Kerbweights

[Harry4]

All these postings about kerbweights, payloads etc, seem to be missing a safety point. The towcar should be heavy enough to stop the caravan during an emergency stop, possibly going down a steep hill.If the car is not heavy enough, you may find yourself in a very difficult situation. With regard to locking nuts on car wheels. Are these a safety feature or an anti-theft device? Happy Carvaning, Harry.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Harry, You make a good point, but whenever you add a trailer, the outfit will take more time and distance to stop, so its more down to driving sensibly and antisipating difficulties. Incidentally it is permisable to tow a trailer up to 750KG MPTLM that does not reqire brakes, so you are relying soley on the tow vehicles braking handling the extra load, at least with most caravans, they do have thier own brakes which and may stop in less distance than an unbraked trailer. Locking wheel nuts are an anti theft device, and should not be considerd a safety device.

 

[Lutz]

Like John L says, the ability to stop has relatively little to do with the weight of the towcar. It's more a factor of how good the brakes and tyres on the car and caravan are.