Help with weights please!!

[lishka]

I have recently bought a 2009 transit swb 300 110 and on the weight plates it shows:
Gross vehicle weight 3000
Gross train weight 3500
Maximum front axle 1600
Maximum rear axle 1760
I understand the gross train weight is the total caravan & vehicle maximum weight?
My Lunar quasar FB is 1310 micro and 1600 max
Does anybody know if this is a good match? I read it as 3500 - 1600 = 1900
I understand this is a light model but without taking it to a weighbridge I can't confirm it, its certainly not 1900 though so to my calculations it should be ok?
However apparently the van has a max towing capacity??

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Lishka

The manufacturer determines what the the maximum towing weight can be, I do not have the information for the van you have purchased and you would need to refer to the owners handbook or to the manufacture to confirm what it is.

 

[lishka]

Hi, I checked the handbook first and it just says refer to the plate on the door pillar, all that says is the information I've already listed.
Maybe this van does'nt have a max tow weight and I should just deduct the weight of the van from 3500 and that is the figure I can tow?

 

[hortimech]

From the info you have provided, I think that not only is it a bad match it would be illegal.
Towing weight is: Gross train weight(3500) - Gross vehicle weight(3000) = 500kgs
Not very much is it?
But as always, contact your nearest Ford commercial dealer to confirm wether what I am saying is the truth or if I am just being an idiot.

 

[lishka]

I really do hope these figures are wrong!!
I've emailed ford so will confirm when I get a reply, this van will end up on ebay soon if your figures are correct

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Please also be aware that caravans are not designed to be towed by commercial vehicles as their suspension is too harsh and will cause damage to the 'van. If towed by such then any warranty will be null and void.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Lishka

I can only reaffirm what I wrote above, the Manufacture specifies the maximum permitted towed weight you must contact them to find out what it is.

Hortimech's calculation will give you a towed weight that is definitely legal, but because the Transit is a commercial van design, it is likely the manufacture specifies a higher towed weight value. You would have to ensure that the load carried in the van when towing was reduced to ensure the Train Weight measured is within 3500Kg.

Woodland's point is also correct, Vibration transmitted through the hitch form a commercial chassis to the caravan can be quite severe. However you may be able to get a shock reduction hitch such as a shock link model.

 

[lishka]

I took the empty van to 2 weigh bridges today and it weighed the same at both, 1880kgs
I also recived an email from ford today and they have said 3500 max for van and caravan however the caravan / trailer can't weigh more than 1500 which is ok if it's empty (1310 micro 1600 max), however with 1310 + 1880 = 3190 it does'nt leave much for people, clothes, fuel, steel framed 1075 awning, dog's and equipment! It seems I now have the space I was looking for but I cant use it!!
It really is a difficult one because 95% of the time the 2.9 sedona runs round town solo and the 2.2 transit seems so much better on fuel however the sedona just loves towing.
I think the fact that all the equipment we carry will make our mind up, I really can't see what I can leave behind!

 

[lishka]

Duplicate Post

 

[Sproket]

You want one of these, much better than a tranny

& the dogs have the back of the truck

.........
GVW 2900kg GTW 5400 our van is 1600MTPLM
When we have everything inc the kitchen sink with us we weigh in at about 4250kg with 250kg spare as the GVW + MTPLM = 4500kg

well within the GTW by 900kg.......

 

[otherclive]

How do you keep the dogs cool in the back when touring in high temps? Is the airconditioning pumped through?

 

[Sproket]

There is a front sliding window between the cab & the rear body & the side windows at the rear lock open about an inch, the roof inside is insulated & with the black windows we never have a problem with it getting warm in there due to the air flow, If we had to do a lot of travelling through the day I have two 5" 12v fans that help circulate the air & have a inside/outside thermometer that can be seen from the back window of the cab to monitor the air temp, & if it was extremely hot I would put them in the back of the cab there would be no problems about that.........
I have one of these in the back of the cab for that very purpose & found the larger size on the USA e-bay site, so had one shipped over five years ago.......

 

[Martin24]

Please also be aware that caravans are not designed to be towed by commercial vehicles as their suspension is too harsh and will cause damage to the 'van. If towed by such then any warranty will be null and void.

yet when I told a senior member of staff at Coachman what I was getting he was very positive, lets face it my suspension is fairly on the stiff side.

 

[Sproket]

I know I know mine is a comercial too, but I use one of these

Bought from a caravaner who had downsized there rig.... E-Bay

 

[Lutz]

Before fitting one, it would be advisable to check with the vehicle manufacturer whether it is approved for the application in question, because it does increase the horizontal offset between the towbar attachments and the towball and hence also the forces acting on the chassis. This may not be quite as critical with a true commercial vehicle with a substantial chassis frame which is not integrated in the body sheet metal, but it's better to be sure, just in case. It would be more of an issue in the case of a monocoque construction without a separate chassis frame.