Tow car question

[Beehpee]

Hi all, I've put this question in the tech category as I reckon this gets looked at most, so I've got a friend who wants to buy my Avondale, her car says the following, technical permissible max towable mass of trailer Braked 1300kg,
Car weight says max permissible mass (exc. m/c 1819) then says mass in service 1324.
The Avondale has total max weight with own kit of 1250, so the questions are, although I can see max braked is more than the Avondale I don't know what the 2 figures of 1819 and 1324 refer to to tell him how good a match it is, these figures are taken from the V5 for the actual car so not just random figures from websites, any help would be great.

BP

 

[Beehpee]

On the plate on the actual car has following
1819kg
3119kg
1- 969kg
2-899kg
These figures are a bit of a puzzle I thought the first figure of 1819 was the weight of the car plus if you towed the max 1300 permissible 1300 it gave you total weight of 3119, no idea about the other 2 figures tho

BP

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

See here for explanation of figures.

PS - if she is a first time caravanner and her car has a mass in service of 1324 kg then the recommendation is that she tows no more than 85% of this weight, irrespective of the capability of the car if greater. 85% of 1324 is 1125 kg, ie quite a bit less than the MTPLM of the caravan and therefore the van is considered unsuitable for the car.

 

[Beehpee]

Ok WC that's quite straightforward reading from the link you posted so on the plate I gave the figures for it had first figure of 1819kg so if the caravan has a loaded weight of 1250 to work out the match ratio it's what percentage of 1819 is 1250, I get that to be a slightly better than 70% match? Or am I missing something?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

See the Post Script on my previous reply as our postings crossed.

 

[Beehpee]

I thought the 1819 is mass in service, where does the 1324 figure come from?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I thought the 1819 is mass in service, where does the 1324 figure come from?

From your first posting:
"Car weight says max permissible mass (exc. m/c 1819) then says mass in service 1324."

Mass In Service is roughly equal to Kerb Weight, which is the figure to use for towing ratios.

 

[Beehpee]

Right got you, yet in the link you gave it states the first figure as being gross vehicle weight, all very confusing eh

BP

 

[Hutch]

BP, remember that the recomendation of 85% is taken with the car being at its lightest, and the Caravan at it heaviest. For saftey.
Many people tow with the car almost fully laden, ie, two adults kids dog etc, so the car would be heavier and would give you an actual tow ratio closer to the 85% , But !!!

 

[swpostie]

1324 is the equivalent of the caravan's MIRO - i.e empty weight.

1819 is the equivalent of the caravan's MTPLM - i.e maximum weight when full.

The most important figure is the towing limit of 1300 - that is an absolute limit, rather than a recommendation (like the 85% rule).

I wouldn't have thought it would really be too much of a problem as long as you keep the 'van light and the car heavy and don't exceed the max GTW of 3119.

 

[NigelHutson]

Just to clarify what the figures on the plate mean:-

1819 is the Gross Vehicle Weight (the maximum the car is permitted) in kg
3119 is the Gross Train Weight (car plus trailer maximum permitted) in kg
1 - 969 is the maximum permitted weight on the front axle in kg
2 - 899 is the maximum permitted weight of the rear axle in kg

 

[Beehpee]

Hi folks, well she's decided to play it safe and is changing the car, as a first time tugger she wants to be as safe as possible so is now looking at a 4x4 type vehicle, let you know how the match stacks up when the final decision is made. Thanks for all the replies as always.

BP

 

[ProfJohnL]

......

The most important figure is the towing limit of 1300 - that is an absolute limit, rather than a recommendation (like the 85% rule).......

Hello swpostie
We have fought a long hard battle to convince people to stop using the word rule in conjunction with the 85%. As it has no legality and there is no sanction applies if its not complied with , the use of the word rule gives a false impression of its importance.

Best practice is to quote it as "85% guidance"

not and never was a rule, it is only guidance figure.

 

[swpostie]

Thanks Prof,

I was going to put the word "rule" in inverted commas (like that!) but thought, having described it as a "recommendation", that that would not be necessary.

I'll try and be clearer in future.

 

[chrisn7]

Just to clarify what the figures on the plate mean:-

1819 is the Gross Vehicle Weight (the maximum the car is permitted) in kg
3119 is the Gross Train Weight (car plus trailer maximum permitted) in kg
1 - 969 is the maximum permitted weight on the front axle in kg
2 - 899 is the maximum permitted weight of the rear axle in kg

Ah, clarity is wonderful!