towing weights

[Claire_5122362]

Hi,

i am looking at changing my car and i am using the what tow car site to check the ratio's of cars i see.

i have a van with a miro of 1100KGS a nd mtplm of 1338kg.

it is saying on some cars with a max tow of 1300kg are ok with ratios of 85% or close to it depending on the kerb weight.

do i go with the miro or the mtplm.

if i dont use all of my available payload and come under 1300kg will we be ok.

thanks in advance

 

[Bazz1]

Claire, go for the mtplm. This is the maximum the c/van can weigh legally. The 85% is only a guide for people that are new to towing vans but is still a good benchmark to work around. Best of luck, Bazz.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Hi Claire,

The MIRO at 1100kgs is the weight of your van +/- 5% when it came from the manufactorers.

The MTPLM 1338kgs is the total weight that the caravan is allowed to be on the road legally.

So the diference between 1338 & 1100 = 238 the pay load. This is what you put into your van & includes your battery, bedding, clothes & food etc.

So you see that if you take your 85% fom the MIRO by the time you have loaded the van you will be getting close to 100% of the cars kerb weight.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Claire,

The MIRO at 1100kgs is the weight of your van +/- 5% when it came from the manufactorers.

The MTPLM 1338kgs is the total weight that the caravan is allowed to be on the road legally.

So the diference between 1338 & 1100 = 238 the pay load. This is what you put into your van & includes your battery, bedding, clothes & food etc.

So you see that if you take your 85% fom the MIRO by the time you have loaded the van you will be getting close to 100% of the cars kerb weight.

Hello Claire,

Bazz & Graham have given the essential points,

There are some other aspects that you should bear in mind.

Firstly, never assume that the data you get from these third party forum sites is 100% copper bottomed accurate, always check the details of your car and caravan with the hand books, or the dealers or manufactures.

Now you don't specify you car, so you must check what it is allowed to tow, It is not simply based on the weight of the car. Some cars are allowed to tow much less than their own weight and others can tow significantly more. So it is important to check the details.

Graham has pointed out that your present choice will leave you with a payload of 238Kg. He also points out this must accommodate every thing you put in the caravan, I must stress it does mean everything so don't forget things like the gas bottles, the wedges for levelling the caravan wheels, water in the heater or carriers, awning and poles etc.

Like Graham I suspect that the this is all a bit too close the limits for comfort.

Good towing is not just down to the weight ratio's it is just as important to load and distribute the weight properly. The vehicles must be good mechanical order, and also the driver must take extra care to allow for the reduced performance, additional length and weight, and the impatients of other road users.