Caravanozzy said:
Hi,
I'm brand new to caravaning, in fact so new I havent even got a caravan yet.
I'm so confused and bewildered. I just can't work out if I can tow a caravan with my car.
My car is a Peugeot 207sw 1.6vti auto.
The max tow weight is 1150
Tow ball weight 46
Kerb weight 1328
Gross train weight 2678
Can anyone please help? If I can tow, what can I tow? Ideally I'd like a 4 berth, not sure if this is a possibility?
Thank you in advance.
hi and welcome to the forum,
as with all these questions from newbies, sometimes the answers are not very helpful. because the content and detail of the question is lacking some vital information, this is understandable because being new to the hobby one does not know how to structure the question, to get the information one is looking for.
one thing one has to do is some research before hand, as there is a good possibility that one can answer ones own question before it is asked,
having said that let me give you some pointers. you have stated the model of your car but not the year this could be important as not all new generation cars can tow, and if they can some models have restrictions imposed on them due to some technical or design features. [reference] read the thread about BMW 320ed in technical.
the important information is on the vehicle VIN plate, this has 4 lines of numbers 1. the vehicle max gross weight 2. the maximum train weight 3. the maximum front axle weight 4. the maximum rear axle weight.
to find the max tow weight deduct figure in 1. from the figure in 2. if there is no figure in 2. and is blank the car cannot tow a trailer,
if there is a figure in both 1 and 2 these are the ones to use. you appear not to have done this yet as you are quoting kerb weight this has nothing at all to do with the legalities of towing,
and it also appears you are using the wrong values, because, a max trailer weight of 1150 kg plus the kerb weight would mean the max gross weight was unknown this cannot be right.
without doing the sums from the VIN plate it is impossible to be sure that the quoted figure of 1150kg is correct.
do the sums and get back with the figures, there is no wonder you are bewildered.
once you have a figure then you can look at the tow bar specifications for that particular model as all tow bars have to be type approved included in the specifications for the tow bar will be the maximum tow ball weight as recommended by the car manufacturer. it may well be only 46kg [my Meriva is only 50kg] but a look at the tow bar will confirm it!!. this is the figure you must use. if it is lower than the draw bar weight of the trailer.
once you have done the sums and got the figures you will then have achieved 2 things one have a accurate weight for the mtplm. [maximum total permitted load mass] of the van you are allowed to tow with the car and two basically answered your own question.
the only thing left to do then is find a van that is within the weights to have to play with.
but that is a whole new question altogether.
hope this helps.
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