New Sorento much lighter

[Mikey1]

Pictures of the new Sorento are starting to filter through now and the most amazing thing is they say it is 215 kgs lighter than the old car,surely this isnt good news for caravanners as the kerbwieght will be around the 1850kg mark.

This puts it around 100% on most twin axle will they continue to be so popular with vanners?

 

[SteveW77]

It certainly would be popular with me if the fuel consumption improves, but then I only tow a single axle at about 1450Kgs.

Steve W

 

[ian_374463117]

It certainly would be popular with me if the fuel consumption improves, but then I only tow a single axle at about 1450Kgs.

Steve W

With the bigger 4X4s i don't think the 85% guide is so important. My mate's Sorento has a towing capasity of 3.5tonnes. lets hope they don't start making vans that heavy!

 

[Mikey1]

It certainly would be popular with me if the fuel consumption improves, but then I only tow a single axle at about 1450Kgs.

Steve W

I think towing more than the kerbweight of your car is illegal?

From a safe motoring website

Car to Caravan weight ratio

It is recommended that you do not exceed an 85% caravan to car weight ratio. This means that your caravan, fully loaded, should not be more than 85% of your cars kerb-weight (or max tow weight if this is lower). If you are an experienced caravaner you can go up to 100% weight ration but this is not recommended. If the caravan is more than the kerb-weight of the car and you are stopped by the Police you could be prosecuted.

 

[Mikey1]

think towing more than the kerbweight of your car is illegal?

From a safe motoring website

Car to Caravan weight ratio

It is recommended that you do not exceed an 85% caravan to car weight ratio. This means that your caravan, fully loaded, should not be more than 85% of your cars kerb-weight (or max tow weight if this is lower). If you are an experienced caravaner you can go up to 100% weight ration but this is not recommended. If the caravan is more than the kerb-weight of the car and you are stopped by the Police you could be prosecuted.

 

[STEPHEN_374226156]

This information is misleading you can only be prosecuted for exceeding the manufactures max towing limit,there are many cars available with a max tow weight greater than the kerb-weight

 

[marlot]

This information is misleading you can only be prosecuted for exceeding the manufactures max towing limit,there are many cars available with a max tow weight greater than the kerb-weight

Not the whole story. Different rules apply if you passed your test after 1997

 

[otherclive]

Whilst the new Sorento looks nice it has become a CUV rather than the potent off roader that the current one is. I have used mine on off road many occasions onec on the Salisbury Ranges and Wiltshire GreenLanes. In the 2007 floods it was the Sorento that got us home from Warwick to Wilts, albeit it took 12 hours. But its wading depth far exceeds the stated spec. On more thana few occassions our local River Avon has flooded and the Sorento has got through when some other cars such as CRV, X3 had to turn around. I was hoping to replace the 04 XS in 2010 witha new Sorento but whilst its twoing credentials and mpg will be good, it's more like a Santa Fe. Looks like areturn to LR....... or keep 04 Sorrie for ever.

 

[STEPHEN_374226156]

Timothy if your following this thread you will see that it applies to the tow car NOT the drivers license

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mikey

On what grounds would the police prosecute? Provided the trailer weighs less than the cars specified max towing limit, then what offence has been committed?

You cannot be prosecuted for an over weight trailer provided it complies with the towing vehicles specifications, However, if you are stopped for having an unsafe outfit, then the reasons for it being classed as unsafe must be more than simply the weight of the trailer.

There is a situation where more than 100% ratio is illegal, and that has nothing to do with the car, but the drivers licence categories. There was change in the licence laws in Jan 1997. Before that date all drivers were awarded category B+E. but post 1997, all driver are now only awarded Cat B, which limits the fully laden trailer to 100% or less than the kerbweight of the car. The other important factor is that the combined MAM of both car and braked trailer must be 3500Kg or less.

 

[Mikey1]

If you look at the thread John L you will see i quoted info from a safe motoring website,not me personally

 

[Lutz]

The website that you are quoting from has got it's facts wrong unless they are referring to drivers who passed their test after the 1st January 1997 and do not hold a category B+E licence.

 

[ProfJohnL]

If you look at the thread John L you will see i quoted info from a safe motoring website,not me personally

Agreed, but you relayed the piece, and as it is wrong it needed correction.

I do wonder was that the complete quote or was there any other bits that might have qualified the statement?

 

[Mikey1]

All the quote.

