Confusion with weight ratio

[JaneB1]

Just bought a Lunar Sunbeam 4 berth caravan. Unladen weight is 749kg which means that we're less than the 85% rule of thumb when related to the towing weight of the PT Cruiser. We've picked up a guide and this says that the 'guideline of towing a caravan weighing no more than 85% of the empty or kerb weight of the car'. Just checked and found that the kerb weight of the PT Cruiser is 1400kg.

Working this out, 85% of the kerb weight is 1190 kg.

The max. laden weight of the caravan is quoted as being 1035kg. The maximum towing weight of the PT Cruiser is quoted as being 1000kg.

Can anyone advise which I should be working to:-

85% of max towing weight i.e. 850kg

max towing weight i.e. 1000kg

85% of kerb weight i.e. 1190kg

Thanks,

Jane

 

[rayc]

Jane, The problem you have is that regardless of anything else, kerb weight etc, the car has a maximum tow limit of 1000kg. You should aim to have the laden weight of the van no more than 950kg or so as the total weight is the axle weight plus the nose weight. This of course means you have only got 200kg to play with for gas bottles, clothes , battey, pots and pans etc but you could do it if you are selective and carry some items in the car ( without exceeding the cars max laden weight or the cars maximum train weight limits which you havn't given).

There is no problem with keeping to the 85% advisory limit because with a kerbweight of 1400kg and max tow weight of 1000kg you will be ok.

 

[Lutz]

Ray's response is perhaps a little misleading. If the maximum permissible laden weight (MTPLM) of the caravan is 1035kg as you state, you will be OK to tow it behind the PT Cruiser with a max. towload of 1000kg. The 1035kg includes the noseweight, so if you subtract that, you will be below the 1000kg limit for the car. The 1000kg towload limit is the AXLE load of the caravan, NOT its total weight.

 

[Lutz]

Ray's response is perhaps a little misleading. If the maximum permissible laden weight (MTPLM) of the caravan is 1035kg as you state, you will be OK to tow it behind the PT Cruiser with a max. towload of 1000kg. The 1035kg includes the noseweight, so if you subtract that, you will be below the 1000kg limit for the car. The 1000kg towload limit is the AXLE load of the caravan, NOT its total weight.

ps: The 85% figure is based on the kerbweight, i.e. 85% of 1400kg in your case. The resultant 1190kg is higher than the 1000kg that you are allowed to tow. It is therefore the latter lower value that counts as your practical and legal limit.