Outfit concerns

[Jonathan_374548544]

Hello all,

Looking for some advice after buying a Bailey Pageant Series 7 Bretagne (MRO 1258 Kgs, MTPLM 1483 Kgs) in May 2009.

Up until now I have been towing with a 2003 Ford Mondeo without any drama. Admittedly this has only been on about 10 short weekend journeys of 100 miles at a time.

The car has a kerbweight of 1495 Kgs with a permissible gross weight of 2005 Kgs and a Gross train weight of 3460 Kgs.

The dealer who sold me the caravan has told me that I will be fine with all the above figures as long as I do not load the caravan to it's max. And with the caravan having the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control System we have nothing to worry about - his words.

Other caravanners have told me I will be okay, while others have said we would need to be careful!

As my wife and I, along with our two small children are thinking of taking the caravan to France this summer (a journey of 1000 miles each way from our home) I would really appreciate other peoples advice with regards to my outfit.

We do intend traveling light but with children on board I do not want to take any risks.

Thanking you in advance.

 

[Zafiral]

We have the same caravan which we have towed around the country with a Zafira CDTi (150) since Jan 09. We have been towing since mid 2006 and with our last van have included trips to the Vendee in France.

Our Zafira weighed around 1600kg and towed the van with no stability problems at all.

From the (relatively) low GTW you quoted I assume your Mondeo is a petrol.

I will be surprised if you are able to travel light for such a long holiday. I take it you are not planning to take an awning.

Do you have twin or fully wired 13 pin electrics on your tow car, if not your ATC will be inactive.

All in all, my gut feeling is that the outfit you have is not recommended, and if the caravan is fully loaded (remember the empty weight of the caravan does not include gas bottles, battery or a motor mover (if fitted), maybe not even legal. On Fords the max tow weight is usually the difference between the Gross Weight and the Gross Train Weight (1455kg from your figures).

Sorry for putting a dampener on things, but from your tone I take it you are not certain, and I have to agree.

 

[ValA.]

I'd agree too - we have a 2005 Mondeo TDCI, slightly heavier, and diesel. It doesn't struggle to tow, but then our caravan weights only 1035 MIRO and 1285 MTPLM. Also, there are two of us in the car, and payload for only two. I think you'll be surprised just how much all the extras add up to for a family of four.

 

[Lutz]

The information that you got from the dealer, that you may not load the caravan to its max. weight of 1483kg is wrong. Assuming the noseweight is 75kg, then the car would be towing 1483kg - 75kg = 1408kg, which is less than the permissible towload of 3460kg - 2005kg = 1455kg. NOTE: The towload is not the total weight of the caravan, but only its axle load. You can therefore load the caravan up to its MTPLM without exceeding any limits.

The AlKo ATC will give you adequate protection so long as you load the caravan properly and keep the noseweight within spec. Although one should not have to rely on it all the time, it will prevent you from getting into trouble.

 

[Glenn_5132962]

I tow the same van with a Jag X-type 2.2d which is basically a mondeo underneith. My max tow weight is 1500kg. We use the van all year round & have 2 kids & bikes, awning etc so we dont travel too light. I try to get the heavy stuff in the car though. I have never had a scary moment the outfit is totally stable even overtaking trucks or in winds. My advice is to do some more trips & get the feel of it in different conditions etc.

 

[Zafiral]

Lutz

I remember bring the point about deducting the nose weight up before, and it was you & I against the world then!!! I appologise for forgetting the fact.