dog, with an occasional four. However, we then had second thoughts and decided that a broadly similar sized van with a permanently made up bed in the rear and L-shaped seating arrangement would be a better proposition.
Problem is, that it's a little heavier......
Before we agreed to purchase, the kindly old gent who made the deal called up the van and my car on his state of he art 'Towsafe' software and dumped out a sheet to suggest that all was well. Subsequently, following further reading on my part, I've studied the form in more detail, and I'm not 100% convinced.
Now for some numbers:
Mondeo
Kerb 1559kg
Nose 75kg
Max tow 1800kg
Gross 2170kg
Train 3970kg
Van (single axle)
MRO 1193kg
MTPLM 1397kg
Payload 204kg
Est Nose 97kg
Knowing what I know now, I feel that fudging the program to give a tick against a kerb/MTPLM ratio of 89% (and corresponding match notes of "Experienced: Calculated at a match braked percentage of 100% of the vehicles kerb weight) may have been a little bit naughty, knowing that I've never towed. It actually calculates out at 89.6%, somewhat above the 85% guideline. However, I've got a lot of diving experience, a decent stabiliser and, from what I've read on various sites, I will probably be OK. After all I can always (try to) reduce the payload to 132kg to get the ratio to 85% (am I being naive?)
With respect to max train weights and max tow weights the Mondeos published figures are with driver only, but allowing for the full van MTPLM and 300kg of extra people and ballast in the car I'm still within the max limit, so I'm reasonably happy on his front.
What's concerning me more is the difference between the nose weights. If I take the figure generated by the software it's a 22kg discrepancy. If I assume a reduced payload, an 85% ratio and a 7% nose weight figure, it's 17kg. Can I reasonably expect to balance this out by shifting weight from being uniformly distributed (although ideally front loaded) to being back end loaded? I know that 17 - 22kg isn't much in real terms but I have no experience to suggest what this is likely to do to stability.
Am I worrying unnecessarily, or should I be asking for my deposit back and looking at a lighter van?
Advice gratefully received.
I've looked at numerous posts covering towing outfits but as a very nearly caravan owner I could really use some specific advice (and I promise not to sue anybody).
We've just paid a deposit on a 2005 van and, despite assurances from the dealer (large and highly respected) that our car is up to the job I'm starting to have some doubts. It's not helped by he fact that we are first time caravaners, I'm as green as the hills, and I've never towed anything in my life.
Initially we looked at a five birth van with bench seats at the front and a bed to make up in the rear. This weighed in at about 1070Kg unladen and all looked pretty good with respect to towing it behind my 2007 2.0 litre 140bhp turbo diesel Mondeo. Principally we'll be using he van for two or three, plus a dog, with an occasional four. However, we then had second thoughts and decided that a broadly similar sized van with a permanently made up bed in the rear and L-shaped seating arrangement would be a better proposition.
Problem is, that it's a little heavier......
Before we agreed to purchase, the kindly old gent who made the deal called up the van and my car on his state of he art 'Towsafe' software and dumped out a sheet to suggest that all was well. Subsequently, following further reading on my part, I've studied the form in more detail, and I'm not 100% convinced.
Now for some numbers:
Mondeo
Kerb 1559kg
Nose 75kg
Max tow 1800kg
Gross 2170kg
Train 3970kg
Van (single axle)
MRO 1193kg
MTPLM 1397kg
Payload 204kg
Est Nose 97kg
Knowing what I know now, I feel that fudging the program to give a tick against a kerb/MTPLM ratio of 89% (and corresponding match notes of "Experienced: Calculated at a match braked percentage of 100% of the vehicles kerb weight) may have been a little bit naughty, knowing that I've never towed. It actually calculates out at 89.6%, somewhat above the 85% guideline. However, I've got a lot of diving experience, a decent stabiliser and, from what I've read on various sites, I will probably be OK. After all I can always (try to) reduce the payload to 132kg to get the ratio to 85% (am I being naive?)
With respect to max train weights and max tow weights the Mondeos published figures are with driver only, but allowing for the full van MTPLM and 300kg of extra people and ballast in the car I'm still within the max limit, so I'm reasonably happy on his front.
What's concerning me more is the difference between the nose weights. If I take the figure generated by the software it's a 22kg discrepancy. If I assume a reduced payload, an 85% ratio and a 7% nose weight figure, it's 17kg. Can I reasonably expect to balance this out by shifting weight from being uniformly distributed (although ideally front loaded) to being back end loaded? I know that 17 - 22kg isn't much in real terms but I have no experience to suggest what this is likely to do to stability.
Am I worrying unnecessarily, or should I be asking for my deposit back and looking at a lighter van?
Advice gratefully received.
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