Maximum towing weight help

[Paula_374426020]

Hi
We've been looking at getting a Honda Crv 2.2 Ctdi on a 2006 model which has a lower towing weight. The towing weight is 1500kg and kerb weight is 1631kg, we were wondering if anyone could give us some advice on whether this would tow our Swift Challenger 540 safely which has a MTPLM of 1500kg.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Paula
The general advice is to keep a caravans weight as small as possible in relation to the tow vehicle. But this is only one criteria and whilst important it must be used in conjunction with other good towing principals, such as ensuring the car and caravan are properly maintained. The caravan and car are loaded to achieve the best nose weight and probably the most important thing is carefull driving.
However the combination you are suggesting will be legal, but it does produce a weight ratio of 1500/1631 = 92% Figures this high are not usally recomended for new towers but as you seem to have some experience with the caravan, and the fact that the CRV has a relatively short rear overhang which favours stability, The outfit will probably be fine, but no-one can guarantee a safe match, that is down to how the outfit is driven.

 

[Dustydog]

Hello Paula
The general advice is to keep a caravans weight as small as possible in relation to the tow vehicle. But this is only one criteria and whilst important it must be used in conjunction with other good towing principals, such as ensuring the car and caravan are properly maintained. The caravan and car are loaded to achieve the best nose weight and probably the most important thing is carefull driving.
However the combination you are suggesting will be legal, but it does produce a weight ratio of 1500/1631 = 92% Figures this high are not usally recomended for new towers but as you seem to have some experience with the caravan, and the fact that the CRV has a relatively short rear overhang which favours stability, The outfit will probably be fine, but no-one can guarantee a safe match, that is down to how the outfit is driven.

Goodness me John
I almost thought you were about to say 85%

 

[Parksy]

Goodness me John
I almost thought you were about to say 85%

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Paula_374426020]

Thanks for that certainly gives us something to think about.

Dusty Dog noticed you tow with a Kia Sorrento just wondering what its like as this was another consideration of ours though a mechanic friend of ours has put us of saying that they are not reliable.

 

[Tony_374371542]

Hello Paula,
We have a 2006 CRV Ctdi Ex and tow a 2007 Challenger 540, although our car and caravan weights seem to be slightly different to yours.
The car hanbook says the diesel model weighs between 1622gk and 1673kg, with a towing limit of 1500kg and a towball limit of 100kg. The maximum permissible weight is given as 2140kg.
Our caravan has a plated weight of 1480kg but I understand it is possible to have this uprated to 1500kg.
To get back to your original question, I load the caravan to give me a towball figure of 80kg to 85kg and I find the outfit very stable at around 55 to 60 mph, on the motorway, a lot of the time in 6th gear. I do find that I sometimes need to change down a gear on some of the steeper motorway hills. The same applies on non motorway roads but travelling at lower speeds.
One last point. I took my caravan to a cetificated weighbridge recently and was shocked to find it was almost up to its maximum weight. Before I took it, I removed all the heavy items, awning, cadac, chairs etc and just left the normal everyday items. It made me very aware how easy it is to overlaod a caravan.
Hope this all helps,
Tony

 

[Paula_374426020]

Thanks Tony
This does help although loooking at the list of things you took out of your van it is somewhere near what we quite often have in our van and does show how easy it is to overload a caravan which is why I was concerned at only having a maximum towing of 1500kg.

Paula

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Paula,
Your concern about exceeding1500kg, is more of a problem for the caravan than the car. The caravans MTPLM is only 1500Kg. Due to the way the regulations are written, the Caravans MTPLM is made up of two components, trailers axle load plus the nose load and together they must not exceed the MTPLM.
The cars towing weight limit is the amount it actually tows not what it carries, and the trailers nose load is carried by the car whilst it only tows the trailers axle load.
So if we assume your caravan is laoded to its maximum MTPLM of 1500 and you set it up to give a 75Kg nose load, the car is only towing 1500-75kg = 1425Kg, because the car carries the nose load as part of its own load.
You would be illegal if either the car or the caravans load limits are ecxeded.

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks for that certainly gives us something to think about.

Dusty Dog noticed you tow with a Kia Sorrento just wondering what its like as this was another consideration of ours though a mechanic friend of ours has put us of saying that they are not reliable.

Hi Paula
See the Kia Sorento Owners site below.
http://kiasorento.proboards.com/index.cgi?
I've just spent 3 weeks at the CC site at Chapel Lane. Easily 50% of the tugs were Sories.
I've had mine from new and she's now on 100k. Only problem I've had was the exhaust recirculation valve and intercooler pipes that bunged up. My fault for using supermarket fuel all the time and an add on power box.
My neighbour also has one. What sort of problems does your "friendly mechanic" experience?
Very odd because for years now the JD Power Survey consistantly puts the Sorie at the top for reliability. Indeed the Awards issue of PC Mag sings its praises too.

 

[Paula_374426020]

Thanks Dustydog
It was actually the transmission box and yes we have noticed that there are lots around towing caravans which is making us think that its a car which we should be looking at. Could I possibly ask you what sort of running costs we would be looking at if we were to go for the Kia, tyres, etc as it is a big consideration we need to look at.
Nice to see yours is going well on 100k as all the ones we have looked at have high mileage.
Paula

 

[Paula_374426020]

Thanks Dustydog
It was actually the transmission box and yes we have noticed that there are lots around towing caravans which is making us think that its a car which we should be looking at. Could I possibly ask you what sort of running costs we would be looking at if we were to go for the Kia, tyres, etc as it is a big consideration we need to look at.
Nice to see yours is going well on 100k as all the ones we have looked at have high mileage.
Paula

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Dont forget......my model (2006) has a towing limit set at 1500kg
The newer deisel model has a towing limit of 2000kg.
Adrian

 

[Paula_374426020]

Yes thats why I was asking we actually tow with a new shape CRV at the moment but is due to be returned to the lease company next year which is a shame as it tows fine.

Paula

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello agian Paula

I've just spotted this posting

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/towcars/honda-crv-how-does-it-tow#new

which I am sure you will find interesting

Dusty
Dont tempt me

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks Dustydog
It was actually the transmission box and yes we have noticed that there are lots around towing caravans which is making us think that its a car which we should be looking at. Could I possibly ask you what sort of running costs we would be looking at if we were to go for the Kia, tyres, etc as it is a big consideration we need to look at.
Nice to see yours is going well on 100k as all the ones we have looked at have high mileage.
Paula

Hi Paula
As far as I know personally and from others with Sories transmission failures are rare both on manual and autoboxes. See the Sorento site I mentioned previously and again you wil see the "problem" is so rare it's not a "problem".
My tyres have all lasted 40k a piece. The first set were OME Hankooks. Since then I've been using B F Goodrich All Terrains. The last set were £100 each but today they are more likely £130 ish. Again these have lasted 40k on both back and front.
Servicing is not too bad. I do my own as teh car is long out of warranty. The biggest expense is the engine oil. However my son gets me General Motors own fully synthetic for £9.00 per 5 litres!
Parts are cheap although the fuel filter was £32.00 whilst the oil filter was £4.50. I replaced the front discs and pads at 90k.
Average solo 30-32mpg, towing on motorway 26-28mpg @ 56mph.