Please help with weights!

[lolly_5087162]

We are thinking about buying a 2002 Bailey Senator Wyoming, please could someone help with the weights as I don't understand them!

The van's breakdown is as follows:

MIRO = 1375 kg

PAYLOAD = 242 kg

MTPLM = 1617 kg

The Towcar is a 1994 'L' reg Land Rover Discovery 2.5 tdi. I have the manual for the car in front of me, but don't understand which weights apply.

If anyone can help, please let me know which of the car weights you need to work out whether it's a good match or not.

Thanks

Lolly x

 

[Lutz]

To work out the weight ratio, you take the MTPLM of the caravan (1617kg, in your case) and divide that by the kerbweight of the car (I'm not sure of the figure for a 1994 Disco 2.5tdi but it'll probably be somewhere around 2000kg). Assuming my estimate is about right, that would give you a weight ratio of 81%.

 

[lolly_5087162]

Hi Lutz

I was hoping you would come to my rescue!

In the manual it says (if i'm looking in the right section)!

Towing Weights

V8 & 300 Tdi models

Unbraked trailers 750kg

Trailers with overrun brakes 3500kg

4 wheel trailers with coupled brakes 4000kg

Are these the figures you need?

If your earlier assumption is correct, a weight ratio of 81%, is that good? Would we be ok to go ahead and purchase the van based on that ratio?

Thanks in anticipation!

Lolly x

 

[GrahamW]

Lolly

The figures you quote (whilst important) are not what you need to establish the towing ratio. You need the kerbweight of your disco. Should be an approximate weight in the manual. I would think you would be nearer to the 2500kg. Therefore 1671 divide by 2500 = 67 %

Even if the weight is as low as 2250kg its still a good match.

 

[GrahamW]

Lolly

The figures you quote (whilst important) are not what you need to establish the towing ratio. You need the kerbweight of your disco. Should be an approximate weight in the manual. I would think you would be nearer to the 2500kg. Therefore 1671 divide by 2500 = 67 %

Even if the weight is as low as 2250kg its still a good match.

Sorry

1617 divide by 2500 = 65%

 

[Lutz]

The 750kg for an unbraked trailer don't apply because a caravan with an MTPLM of 1617kg will always have an overrun brake.

The 3500kg is the maximum axle load that you can tow if you have a driving licence for a car.

4000kg applies to trailers with coupled braking systems, which caravans do not have, and you would also need a C&E goods vehicle licence.

You should find a figure for the kerbweight of the Disco somewhere in the manual, too. These figures are only approximate but good enough for calculating rough weight ratios. (I think you'll be on the safe side if you use the 2000kg that I mentioned earlier if you can't find anything it in the manual). To get an accurate figure, you'd have to have the car weighed on a weighbridge because there can be quite a big variation from one car to another, although they might nominally even have the same specification.

 

[lolly_5087162]

Ok, thanks for your help, I take it it's safe to buy the van then?

Lolly x

 

[Lutz]

Yes, more than ample safety margin.

 

[sparkes]

Lolly

That van is too light for your car. Find a bigger one!

;-)

 

[lolly_5087162]

Oh, how we have missed you Mr Parkes!!!

Glad you're back!

Love to all

Lolly x

 

[Stephen_5122599]

The 750kg for an unbraked trailer don't apply because a caravan with an MTPLM of 1617kg will always have an overrun brake.

The 3500kg is the maximum axle load that you can tow if you have a driving licence for a car.

4000kg applies to trailers with coupled braking systems, which caravans do not have, and you would also need a C&E goods vehicle licence.

You should find a figure for the kerbweight of the Disco somewhere in the manual, too. These figures are only approximate but good enough for calculating rough weight ratios. (I think you'll be on the safe side if you use the 2000kg that I mentioned earlier if you can't find anything it in the manual). To get an accurate figure, you'd have to have the car weighed on a weighbridge because there can be quite a big variation from one car to another, although they might nominally even have the same specification.

Hi Lutz,

Sorry to contradict you but you would not need a C+E licence to tow a 4000kg trailer with a Discovery.

A Land Rover Discovery requires a B category driving licence, towing a trailer of 4000kg gross weight with it brings the combination into B+E category.

Basically the vehicle remains a category B whatever it tows.

Regards

Steve