confused about weights and towcar ability and limits

[Deborah_5096472]

I'm looking to buy our first touring van. We have a Mondeo 1.8TD as a towcar. Could someone please explain what kerb weight, nose weight, laden and unladen means and the recomendations as far as weight and types of vans would be suitable for our Mondoe. we are looking for a 4/5 berth caravan

many thanks

 

[jacky3]

1.8 TD yr2000 kerbweight1335kgs 85%1134kgs

most 1.8 td mondeos are - Towing weight (kg) 1,500

Kerb weight (kg) 1,310

you can tow up to 100% of the kerbweight which is 1310 kgs,can legally tow manufacturers towing limit of 1500kgs(not recommended)for a 1.8 td engine as it will give the engine a lot to do.85%(recommendation only)will be about 1130 kgs(caravans of this weight will be extremely hard to find for a family van) as for 4-5 berth caravan,you will be struggling with a lot of vans out there but there are some.car change is almost a must

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Deborah,

Mondeo TD and Caravan:

You need a 4/5 berth because you need room for a family of four? or you just fancy some extra space for the two of you? More berths mean more weight.

If you can't cut down on the number of berths - then looking at an older van is a good way of reducing weight. In the past, UK vans were equipped with less stuff than today.

New UK vans have had loads of "conveniences" added to them - probably just to give the sales person something to talk about and differentiate their "product" from a similar looking caravan from somebody else - rather than be used by the owner on a daily basis.

You will need to ask yourself some serious questions about what facilities are really necessary in the caravan, especially if you plan to be staying at sites with good facilities. Do you need an oven? do you really need a heated shower bathroom? do you need carpets?

We tow a German 3-berth caravan of 800 kg (minimum weight) - typically 950 kg with all our stuff inside. So it can be done.

Beyond this there are legal requirements to towing, and there are also recommendations:

Legal - The following are legal limits that you cannot exceed.

Nose-weight is how much load the caravan "dumps" on the back of your car - and the legal maximum is the LOWEST value that your car, tow-bar or caravan can accept or apply.

Gross train weight is the total weight of your car, caravan, you and your family, clothing, and any other stuff you put in the car or caravan. You must never exceed the posted GTW (usually documented on a label on the drivers' door post).

Maximum towing weight is a limit imposed by the car manufacturer - if your caravan is near the legal towing weight - you can move weight into the car. But in any case you must not exceed the GTW, and if you are a novice you don't want to try towing close to either the GTW or caravan limits.

Recommendations:

Organisations like the caravan club have been helpful to newbies by suggesting towing limit recommendations - the 85% guideline is a good example.

If your caravan weighs less than the 85% guideline, then you shouldn't experience any unhappy towing problems on your first trip.

Robert

 

[DavidW1]

Deborah,

Go to www.caravanclub.co.uk and click on new to caravaning. It's a free down load and will answer all your questions and many more besides.

Agree with previous posts though - a 1.8 Mondeo restricts the size of van and you will find it difficult to find a modern 4/5 berth that complies with the 85% rule.

Personally I tow at about 65% which makes for a really relaxing drive and if you went for somthing like an Eriba you could achieve this with your Mondeo.

5 people in an Eriba would be a fun experience too!

 

[rob_jax]

Hi David,

The two person Eriba Puck is one from the range - there are other (larger) 3/4/5/6 berth models with fixed beds / bunk beds whatever.

Mind you, it's a different "model" of caravaning - the Eriba is one of those few makes that follows a more minimalist style of caravaning (does anyone use an oven in France when it's 40

 

[Deborah_5096472]

Mmm...thanks the info. We are a family of 4 so do need the extra bunks. and in all honesty i do like an oven, we don't eat out and use the oven and BBQ quite a lot in my parents van. so as long as i can find a van with a laden weight of 1135kg or less i should be fine then? Can anyone recommend any models/makes around early 90's that could be suitable.

 

[BeatBeat]

Deborah

If you have a look at the back of any Practical Caravan magazine you will find weight details of a range of vans. THat might give you a starting point.

Trisha

 

[Moonstone1]

Hi, we used to tow with a 1.6 Mondeo at first, then progressed to 2.0 both petrol. We towed a lightweight van though, and Avondale Perle Orion. It was 1992 4 berth model, but the oven was very old fashioned. I would seriously consider changing car if your can afford it, but if not - do look at older Avondales as they were quite lighteight, and I understand that Lunar currently make quite light vans.

 

[joeby]

Look in July issue of P C mag page 156 ,look at the Bailey Ranger models . Ranger 470/4 MIRO 967/ MPTLM 1179 or Ranger 500/5 MIRO 1044,/MPTLM 1271 ,its not compulsory to load it to the max ,the heavy gear you can put in your car or on roof rack

 

[Gary_5039903]

The 1.8TD Mondeo is about 90bhp which is "typical" of a mid to late 1990's family car. True, they are no Hot-Rod, but they have enough torque to pull a family caravan. Ford gave them a maximum towing weight of 1500kgs, so they are capable of moving heavy loads, but they won't do it particularly quickly! Caravan sites in the 1990's were full of Mondeo TD's and you still see them towing caravans today. My parents used one for years towing an 1100kg caravan with no problem. You DO NOT need to change your car! Just ensure its well serviced.

You will be fine towing a caravan with a MTPLM (max. weight) of around 1150kgs, of which there are lots to chose from. True, newer caravans are getting heavier, but so are newer cars. Try looking at anything made up to the mid-1990's. Elddis and Bailey both made decent 4 berths that fall into your needs, but they are popular, so finding one is more difficult!

If you are after something fairly cheap, look on Ebay, BUT take a damp meter to check before you hand over any cash.

 

[Deborah_5096472]

thanks for the replies, we are looking at an ABI Jubilee Envoy this afternoon. Its a 4/5 berth with a laden weight of 1100kg so seems ideal. I have checked it on the TOWsafe website and the match is ideal so wish me luck. Has anyone any veiws of this model by the way