Kerb Weight - E.C. or U.K.

[Robtel]

Whilst having a search for some info I noticed in the "Towing Law" section of Practical Caravan website that kerbweight is defined as including 68kg for driver and 7kg for luggage.

I thought that was only recognised on the continent and that U.K. guidelines was vehicle, spare wheel tools, all fluids but no driver.

Is the continental version now the accepted guide and if so does it carry any great significance to calculating weight ratio of caravan to tow car.

 

[RogerL]

Both definitions are used in UK legislation, for different purposes.

The present Towing Code uses the UK Construction & Use definition but the new version is likely to use the EC definition.

Given that a vehicle cannot move at the UK C&U weight (it has no driver) it does make sense to adopt the EC definition universally.

 

[Lutz]

Just a couple of further comments to add to Roger's reply:

The EU Directive does not define kerbweight, but MIRO. MIRO or Mass in Running Order, is the the official term used for all vehicle type approval purposes. The problem exists because very often reference is made to kerbweight when MIRO is what is actually meant. As Roger pointed out, UK law concerning vehicle and driver licensing, still refers to kerbweight whereas for all technical purposes, MIRO has replaced kerbweight. It is high time this anomaly is put right.

Published data, whether kerbweight or MIRO, is only a guideline anyway so, either way, it has little bearing on the accuracy of weight ratio. Weight ratio can only be determined accurately by weighing the actual vehicle, and there it's up to you whether you want to weigh your car with driver or not.