Towing capacity Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

[goonybird]

Current caravan 2017 Sprite 4EB MTPLM 1500kg (1344kg Unladen)
Current car BMW 5 3.0 Petrol Auto
Trying to find a smaller wife friendly car that can tow the carava, so we then only need one car. Qashqai size & not Diesel.
Looking at a Mitsubushi Eclipse Cross 4wd Auto. Towing capacity is 1600kg which on paper looks fine.
However the Kerbweight according to brochure is 1555kg. Although I have seen reviews stating up to 1740kg.
I have been towing for 5 years so consider some experience.
But these figures don't quite add up? Worked it out at 96% match

 

[Thingy]

We get lent an Eclipse when our car goes in for service. Have to say, all round vision is pretty poor. I think the kerbweight difference will come in variations of engine and gearbox, but have you been to the Mitsubishi website and specced the car you would buy. It should then give you all its weights and dimensions.

 

[ProfJohnL]

On paper the combination seems workable, but it's marginal and I'd d be tempted to suggest you should be looking for a heavier car (it doesn't have to be an SUV or a 4x4 to tow a caravan). Experience will definitely help.

With a 1500kg MTPLM (MAM) caravan almost any car you choose even the Mitisbushi Eclipses, the combined MAM will be very close if not over 3500kg in which case you will almost certainly need to have driving licence entitlement Be ot B+E on your licence. Please check.

 

[otherclive]

Current caravan 2017 Sprite 4EB MTPLM 1500kg (1344kg Unladen)
Current car BMW 5 3.0 Petrol Auto
Trying to find a smaller wife friendly car that can tow the carava, so we then only need one car. Qashqai size & not Diesel.
Looking at a Mitsubushi Eclipse Cross 4wd Auto. Towing capacity is 1600kg which on paper looks fine.
However the Kerbweight according to brochure is 1555kg. Although I have seen reviews stating up to 1740kg.
I have been towing for 5 years so consider some experience.
But these figures don't quite add up? Worked it out at 96% match

Is it a normally aspirated engine or turbo. If the former it could need lots of revs when towing. Or does it have electric assurance ? I had a 150 bhp petrol with a 2000 kg tow rating but even at 1300 kg I found it’s tendency to need revs not relaxing at all. My present petrol tow car has a turbo. Chalk and cheese.

 

[goonybird]

Thanks. Licence over 40years. The Eclipse is 1.6 Turbo and Towing reviews are positive, exept for lower weights up to 1350kg (it does appear the Kerb weight is very conservative and as tested would give a 92% match and if really is higher at 1740kg gives an 86% match.

 

[Lutz]

Sources very often quote kerbeweights that aren't kerbweights at all, but mass in service figures taken from manufacturers' specs or V5's. The difference between the two can be quite significant.

 

[Hutch]

Goonybird, This site might be helpfull, if you can narrow it down to the exact model you want.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV Dynamic 4WD auto 5d specs & dimensions

Find all the key specs about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV Dynamic 4WD auto 5d from fuel efficiency and top speed, to running costs, dimensions data and lots more

www.parkers.co.uk

 

[otherclive]

Once you’ve the exact model try matching it to the caravan on “ towcar.info” which I find quite a good site for my last four cars.

 

[Raywood]

If it is the mass in service figure you have you can add 75 kg to that to get the kerb weight used in the 85% calculation. It does allow this for the driver and some luggage.

 

[Lutz]

If it is the mass in service figure you have you can add 75 kg to that to get the kerb weight used in the 85% calculation. It does allow this for the driver and some luggage.

You've got it the wrong way round. Mass in service includes 75kg for the driver and sundry items, kerbweight is without those 75kg. However, kerbweight will normally still be greater than mass in service because the latter is for a base vehicle which doesn't include any factory-fitted optional extras. Kerbweight, on the other hand, is specific to the vehicle in question and does include factory-fitted options.

 

[Raywood]

Kerb weight used for the 85% figure does include 75 kg for the driver and luggage, this is part of the confusion for newcomers as the figure without this was adopted for other purposes later. All these weight descriptions are confusing and some clarification is needed.

 

[Lutz]

Kerb weight used for the 85% figure does include 75 kg for the driver and luggage, this is part of the confusion for newcomers as the figure without this was adopted for other purposes later. All these weight descriptions are confusing and some clarification is needed.

It's not that clarification is needed. The definitions are quite clear. If only people would stick to those definitions instead of interpreting terms such as kerbweight to suit themselves.