Towing Car Kerbweight and Actual Caravan Weight

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Mar 14, 2005
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I think the best advice is to make use of the car storage as much as possible and minimise the payload added to the van.

In addition I would think it good practice to keep the centre of mass of the payload as close to the axles as possible to reduce thetendency to yaw.

True, but if taken to its logical conclusion, one may run out of the payload margin for the car, too.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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But with 60kg in the roofbox and probably a boot full of stuff as well, not to mention the noseweight of the caravan, you could already be exceeding the car's GVW.
GMW is 2949 kg and it can tow up to 3500kg. Normally travel with 2 adults, 2 Yorkies, clothes and some food in rear. Doubt if we get anywhere near maximum payload of 677kg.
 
Oct 8, 2006
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If the OP is looking for a three year-old van then he is in luck. Look inside the gas locker and you will find a plate/label that shows the true MTPLM of the caravan - which is usually at or close to (but never over) the maximum axle load. If there is no label then (at least with Al-Ko) there will be printed label stuck o the axle casing usually on the back or bottom and towards the centre. (Advice - use a proper camera to read it, not a phone!)
Subtract the MTPLM from the maximum axle load and you can then judge whether it is worth paying £60 or so for the upgrade against the extra load benefit. Indeed if the upgrade is less than about 40Kg the manufacturer may not even offer it, bit if it is nearer 100Kg ...........
(Our U4 Seville is 1203Kg 'empty' and plated 1326Kg MTPLM, but the gas locker figure is 1450Kg so for £66 we got an extra 124Kg which is a no-brainer.)
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Woodentop,

As I pointed out earlier, the ability to have an weight upgrade (assuming the MTPLM is not already at Gross axle load) is dependant on the manufacturers upgrade policy. Some will not increase MTPLM on secondhand or older caravans, so the idea might be a non starter for Threehorsehead.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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If the OP is looking for a three year-old van then he is in luck. Look inside the gas locker and you will find a plate/label that shows the true MTPLM of the caravan - which is usually at or close to (but never over) the maximum axle load. If there is no label then (at least with Al-Ko) there will be printed label stuck o the axle casing usually on the back or bottom and towards the centre. (Advice - use a proper camera to read it, not a phone!)
Subtract the MTPLM from the maximum axle load and you can then judge whether it is worth paying £60 or so for the upgrade against the extra load benefit. Indeed if the upgrade is less than about 40Kg the manufacturer may not even offer it, bit if it is nearer 100Kg ...........
(Our U4 Seville is 1203Kg 'empty' and plated 1326Kg MTPLM, but the gas locker figure is 1450Kg so for £66 we got an extra 124Kg which is a no-brainer.)
That’s a useful upgrade to your van. Was it ordered as new or was the van ore owned and you bought it later.
 
Oct 8, 2006
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We bought the caravan new and ordered it at the time, but despite that as far as Bailey are concerned it is a dealer upgrade and the dealer handles it all <after> delivery to them.
Some manufacturers (was it Swift?) will do the upgrade f.o.c. if it is on the original factory order.
ISTR back in 2012 when we bought our used Pegasus 462 from the same dealer they also did an upgrade for us so - presumably with a full service history - Bailey will permit the upgrade on a used van.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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Hello Woodentop,

As I pointed out earlier, the ability to have an weight upgrade (assuming the MTPLM is not already at Gross axle load) is dependant on the manufacturers upgrade policy. Some will not increase MTPLM on secondhand or older caravans, so the idea might be a non starter for Threehorsehead.
The sticker is a non starter, not mandatory and only a guideline. What counts on post 2012 trailers is the plate on the chassis / axle and the load index of the tyres. However it is always good advice to stay within the guidelines of the specifications on the sticker.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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The sticker is a non starter, not mandatory and only a guideline. What counts on post 2012 trailers is the plate on the chassis / axle and the load index of the tyres. However it is always good advice to stay within the guidelines of the specifications on the sticker.
Isn’t Woodentop referring to the makers weight label affixed in the locker not the door one. He also says you can get underneath and look at the axle too. Can’t really see what’s wrong.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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We bought the caravan new and ordered it at the time, but despite that as far as Bailey are concerned it is a dealer upgrade and the dealer handles it all <after> delivery to them.
Some manufacturers (was it Swift?) will do the upgrade f.o.c. if it is on the original factory order.
ISTR back in 2012 when we bought our used Pegasus 462 from the same dealer they also did an upgrade for us so - presumably with a full service history - Bailey will permit the upgrade on a used van.
Thanks it looks like Bailey have seen some sense in that for those with more experience or heavier tow cars a useful weight upgrade van be available for some models. Hope the axle bushes can take it 🤭
 
May 7, 2012
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The car also has a maximum weight and you already have the noseweight added when towing so loading everything you can in the car can be just as bad as loading everything in the car so you do need a balance between the two. JezzerB might be the exception using the Navarro which has a far higher payload available than your car will have.
 

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