Confusion, Aaarghhh.

[machighlander]

Hi, can someone please help me by giving a barney style answer to my queerie ?.

when i joined the site i posted re the towcar and caravan i have (07 vectra sri 1.8i mptlm 1500kg, and an abbey aventura mptlm 1360kg. i got a lot of kind answers from some folks and most directed me to "towsafe" site. i have looked on there and cannot see my model of car listed, i have however, now had the opportunity to have a weekend away for the first time. this gave me the chance to at least have a feel for how the car would cope. well, it seemed to me (a novice) to cope admirably, albeit we travelled on A roads mostly. i found on inclines that i was dropping a gear as soon as i saw the revs faltering so as to keep the engine in its sweet spot and not labour.

as mentioned, i am a newbie at this game so my assessment probably wouldnt be accurate, therefore, can someone please tell me in laymans terms if my outfit is compatiable.

cheers in advance.

 

[machighlander]

oops, the car is the petrol version.

 

[Sproket]

Yer a weee bit Tooooooooo heavy @ 91%ish

Are you sure of the cars weight ?

Sproket.

 

[machighlander]

aye Sprocket, says so on the V5.

without getting into all the tech talk re the recommended weights etc, i will be towing with almost an empty caravan apart from the factory fixings, would that not mean that it is being towed under the max weight ? therefore making it a bit easier on the towcar ?.

i have read about the 85% guideline and can understand the recommendations, however, if i am at around 90ish, then surely with the caravan not being loaded will keep it well within the parameters of this.

cheers.

 

[Lutz]

So long as you are within legal limits, the rest is up to personal preference. The weight ratio tells you nothing about how well your car tows performancewise, so it's up to you to decide whether it's adequate for the job and whether you feel comfortable with the outfit.

 

[Dexter1]

The vehicle maximum towing weight will be in the handbook and that is the legal maximum weight that you can tow, period.

The 85% rule is optional and it should be considered that this was introduced many years ago when cars had less powerful engines, poorer brakes, less effective suspension etc. Im an experienced tower and would go 100% every time, no problem as long as correct loading and servicing are observed.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The vehicle maximum towing weight will be in the handbook and that is the legal maximum weight that you can tow, period.

The 85% rule is optional and it should be considered that this was introduced many years ago when cars had less powerful engines, poorer brakes, less effective suspension etc. Im an experienced tower and would go 100% every time, no problem as long as correct loading and servicing are observed.

Gordon, please don't call 85% a rule, It is not a rule it is only a guideline, with no substantiated credence.

 

[Dexter1]

Gordon, please don't call 85% a rule, It is not a rule it is only a guideline, with no substantiated credence.

I agree fully JohnL, just a commonly used phrase. Purely a guideline for inexperienced and/or low confidence caravanners.