Guide to Towing

Your vehicle

A quick look at the side of a car gives you an idea as to its potential for towing. If it has a relatively long wheelbase and the overhang at the back is short (distance between the centre of the rear wheels to the towball) that's a good start . We have listed some important calculations that you should consider in order to set up both vehicles for better towing.

Kerb Weight

The weight of the towing vehicle as defined by the vehicle manufacturer (we suggest that you consult your vehicle's manual for this). Alternatively you can use our guide to find your vehicles kerbweight, maximum tow weight, 85% & 95% kerb weights.

Actual Laden Weight

The total weight of the caravan/trailer and its contents when being towed.

Caravan or Trailer /Towing Vehicle Weight Ratio

The actual laden weight of the caravan expressed as a percentage of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle, i.e: actual laden weight of caravan, divided by kerb weight of towing vehicle, multiplied by 100.

Car to Caravan weight ratio

It is recommended that you do not exceed an 85% caravan to car weight ratio. This means that your caravan, fully loaded, should not be more than 85% of your cars kerb-weight (or max tow weight if this is lower). If you are an experienced caravaner you can go up to 100% weight ration but this is not recommended. If the caravan is more than the kerb-weight of the car and you are stopped by the Police you could be prosecuted.

 

[Lutz]

Looks like your source got even more wrong than I suspected.

Apart from the rubbish about possible prosecution if the weight ratio exceeds 100%, they talk about the weight ratio as the actual laden weight of the caravan divided by the kerbweight of the car. In fact, it is the maximum laden weight of the caravan (its MTPLM) divided by the kerbweight of the car.

They also suggest that they are able to establish the kerbweight of your car. Kerbweight is specific to each and every car and the very best that they can achieve is an approximate figure.

Someone has obviously failed miserably in doing his homework.

I suggest that their 'Guide to Towing' be thrown into the bin.

 

[Mikey1]

Its not a source Lutz and it was a Google question that led me to the site,it is info freely available from www.caravanning.com you would think the info they provide would be correct?

 

[Dustydog]

Mikey

Wikipedia is another site you can't trust. Just because it's on the net doesn't make it right.

Any more news on the new Sorento?

Cheers

Dustdyog

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mikey,

I am not disputing you found the passage you have reproduced, but I have looked at www.caravanning.com, and first of all it seems to be forum site with very wide other interests, so I am doubtful the owners are hardened caravanners. Incidentally I couldn't find a link to anything that came up with the same type of detailed information as you have provided, what was the URL of the page you were looking at?.

I have frequently suggested that people do not take contributions on forums (even this one) at face value. It is up to the reader to find ways to check the authenticity, and indeed the authority of a posting, even referring back to manufactures and authorities.

From my own perspective and experience, the information relayed in your posting is flawed. I would welcome the chance to advise the source of their errors.

 

[Mikey1]

Here you go John

http://www.gocaravanning.com/caravans/using/towing_guide.htm
To set the record straight i did say "I think it is illegal to tow more than the kerbweight of the car"

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

I think we should remember there is a difference between what is LEGAL and what is SENSIBLE.

The reduced weight of the new Sorento is not good if you want to tow a larger/heavier van. We considered the Sorento in 2007 as its weight fell into the category we needed (over 2000 kg), now it would be totally out of the picture.

 

[Lutz]

I agree in principle, but like they say, everything is relative. What is sensible for one outfit or for one driver might not necessarily be sensible for another. Everybody has got to make their own decisions.

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

Mmmm....but is it ever sensible to tow a van that is heavier than your car?

 

[Garfield]

I'm sure the improved fuel consumption of the new Sorrento will attract more buyers than it's weight loss will lose and if the suspension is designed more for road use than offroad then it will likely be every bit as stable as the old Sorrie.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Mmmm....but is it ever sensible to tow a van that is heavier than your car?

There are circumstances where it is perfectly possible and reasonable for a towcar to pull more than its own weight, and some do it on a regular basis, otherwise why would the 4x4 manufacturers continue to make vehicles with tow capacities of up to 3500Kg?

It does require careful consideration, but for some it is an essential requirement of their work. for example; building contractors and equestrian trailers.

Whilst these do have rather different surface areas compared to a caravan, the law does not differentiate between them.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Here you go John

http://www.gocaravanning.com/caravans/using/towing_guide.htm
To set the record straight i did say "I think it is illegal to tow more than the kerbweight of the car"

Thank you Mike.