Vauxhall Antara

[MrBell]

As for MTPLM I keep forgetting that there is no statutory law regarding MTPLM and it is the axle weights that count,

Hello Surfer,

Ignore MTPLM/MAM/GVW at your peril.

Lutz has explained at some length that where caravans are concerned the weight limits given by the caravan manufacture will over-ride the chassis manufactures limits.

Basically MTPLM can be ignored as it is only a guideline like the 85% rule. VOSA would never use that to define whether you are legal and not over weight. They would check the plate on the axle! If you are exceeding the weight on your axle you are in deep poo poo! As it turns out the Antara is no good for us, but that is covered in a seperate post!

All these weights and be so confusing, it's easier to get the b+e!
My Antara is just brill, really liking the drive, hopefully ill pass my test then I can tow my caravan.

 

[Lutz]

Basically MTPLM can be ignored as it is only a guideline like the 85% rule. VOSA would never use that to define whether you are legal and not over weight. They would check the plate on the axle! If you are exceeding the weight on your axle you are in deep poo poo! As it turns out the Antara is no good for us, but that is covered in a seperate post!

Unlike the 85% 'rule' which will not be found in any regulations, they most certainly do reference the MTPLM and VOSA would have every reason to use the data specified by the manufacturer to determine whether your outift is overweight or not.
They will not check the plate on the axle but the plate that the caravan manufacturer attached. As I have tried to explain before, the caravan can be deemed to be overweight even if the axle load limit is not exceeded.

 

[mat1]

Antara off road driving experience organised by ADAC
Standard vehicle on road tyres.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqGr2fnDUA
It should manage a caravan off a wet grass pitch.

Mat

 

[Surfer]

Basically MTPLM can be ignored as it is only a guideline like the 85% rule. VOSA would never use that to define whether you are legal and not over weight. They would check the plate on the axle! If you are exceeding the weight on your axle you are in deep poo poo! As it turns out the Antara is no good for us, but that is covered in a seperate post!

Unlike the 85% 'rule' which will not be found in any regulations, they most certainly do reference the MTPLM and VOSA would have every reason to use the data specified by the manufacturer to determine whether your outift is overweight or not.
They will not check the plate on the axle but the plate that the caravan manufacturer attached. As I have tried to explain before, the caravan can be deemed to be overweight even if the axle load limit is not exceeded.

Please read my post regarding VOSA and weights as it disagrees with what you state above. MTPLM has NO status in law. It is the manufacturer's recommendation.

Anyway as it stands the Antara is not suitable for us so maybe a Ford Galaxy?

 

[Parksy]

From what I've been able to find out from the internet the limit set by the manufacturer is the legal limit but it would be very unwise to disregard the information shown on a caravan manufacturers plate.
To obtain a successful prosecution police must weigh a unit that they suspect of being overloaded on a weighbridge but this does not prevent police who don't know the law from issuing either a warning or a fixed penalty based on MTPLM.
There are documented cases of traffic police trying to prosecute caravanners who were over the 85% guideline in the past.
Even if you were able to convince traffic officers at the roadside that you are technically within the limits there's a better than evens chance that the towing vehicle and caravan will be thoroughly inspected to determine if any offences are being committed if the traffic officers suspect that you are overloaded.
Be prepared to argue your case in court or pay for a solicitor if necessary.

 

[Lutz]

Please read my post regarding VOSA and weights as it disagrees with what you state above. MTPLM has NO status in law. It is the manufacturer's recommendation.

I would refer you to my reply to another thread in this forum:
Response to question of MTPLM on trailers

 

[mat1]

Ordered my second new antara today.
2.2 auto exclusive AWD in black
Fixed swan neck towball and 13 pin electrics fitted before delivery at £332.50
Like the others i took advantage of the finance offers and partners discount.
Got a bit more as a returning customer too !
Hope it is as good, if not better than the one i have had since new, for the past 3 years.
They also agreed to exchange the puncture kit for a full sized spare.

Just got to wait until October.

Mat

 

[MrBell]

That sounds like you got a good deal! Mine is the manual version, I'm getting a tow bar fitted next weekend, going for a fixed tow bar with twin electrics. What colour did you get? I'm looking for a spare wheel for mine, I didn't want to spend £300 for the kit!
Been surfing the net and not getting any joy!

