Hi all
So unfortunately this week my trusty 54-plate Audi A3 has been written off (non-fault accident) - this was the vehicle we used for towing our small 2 berth caravan. I'm absolutely gutted as it had taken us 80k miles in 5 years all over the UK on camping adventures
Anyway, we also have a BMW 125D, however I need some technical perspective on the feasibility of towing with it.
Our caravan has a MIRO of 1085kg. It has an MLTPM of 1260kg. The car has a braked towing capacity of 1200kg and a kerbweight of 1565kg. On the face of it, I thought the car would not legally be allowed to tow the van due to the MLTPM, however my understanding is that when the van is attached to the car the nose weight is transferred to the car, therefore the towing weight is less, and therefore could be under the 1200kg.
I have a public weighbridge round the corner from me so am going to take the van there for some measurements attached/detached from the car.
Am I right in my logic/thinking that if the van is under 1200kg when attached to the car then it is perfectly acceptable (and legal) to tow with our BMW, despite it potentially weighing more than that when it is not attached to the car?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
So unfortunately this week my trusty 54-plate Audi A3 has been written off (non-fault accident) - this was the vehicle we used for towing our small 2 berth caravan. I'm absolutely gutted as it had taken us 80k miles in 5 years all over the UK on camping adventures
Anyway, we also have a BMW 125D, however I need some technical perspective on the feasibility of towing with it.
Our caravan has a MIRO of 1085kg. It has an MLTPM of 1260kg. The car has a braked towing capacity of 1200kg and a kerbweight of 1565kg. On the face of it, I thought the car would not legally be allowed to tow the van due to the MLTPM, however my understanding is that when the van is attached to the car the nose weight is transferred to the car, therefore the towing weight is less, and therefore could be under the 1200kg.
I have a public weighbridge round the corner from me so am going to take the van there for some measurements attached/detached from the car.
Am I right in my logic/thinking that if the van is under 1200kg when attached to the car then it is perfectly acceptable (and legal) to tow with our BMW, despite it potentially weighing more than that when it is not attached to the car?
Thanks in advance for all your help.