MiRO or MTPLM

[Clyde_374362931]

We are considering buying our first caravan this year to use primarily for week-ends only. We have two cars both with a kerbweight of around 1500KG. As we need a 4-berth this seems to limit our options quite considerable when we go for 85% of the above kerb-weights.

As the caravan will only be used for week-ends and thus theoretically will only have a relatively light load, is MiRO an option or as an inexperienced tower, should I stick to the 85% rule.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi Clyde

Have a look at Bailey Ranger 460/4. Birth 4, Miro 972kg, mtplm 1184kg, payload 212kg, nice van will not break the bank or the car.

Regards Steve

 

[Clyde_374362931]

Hi Clyde

Have a look at Bailey Ranger 460/4. Birth 4, Miro 972kg, mtplm 1184kg, payload 212kg, nice van will not break the bank or the car.

Regards Steve

Many Thanks Stephen. The Bailey Ranger series is the one we are looking at as our best bet.

 

[Lutz]

There is no such thing as an 85% rule, only a recommendation. What is much more important is that you don't exceed the maximum permitted towload and that, in isolated cases, can be less than 85%.

 

[Clyde_374362931]

Thanks Lutz. My Volvo S60 D5 I think has a 1600Kg maximum towing limit which is well above the 85% recommendation on MTPLM. It just gets quoted so regularly, as a newcomer I was taking it as gospel.

 

[Angus1]

Don`t get confused though Clyde when using 85% as a guide, it is 85% of your cars kerbweight, NOT its towing limit which in many cases can be well in excess of its kerbweight.

 

[Clyde_374362931]

Thanks Angus and I guess that's my main query. 85% of my MTPLM is fairly low and therefore there is a small pool of caravans to choose from. However maximum towing limit is quite a bit higher and I was just querying, if we are travelling light as we only intend to use at weekends (no awning etc), am I way offline by suggesting bending the 85% guideline for a first time caravanner.

 

[Garfield]

You should take both MIRO and MTPLM into account as the difference between the two varies significantly, our freind sterling elite is at one end ogf the scale with MIRO of 1256kg and MTPLM of just 1400 allowing only 144kg payload whereas our MIRO is nearly the same at 1266kg but has an mtplm of 1600 giving a 334kg payload, For example you could get two caravans with MIRO/MTPLMS of 1400/1550 and 1300/1600, using just MTPLM the first caravan appears to be the lightest but in reality, given that most people carry the same kit regardless the 1300/1600 caravan will, in practice be the lightest to tow.

 

[BobD]

Hi Clyde,

I get the feeling you're a bit mixed up with all this MIRO/MTPLM/kerbweight/etc stuff.

I'll give you an example to explain.

Kerbweight of Car (eg.1500kgs)

MIRO is the caravan as it leaves the factory (eg. 1200kgs)

MTPLM is the maximum weight of the caravan including its contents, mover, gas, etc. (eg.1400)

Maximum tow weight for a car according to the handbook (eg. Mondeo TDCi 1800kgs)

The towing weight doesn't really come into it as its above the kerbweight of the car. I would say the max tow weight in this instance is 1500kgs.

So, 85% limit of your kerbweight would be 1275kgs. This means if you wanted to stick rigidly to the 85% guideline that you couldn't tow a caravan of 1200kgs MIRO. The contents would take it over 1275kgs. You would have to look at something lighter.

COULD you tow a fully laden caravan 1400kgs with the example car? Yes

Would I? Yes, Its a 93% match so I wouldn't panic too much. I would be conscious about it though and drive accordingly (like you should always do - even with a 50% match)

Hope this doesn't confuse you more

BobD

 

[Clyde_374362931]

Hi Clyde,

I get the feeling you're a bit mixed up with all this MIRO/MTPLM/kerbweight/etc stuff.

I'll give you an example to explain.

Kerbweight of Car (eg.1500kgs)

MIRO is the caravan as it leaves the factory (eg. 1200kgs)

MTPLM is the maximum weight of the caravan including its contents, mover, gas, etc. (eg.1400)

Maximum tow weight for a car according to the handbook (eg. Mondeo TDCi 1800kgs)

The towing weight doesn't really come into it as its above the kerbweight of the car. I would say the max tow weight in this instance is 1500kgs.

