Manufacturers Towing Limit

[Stingray1]

We own a twin axel caravan with a laden weight of 1700kg. At present we are looking to change our car from a 4x4 to something more economical due to the ever increasing rise in fuel prices.

We are thinking of a VW Passat Estate 2.0TDi 4Motion or Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi. Although both cars only have a kerb weight of 1600Kgs they have a maximum towing weight of 2000kgs.

Does this make it legal to tow our twin axel and as the cars mentioned are slightly lighter than the laden weight of the caravan will this make it a dangerous tow?

 

[RogerL]

Manufacturers towing limits include all types of trailers, most of which are more stable than caravans.

Towing a caravan more than the kerbweight may be legal in some circumstances but NEVER recommended.

 

[Lutz]

By the time you've got the car laden with passengers and luggage, it'll weigh more than the caravan, but nevertheless it's not a particularly good idea to tow under such unfavourable circumstances.

 

[ghostrider]

hi stingray,

i own a 2003 bailey wyoming twin axle mtplm 1657 the miro is 1359. i own a bmw 320d touring the kerbweight is 1600 i weighed the van on a weighbridge last week with all my gear in and it came to 1500kg, the car was 1600 without driver(the book says 1600 with driver) but i have also bought a roofbox to put more weight in the car and improve the aerodynamics but then i have to put 2 kids and a wife in as well so i worked out my ratios and was well safe, i believe you should work on actual laden weights .plus the fact i drive 44ton petrol tankers for a living helps. im also getting 30-34 mpg hope that helps mate, cheers