Looking for a tow car, was looking at the Citroen c8, peugoet 807, fiat ulysse offerings. In essence the same vehicle, yet the Citroen and peugeot can tow my 1500kg max bustner, yet the fiat can only tow 1385kg! which is still some 50 kg more than what the burstner weighs. so would it be legal to tow with the Fiat?or do you have to have a vehicle that can tow your caravans maximum weight, rather than its normal weight.
towing legality.
- Thread starter g_374369443
- Start date
Hello G
Technically you can tow a trailer of real weight up to the maximum stated by the vehicle manufacture. In practice though it is sensible to keep the trailer as low as possible compared to the weight of the tug.
The only variation to this is if your driving licence limits you to a lower cat B only which limits a trailer weight to the same as the tugs kerbweight (100%) with a combined MTPLM of both tug and trailer not exceeding 3500Kg.
The famous towing ratios are always calculated for the worst possible scenario, which is the tugs kerb weight, and the trailers maximum designed weight, and the UK caravanning organisations suggest you should keep the ratio to no more than 85%
Technically you can tow a trailer of real weight up to the maximum stated by the vehicle manufacture. In practice though it is sensible to keep the trailer as low as possible compared to the weight of the tug.
The only variation to this is if your driving licence limits you to a lower cat B only which limits a trailer weight to the same as the tugs kerbweight (100%) with a combined MTPLM of both tug and trailer not exceeding 3500Kg.
The famous towing ratios are always calculated for the worst possible scenario, which is the tugs kerb weight, and the trailers maximum designed weight, and the UK caravanning organisations suggest you should keep the ratio to no more than 85%
I would just like to add that you do not have to have a towcar that is legally capable of towing the maximum laden weight of the trailer (caravan). As John says, it's the actual weight that counts. From experience, however, most people get a big (and unpleasant) surprise to see how quickly the max. permissible weight is achieved once everything is on board. Therefore, unless you are absolutely sure that your are always going to be towing the caravan with very little payload, it's risky to limit yourself to a lower weight than its MTPLM.
Having done a search of the net, it seems, Fiat are more than happy to issue a note stating that it can tow 1700kg!although ever mag says 1375! It it strange as they , citroen/peugeot and fiat are the same vehicle, although I do recall something similar concerning the galaxy at one time having a much lower towing weight than the seat and vw variants, back in 2002.
very strange.
very strange.
I think you'll find that the 1375kg is based on an 85% weight ratio and does not reflect the actual car manufacturer's towload limit, even for the Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807. The 2.0 16V Citroen also has a 1700kg limit (other variants except the 2.0 16V automatic are even higher). The same applies basically also to the Peugeot, although its 2.0 16V version has a 1750kg limit.
Each car manufacturer has his own test procedure for determining the towload limit and some are more conservative than others. That explains the difference between two basically similar models.
Each car manufacturer has his own test procedure for determining the towload limit and some are more conservative than others. That explains the difference between two basically similar models.
Thanks Lutz, I do agree with you, but all the UK sites, whatcar, parkers guide ect ect state the 1375kg. Which when you are looking at cars to buy,is something you would take as correct!
On the other hand, what to towcar site states 1700kg. confusing really, that is why I asked concerning the legality,if it was really only 1375kg, and my van weighs 1350kg ready to tow.
On the other hand, what to towcar site states 1700kg. confusing really, that is why I asked concerning the legality,if it was really only 1375kg, and my van weighs 1350kg ready to tow.
Hi g
I tow a Lunar Delta t/a with the Citroen C8 2.0 ltr diesel tows it like a dream you dont even know its on ,i had to upgrade the car from a Mondeo TDCI 130 BHP ,well worth the extra expense even if it is a Citroen.Joking aside it is an excellent towcar
Tom
I tow a Lunar Delta t/a with the Citroen C8 2.0 ltr diesel tows it like a dream you dont even know its on ,i had to upgrade the car from a Mondeo TDCI 130 BHP ,well worth the extra expense even if it is a Citroen.Joking aside it is an excellent towcar
Tom
Tom,
Can you honestly say that your tow car does not change its dynamices when you tow a caravan?
Can you honestly say that your tow car does not change its dynamices when you tow a caravan?
"Fiat are more than happy to issue a note stating that it can tow 1700kg!"
You'll need more than a note.(at least if I stop you)
The only way to get a vehicle weight upgraded, is to change the Manufacturers Weight Plate, and fix it next to the original, scoring the old one but leaving it legible.
When you are prosecuted it is for "Exceeding the manufacturers plated (design) weight" whether it be axle weight, gross vehicle weight, ot train weight.
You may also have to inform the DVLA of the change.
Paul.
You'll need more than a note.(at least if I stop you)
The only way to get a vehicle weight upgraded, is to change the Manufacturers Weight Plate, and fix it next to the original, scoring the old one but leaving it legible.
When you are prosecuted it is for "Exceeding the manufacturers plated (design) weight" whether it be axle weight, gross vehicle weight, ot train weight.
You may also have to inform the DVLA of the change.
Paul.
To John L
Read into my post wot u like i was only trying to help a fellow caravanner, all i have done is make a comment about a car ,read what it says .You want to pick holes in it thats your problem .
Tom
Read into my post wot u like i was only trying to help a fellow caravanner, all i have done is make a comment about a car ,read what it says .You want to pick holes in it thats your problem .
Tom
Tom
It would be a foolish man who said the dynamics of a car are no different when solo or towing. However I take on board your comment may more have been a comparison between the Mondeo and Citroen. And yes the difference in feel would be quite distinct, "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT'S ON".
I'd say the same when I compare my Sorento to the Audi and Laguna before, but the fact remains the dynamics will be different when solo from towing, without question. Braking distances etc etc.
Thus John L is correct in his statements because we don't want g getting the wrong end of the stick.
Cheers
Alan
It would be a foolish man who said the dynamics of a car are no different when solo or towing. However I take on board your comment may more have been a comparison between the Mondeo and Citroen. And yes the difference in feel would be quite distinct, "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT'S ON".
I'd say the same when I compare my Sorento to the Audi and Laguna before, but the fact remains the dynamics will be different when solo from towing, without question. Braking distances etc etc.
Thus John L is correct in his statements because we don't want g getting the wrong end of the stick.
Cheers
Alan
No need for a note in this case. The standard weight plate should already allow 1700kg. However, a manufacturer may issue a note allowing a higher towload than his normal spec so long as the gross train weight is not exceeded. (Raising the gross train weight would require a new plate and possibly notification of the DVLA).
Alan i credit every one with a brain to say you dont know its on should be taken a very large pinch of salt ,even someone who has never towed ,will find out very soon that a towing vehicles characteristics change enormously the second you try to pull away.like i said a very large pinch of salt.
Tom
Tom
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