Towing Limits - Advice Needed!

[Otismojo]

Hi

Thinking of buying a 2016 Coachman VIP 565 and we're towing with a 2016 Ford Kuga 2.0 TD (2WD).

The kerbweight on the Kuga is 1716kg giving an 85% match as 1459kg.

The MIRO of the van is 1476kg - 17kg more than the Kuga's 'limit'.

Q -

1) Is this a problem?
2) Will the addition of awning/accoutrements/wife's make-up bag affect these figures?

I'm a fairly seasoned tower with 12 years experience.

I'd appreciate your thoughts...

Mac

 

[Mel]

Sadly the MPTLM of the coachman is 1630 kg, so you will be towing at 95% unless you really do tow it empty aside from the items included in MIRO. However, you are a experienced tower, so it may not be an issue if the Kuga has enough grunt to get you up a hill.
Mel

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi we have a 2015 Kuga 2L TDI 2 wheel front wheel drive and Sprite Major 6 td as in my profile picture & is 1542'ish and it pulls it no bother so you should be fine even it is slightly heavier like Mel says , leave the wife's makeup and you'll definitely be fine !!

 

[otherclive]

And I thought you were going to say ‘leave the wife’

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi

Thinking of buying a 2016 Coachman VIP 565 and we're towing with a 2016 Ford Kuga 2.0 TD (2WD).

The kerbweight on the Kuga is 1716kg giving an 85% match as 1459kg.

The MIRO of the van is 1476kg - 17kg more than the Kuga's 'limit'.

Q -

1) Is this a problem?
2) Will the addition of awning/accoutrements/wife's make-up bag affect these figures?

I'm a fairly seasoned tower with 12 years experience.

I'd appreciate your thoughts...

Mac

As others have pointed out you have not appreciated the way the towing ratio is calculated which is Trailers MTPLM/ cars kerbweight. But that said as an experienced tower you should hopefully be aware if things start to become troublesome and know when to back off teh speed to keep things under control.

Not withstanding your 12 Years experience, It is possible you may have taken your test after Jan 1st 1997, when the licence categories changed. I have to point out that the proposed combination of car and caravan will most likely have a combined MAM (Cars GVW + Caravans MTPLM) that exceeds 3500kg, and if so you must have cat Be or B+E on your driving licence. If you don't have either of those entitlements you are not licenced to drive your outfit. You will need to the the category B extensions test (+E) to legally tow your caravan

 

[Hutch]

As the Prof says if your licence is ok the Kuga and Coachman should be fine , The 85% was a recommendation from an eternatiey ago and should be revised as should the Caravan and Motor home club. Outdated .

 

[Raywood]

The caravan to me is possibly a bit on the heavy side, but manageable. If you do buy it I would go steady on the first trip to see how it acts. The Kuga has a good reputation as a tow car though.

 

[Guzzilazz]

I tow the Bailey in my sig with the Kuga in my sig, and at 1532kg we are over the 85%. I haven't felt a single issue when towing, but then I have got ATC and Trailer Sway enabled when the caravan is plugged in...