think i need a new car

[josh1]

we been away in the caravan this weekend, and while i had some spare time thought i look up towing weights of our car, ive not towed with this car as it has no tow bar fitted yet, but brought it because we needed a car quickly
now i just realised our mondeo isnt much good really, its a 2002, 2.0 tdci ghia X 130 bhp (chipped to 156 bhp)

heres some weights
kerbweight 1506kgs (from logbook)
max car weight 2005kgs (from chassis plate off car)
max train weight 3460kgs (from chassis plate off car)
so 3460kgs- 2005kgs = 1455kgs

WOW our carvans MTPLM is 1454kgs

think we need a bigger car!!!

 

[otherclive]

You just tow with your van loaded below MTPLM and the heavy kit in the car.

 

[Lutz]

Not necessarily. 3460-2005=1455kg, correct, but that (i.e. the maximum permissible towload) is not the total weight (MTPLM) of the caravan but only its axle load. So even if the caravan is loaded to the limit at 1454kg, you would still be within the maximum specified towload.
Of course, at 1454/1506=96% you would be over the 85% weight ratio recommendation, but that is something that you need to decide for yourself. That's not a mandatory issue.

 

[josh1]

yes, we dont have alot in the caravan anyway, just the step, aquaroll and wastehog and 4 foldup chairs, it gets emptied pretty much everytime we leave

i must go in a weightbrige next ime out really, weve only had the caravan since september
the thing that worries me is im on the post 97 licence and being so close to the limit i think if the police stopped me they would probably frown upon me
but new car means trailer test too

 

[Francis_374353316]

Hi
I tow 1400kgs with a Mondeo 2.0 tdci 130bhp and have no bother my car weighs 1505kgs I think you will be OK

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Josh,

I think you may be being rather over pessimistic.

Lets start from your cat B licence limits based on the information you supply:

Is the cars unladen weight (Kerbweight/Miro) greater than the trailer MTPLM 1506Kg is greater than 1454 - so yes OK

Is the combined MAM less than 3500Kg? 2005 + 1454 = 3460Kg so yes OK

Granted you are close to the top of your limits but you are inside them. These matters are black and white and based on the paper evidence, so your licence is safe.

Even the car is not technically over weight as the trailer when full is still within the cars towed weight limit.

Where you are at odds with the industry (not legal) guidance is that novice towers are recommended not to exceed 85% caravan to car weight ratio. Its not a magic figure that guarantees safety if you stick below or and incident if you exceed it, so there is some latitude. However your current out fit does come in at a hefty 96% ratio.

The good news is that you have already towed the outfit, and assuming you had no nasty moments then it has already proved its a fair match.

I'm not sure why you think you car is no good, It has healthy power output, so what is the problem? I hope you are not expecting it to accelerate like a sports car when the caravan is on its back after all its pulling nearly twice its normal weight. provided you can pull away from junctions without becoming a danger to other traffic, then you have enough performance.

In your current circumstances it might be costly to go for a bigger car, though it would give you a greater margin of control, but do you really need it?.

 

[Martin24]

Where you may have an issue is if you decide to change the van at some point in the future and then need to change the car and at the same time have to take the towing test. If you are happy with the performance at the moment then maybe taking the towing test while not essential would be a good idea, get that expense out of the way now and then you're provided with more flexibility in the future??

 

[ProfJohnL]

Martin has made a very good suggestion.

 

[Martin24]

Thanks Prof

 

[josh1]

thanks everyone

maybe i am a bit OTT (if thats the right saying) about it all, your help is much appriecated,
ive not actually towed with this car but we had a mondeo when we first got the caravan, which was the 115 bhp model, and did actually tow it quite well, but got wrote off! (thats the one in my picture)
we had a couple cars since then but not towed with them as it was over the winter.
i think i will get a towbar fitted to this 1 and see how it goes

and as said get the B+E test done, then see what happens then.

thanks again guys

 

[Francis_374353316]

No problem I hope you get everything sorted out so you can enjoy your caravan!!