So, 85% limit of your kerbweight would be 1275kgs. This means if you wanted to stick rigidly to the 85% guideline that you couldn't tow a caravan of 1200kgs MIRO. The contents would take it over 1275kgs. You would have to look at something lighter.

COULD you tow a fully laden caravan 1400kgs with the example car? Yes

Would I? Yes, Its a 93% match so I wouldn't panic too much. I would be conscious about it though and drive accordingly (like you should always do - even with a 50% match)

Hope this doesn't confuse you more

BobD

Thanks Bob, you've expanded my understanding of the figures. More importantly the last paragraph lays my mind at rest a bit more giving a wider pool of second hands to choose from

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi Clyde,

I get the feeling you're a bit mixed up with all this MIRO/MTPLM/kerbweight/etc stuff.

I'll give you an example to explain.

Kerbweight of Car (eg.1500kgs)

MIRO is the caravan as it leaves the factory (eg. 1200kgs)

MTPLM is the maximum weight of the caravan including its contents, mover, gas, etc. (eg.1400)

Maximum tow weight for a car according to the handbook (eg. Mondeo TDCi 1800kgs)

The towing weight doesn't really come into it as its above the kerbweight of the car. I would say the max tow weight in this instance is 1500kgs.

So, 85% limit of your kerbweight would be 1275kgs. This means if you wanted to stick rigidly to the 85% guideline that you couldn't tow a caravan of 1200kgs MIRO. The contents would take it over 1275kgs. You would have to look at something lighter.

COULD you tow a fully laden caravan 1400kgs with the example car? Yes

Would I? Yes, Its a 93% match so I wouldn't panic too much. I would be conscious about it though and drive accordingly (like you should always do - even with a 50% match)

Hope this doesn't confuse you more

BobD

BOdD

Very well explaned thats the clearest I have seen on this forum.

 

[Rowan]

Hi Clyde,

I get the feeling you're a bit mixed up with all this MIRO/MTPLM/kerbweight/etc stuff.

I'll give you an example to explain.

Kerbweight of Car (eg.1500kgs)

MIRO is the caravan as it leaves the factory (eg. 1200kgs)

MTPLM is the maximum weight of the caravan including its contents, mover, gas, etc. (eg.1400)

Maximum tow weight for a car according to the handbook (eg. Mondeo TDCi 1800kgs)

The towing weight doesn't really come into it as its above the kerbweight of the car. I would say the max tow weight in this instance is 1500kgs.

So, 85% limit of your kerbweight would be 1275kgs. This means if you wanted to stick rigidly to the 85% guideline that you couldn't tow a caravan of 1200kgs MIRO. The contents would take it over 1275kgs. You would have to look at something lighter.

COULD you tow a fully laden caravan 1400kgs with the example car? Yes

Would I? Yes, Its a 93% match so I wouldn't panic too much. I would be conscious about it though and drive accordingly (like you should always do - even with a 50% match)

Hope this doesn't confuse you more

BobD

Hi, we are in a similar position - being new to all this and buying our first van. The kerbweight of my Mondeo Estate is around 1560kgs which would, according to the 85% recommendation, mean a maximum MTPLM of 1326kgs. However, we are in the process of buying a van with an MTPLM of 1410kgs (a Bailey Pageant Champagne)... a 90% match. However, we have spent a lot of time looking into this (gleamed advice from a lot of people, checked various forums and websites etc) and feel this is ok. We also worked out the weight of everything we would take and expect to tow 86-87% which is very close to the 85% recommendation. Finally, the way the caravan is loaded is all important - check the nose weight - and often forgotten things like tyre pressures make all the difference. Finally, remember the kerbweight of your car is likely to change a bit - it wont always have just the driver and a full tank of fuel in it! In the end all the advice I have been given points to being sensible and taking it easy - oh and not exceeding the max gross train weight of your car of course (trailer, car, people and all luggage etc is not above the given figure).