newbie after advice n answers

[mark_374371084]

Hi , hoping to start the search for a caravan start of next year, but stuck on some figures... could someone look at my figures i have and let me know if i`m close

so i got a vectra1.8 sxi with a kerb weight of 1432kg

85% of that is 1217kgs max towing weight of van,... right?

to find the nose weight for my car/van is 4% of the total weight of the van ie for a van that weighs say.. 1200kgs the nose weight should be around 48kgs... am i even close? )

cheers and Hiya

 

[Lutz]

The 1217kg that you have calculated is a recommended figure, not the maximum. You will find the maximum towload in the owner's handbook or on the car's VIN plate (often the gross train weight is shown, so you would have to deduct the GVW to find out the max. towload).

Set the noseweight at the lower of the two limits specified for car and caravan, respectively. From memory, the Vectra has a 76kg maximum.

 

[mark_374371084]

okkkkkk.... cheers Lutz,

gross veh weight 1885kgs

gross train weight 3085kgs,these figures are on a sticker inside drivers door,

that means my max permitted weight of a van would be 1200kg 7kgs less than my recommended figure (now im confused)i think i may have my kerb weight wrong eh?

 

[mark_374371084]

maby I`m trying too hard to understand this, I`ve got a few months to work it out, but was hoping to look at vans i could easily and safely tow, and rule out the ones that are too big,

) cheers

 

[Lutz]

Yes, if 3085kg is the gross train weight and 1885kg the gross vehicle weight, then you may tow 1200kg. But, this 1200kg is NOT the total weight of the caravan, just what you tow, i.e. its axle load. The difference is the noseweight, but that counts towards the car's gross vehicle weight. So, the total weight of the caravan may be 1200kg plus whatever the noseweight is.

The kerbweight of 1435kg sounds about right for a Vectra 1.8.

 

[smiley]

Don't forget its the gross train weight. your only restricted if your over load your car to the brim.

 

[Lutz]

Your reply suggests that so long as you stay within the maximum permitted gross train weight, you can tow more than 1200kg. That is not the case because the towload also has a limit, irrespective of the gross train weight. In the case in question this will probably also be 1200kg although one would have to check in the onwner's handbook.