Absolutely, the towing ratio is only a guideline, and I know its a very poor metric for assessing towing outfits, but at least is does suggest the benefits of keeping the masses of trailers and especially caravans as small as possible which is good sense.
The Caravan Club, as it was then, had recommended a maximum towing ratio for decades before the Bristol experiment, originally based on the consensus of experienced caravanners - it's been gradually increased from 75% to 80% and then to 85/100% in the NCC Towing Code for beginners/experienced caravanners.Exactly. The 85% figure it seems to have been chosen at random based on an experiment Bristol university did decades ago using models and technology based on cars of that era. We have moved on a lot since.
Not sure why there seems to be an argument about it unless some people are simply bored and looking for responses by trying to wind up other like on another thread?
I thought by you referring to Google that you had found something relevant to the derivation of the 85% ratio, but if you can’t produce a link then your comment is superfluous.Exactly. The 85% figure it seems to have been chosen at random based on an experiment Bristol university did decades ago using models and technology based on cars of that era. We have moved on a lot since.
Not sure why there seems to be an argument about it unless some people are simply bored and looking for responses by trying to wind up other like on another thread?
Seems a lack of understanding by you regarding my comment for which I apologise. I never mentioned any derivation of the 85% ratio which is based on very old dated technology therefore an arbitrary figure.
Was it Bristol as I’ve only ever seen the University of Bath research reports on trailer stability through sponsorship from Bailey of Bristol. Prof John posted in a thread a while back on the U of B work plus involvement of Bailey, and CC but it still did not link 85% with any specific body. But notwithstanding that dearth of information it provides a starting point for new caravanners along with several other facets that contribute to a stable outfit.
Other insurance companies are quite unconcerned with weight ratios, even when the towing limit is nearly twice the kerbweight - indeed no car or caravan insurer has ever imposed such restriction on any of my policies.
Using MIRO for the car would possibly cause even more confusion to newbies. Why not Mass in Service as that’s recognised in the V5.
I understand your point, but isn't that the same as kerbweight? You cannot tow a trailer without a fitted towbar, fluids in vehicle and a driver which is why I suggested MIRO.
I wouldn't call it a policy as Renault applied it differently on different models. I suspect it was a ploy to make lighter cars seem more appealing.
Do beware that all policies require the outfit to be in a roadworthy condition. If you go silly with the weights you might find they try to invoke that condition.
It's not an issue for me as I always try to ensure roadworthiness, indeed I try to ensure the highest standards - and always try to operate within weight limits.
The perceived wisdom is to treat caravans as fully loaded, ie running at MTPLM, as the payloads are so meagre - at least on most UK-built caravans they're meagre,
However it certainly would not be wise to tow 2000kg with a Nissan Qashqai!
Best place to find accurate information is on the weight label attached to a vehicle. Normally found on a B pillar or in the engine bay. So when looking at cars just have a peep at the weight label.
I didn't mention any caravan weight. The 2000kg is the car manufacturers published max tow weight for a 2020 1.7 diesel.
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