Is it possible

[Peter_374355840]

Hi I`m getting a replacement caravan because my brand new caravan, I wont name any names, had a terrible leak through the bunk windows.

So the new caravan from a different manufacturer I`m getting is a Sprite Quattro ES which is 1319kg in running order, So my first question is, What is included in running order? Gas bottle etc?

My car a VW Bora has a kirb weight of 1407kg, I`ve been towing caravans for 2 years and never had a problem, touch wood. So would my car be ok and legal to tow, If I did not put anything in the van. Ps the van is a twin axel if that makes a difference

Thanks for any advice

Pete

 

[Peter_374355840]

Sorry should have added, I have the caravan sited, so it will be a one of tow

Thanks

Pete

 

[Lutz]

Every manufacturer has his own interpretation of what is or is not included in mass in running order, although a gas bottle is normally included.

Whether the outfit is legal or not depends on what the car manufacturer has specified as maximum permissible towload and you haven't stated what that is. In the case of the Bora it will be between 1200kg and 1500kg, depending on what engine and/or transmission is fitted.

Also, legality is also affected if you passed you driving test after the 1st January 1997. If that is the case, the maximum weight of the caravan (not the mass in running order that you have quoted) must be no more than the kerbweight of the car. Otherwise, you will need a category B&E licence.

 

[RogerL]

For UK caravans, the MIRO excludes gas bottles, electric cable, battery, water heater contents and toilet contents - it's covered by the "Essential Habitation Allowance".

Continental caravans often include all these items but with 90% of contents where applicable.

 

[Peter_374355840]

Hi Thanks for the replys, My Bora is a 1.9TDI 130ps 2002, Which I think has a kerb weight 1407kgs according to what tow car, I passed my test in 1994.

So with this in mind I guess I`m ok and legal to tow this caravan, I know the percentage should be 87% and this is around 91% if the caravan is not loaded with anything.

Am I`m I right thinking it is possible and legal?

Whats your thoughts on it? I can borrow a car which is well able to tow this caravan, but would prefure to use my own.

Any thought more than welcome

Thanks

Pete

 

[Peter_374355840]

Hi Thanks for the replys, My Bora is a 1.9TDI 130ps 2002, Which I think has a kerb weight 1407kgs according to what tow car, I passed my test in 1994.

So with this in mind I guess I`m ok and legal to tow this caravan, I know the percentage should be 87% and this is around 91% if the caravan is not loaded with anything.

Am I`m I right thinking it is possible and legal?

Whats your thoughts on it? I can borrow a car which is well able to tow this caravan, but would prefure to use my own.

Any thought more than welcome

Thanks

Pete

sorry should have added the bora is a manual, the sport version, if this makes a difference.

Thanks

Pete

 

[Lutz]

You still haven't mentioned what the manufacturer's maximum permissible towload is. You will find it in the owner's handbook or by reading the data off the VIN plate on the car. I am assuming that your 1.9TDI is not a 4Motion variant so the max. towload will probably be 1400kg.

The weight ratio that you have calculated (91%) is a bit meaningless because it cannot be compared with the 87% recommendation that you also mention (actually it's 85%, not 87%). The latter figure is always calculated comparing the maximum laden weight of the caravan, not its mass in running order, with the kerbweight of the car. You will therefore find that the weight ratio will probably be well over 100%. Whether this bothers you in view of the fact that that, as you say, you are only going to tow it empty to relocate the caravan, is up to you. On the other hand, if you weigh your caravan, you would no doubt be surprised how heavy it actually is - probably significantly more than 1319kg.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Peter

1319kg Div by 1407kg X 100 = 93% MATCH.

 

[Lutz]

Stephen, it's not a 93% match because 1319kg is the MIRO of the caravan, not the MTPLM. My guess is that the MTPLM is around 1570kg, making it a 111% match.

 

[Peter_374355840]

But I will be towing it empty, wouldn`t that make it 93% and ok to tow?

What towcar shows (with the user payload removed from the caravan) is -

Volkswagen and Sprite

The towing capability for the Volkswagen Bora - 1.9 TDI pd

with a Sprite Quattro:

Performance on levelled roads

Top speed

Usability 6th gear

Acceleration and take over Performance in mountainous regions

Drive off uphill

Driving on motorway slopes

Driving on steep roads

Volkswagen Bora - 1.9 TDI pd (96 kW/129 bhp)

Date of manufacture: april 2001 - september 2005

94%

1318 kg 1407 kg

The match between car and caravan is plausible in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 94%.

