renault megane estate[120 bhp]

[lordmonty]

after much deliberation between the fiat stilo & the c5 i have decided on the megane,after studying the figures for all three vehicles the renault seems to have the more powerful engine with 225lbs of torque[it beats the other 2 by a long way]has anybody any experience of these cars. i will be towing at approx 82% of kwt with an aks 1300.thanks in anticipation.

 

[Lutz]

Don't forget that many Renault models are limited by a relatively tight max. Gross Train Weight. I haven't got figures for the 120hp version but similar ones have a permissible gross train weight of 2900kg. If the car is fully laden to its max. GVW of around 1870kg (again this varies a bit from model to model), that leaves you with a towload limit of only 1030kg. Best check first whether that meets your needs.

 

[lordmonty]

interesting point lutz,i have gone over the figures for this model and the gross train weight is 2900kg so as long as i don't load car & van to the maximum[which i never do]i assume i am still legal,for the record the figures are van mgw 1093kg and car gross weight 1890kg making a total of 2983kg.renault give a max tow of 1350kg which is indeed misleading given a kwt of 1310kg and such a low train weight.

 

[Lutz]

If you load both car and caravan up to their respective limits, you'll be just a fraction over the permissible Gross Train Weight.

The noseweight counts as part of the total weight of the car and is not included in the towload.

Assuming a 75kg noseweight, the towload will be 1093kg (i.e. the MGW of the caravan) - 75kg = 1018kg. The car must not weigh more than 1890kg (i.e. its GVW) INCLUDING the noseweight, so your Gross Train Weight would be 1890kg + 1018kg = 2908kg or just 8kg over the legal limit.

 

[lordmonty]

would i still be legal if i kept below the maximum limits for both car and/or van,it would not be a problem as i never tow to the weight limits.

 

[Lutz]

Yes, in this case it's the actual weights that count not the theoretical limits although in your case I can't imagine that you would experience any problem for the sake of 8kg if you did make full use of the individual limits specified for car and caravan.

For full details refer to: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_506866.hcsp

 

[lordmonty]

cheers for that mate,i'll just have to get the wife to go on a diet 8kg is not a lot to lose!