The towing performances of this Volkswagen with your Sprite are perfect (performance index = 98 km/h or 61 mph).

You may expect very lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along adequately, in which case top gear is applicable under favourable circumstances.

On motorway inclines you will be able not only to come along, but be the first at the top. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be more than enough power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.

What car gives the match 4.5 stars out of 5

I know the car is too light to tow the van fully load

This is all confusing, All I`m after is answers, yes or no, or I would or Wouldn`t because

Is my car legal to tow this empty caravan?

Would you recommend me not too?

Thanks

Pete

 

[martin_374373812]

But I will be towing it empty, wouldn`t that make it 93% and ok to tow?

What towcar shows (with the user payload removed from the caravan) is -

Volkswagen and Sprite

The towing capability for the Volkswagen Bora - 1.9 TDI pd

with a Sprite Quattro:

Performance on levelled roads

Top speed

Usability 6th gear

Acceleration and take over Performance in mountainous regions

Drive off uphill

Driving on motorway slopes

Driving on steep roads

Volkswagen Bora - 1.9 TDI pd (96 kW/129 bhp)

Date of manufacture: april 2001 - september 2005

94%

1318 kg 1407 kg

The match between car and caravan is plausible in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 94%.

The towing performances of this Volkswagen with your Sprite are perfect (performance index = 98 km/h or 61 mph).

You may expect very lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along adequately, in which case top gear is applicable under favourable circumstances.

On motorway inclines you will be able not only to come along, but be the first at the top. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be more than enough power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.

What car gives the match 4.5 stars out of 5

I know the car is too light to tow the van fully load

This is all confusing, All I`m after is answers, yes or no, or I would or Wouldn`t because

Is my car legal to tow this empty caravan?

Would you recommend me not too?

Thanks

Pete

Peter

In short,the actual laden weight of the caravan must not exceed the manufacturers stated kerbweight of the car. provided you adhere to this legal requirement you would be legal to tow the empty van. Check the weights of the caravan and the car separatly on a public weighbridge, keep the reciept. Also bear in mind that the weight of the caravan plus the towcar must not exceed the manufacturers stated Trainweight.

Marjill

 

[Lutz]

The information that Martin has given, quote: "actual laden weight of the caravan must not exceed the manufacturers stated kerbweight of the car" is incorrect.

The actual laden weight of the caravan, less the noseweight, must not exceed the towload limit specified by the car manufacturer. The kerbweight of the car doesn't come into it. He is, however, correct in saying that the gross train weight must not be exceeded, either.

 

[swpostie]

Hi Peter,

I wouldn't for a number of reasons:

1. Caravans tow better with a bit of weight in them

2. Even without any weight the caravans is close to your maximum towing weight

3. Assuming the noseweight is 7% of the caravan's weight then it will be over the maximum limit for your towbar (which I think is 75kg)

The caravan's noseweight might, of course, be less than this but that will make it a pretty bouncy, tail-happy, unstable combination!

So, as I said - I wouldn't.

 

[Lutz]

Peter's outfit is perhaps not ideal, but so long as he doesn't exceed the stated limits, it should be OK for just a one-off relocation of the caravan so long as he drives with due care.

By the way, not all caravans tow better with payload in them and the 7% noseweight figure is rather outdated.

He says it's a twin axle so it unlikely that the combination will be particarlarly unstable.

 

[martin_374373812]

The information that Martin has given, quote: "actual laden weight of the caravan must not exceed the manufacturers stated kerbweight of the car" is incorrect.

The actual laden weight of the caravan, less the noseweight, must not exceed the towload limit specified by the car manufacturer. The kerbweight of the car doesn't come into it. He is, however, correct in saying that the gross train weight must not be exceeded, either.

Sorry Lutz is right it is the max tow weight not the kerb weight.

Martin

 

[Peter_374355840]

Hi Thanks for all the replys, I thing to make sure I`ll borrow my sisters car just to make sure everything is fine, I`d hate to write off my new van.

Thanks again to everyone

Pete