 

[mat1]

I'm looking for a spare wheel for mine, I didn't want to spend £300 for the kit!
Been surfing the net and not getting any joy!

Mr Bell
Alimac has just got one, from where i don't know, ask him, he has been replying to his topic.
Getting mine from the dealer as part of the deal.

Mat

 

[Alimac1]

HI

re spare wheel, got mine on ebay, Chevrolet captiva alloys also fit, I was not too worried about same pattern as only a spare. 1st Choice Car Spares, online breakers search also were able to supply a breakers details who had wheel to fit.

Ali

 

[Surfer]

Can any Antara owner confirm the maximum train weight of the vehicle please? It should be on the VIN plate.

 

[MrBell]

The Vin plate show 4505kg , the maximum towing weight is 2k and the cars maximium weight is 2505kg. The car also has an 80kg nose weight. (i only know all this as i did my research before i bought mine) These figures are for the 4x4 version, i dont know what the 2wd version weights are.
I havent had a chance to tow with mine yet as i need to do my B+E test, (failed first time but im appealing aginst the decision, long story!)

 

[Lutz]

The maximum train weight depends on which engine is fitted.
I don't know the train weights, but the maximum permissible towloads are as follows (details taken from the manufacturer's type approval data):
138PS Z24SED (petrol) and 165PS LE5 (petrol) engines, in both cases both manual and automatic, 1500kg
255PS LF1 (petrol) engine and 148PS Z20S (diesel) automatic, Z22D1 (diesel) automatic, 1700kg
all other combinations, 2000kg
The above is a complete list for all markets, worldwide. Some variants may not be available in the UK.

 

[Surfer]

The Vin plate show 4505kg , the maximum towing weight is 2k and the cars maximium weight is 2505kg. The car also has an 80kg nose weight. (i only know all this as i did my research before i bought mine) These figures are for the 4x4 version, i dont know what the 2wd version weights are.
I havent had a chance to tow with mine yet as i need to do my B+E test, (failed first time but im appealing aginst the decision, long story!)

Thanks. I should have specified maximum gross train weight for the automatic. We are quite interested in the Antara as it is nice to drive but the big plus is the electronic hand brake as arthritis can be painful when pulling up the handbrake.
Although our caravan has a MTPLM of 1800kg, 100kg more than the maximum towing weight, if we move stuff from the caravan reducing the MTPLm of the caravan to under 1700kg, theoretically we should be okay as long as we do not exceed the maximum gross train weight of the vehicle.
Either that or we need to look at getting a 3 year old Sorento auto with less than 36,000 miles on the clock and live with the handbrake issue.

 

[Lutz]

You would need to say which engine option you are looking at. The kerbweight of an Antara is between 1730 and 1936kg and its max. GVW between 2183 and 2505, giving you a payload of between 453 and 569kg (always including the noseweight, of course).

 

[ProfJohnL]

Although our caravan has a MTPLM of 1800kg, 100kg more than the maximum towing weight, if we move stuff from the caravan reducing the MTPLm of the caravan to under 1700kg, theoretically we should be okay as long as we do not exceed the maximum gross train weight of the vehicle.

The MTPLM of a trailer is a fixed value and does not change regardless of how you load it. Simply moving paylaod from the caravan to the car does not reduce the caravans MTPLM, it only changes its laden weight. In terms of towing thats fine, as its the actual weight the car tows that counts.

 

[Surfer]

You would need to say which engine option you are looking at. The kerbweight of an Antara is between 1730 and 1936kg and its max. GVW between 2183 and 2505, giving you a payload of between 453 and 569kg (always including the noseweight, of course).

The automatic 4 x 4 has only two engines both being 2.2 diesels and the one we are looking at has a bhp of 184 with a torque fo 295lb.

 

[mat1]

My 2009 auto

GTW 4250
GVW 2505

Mat

 

[Surfer]

Thanks again Mat.

 

[MrBell]

You would need to say which engine option you are looking at. The kerbweight of an Antara is between 1730 and 1936kg and its max. GVW between 2183 and 2505, giving you a payload of between 453 and 569kg (always including the noseweight, of course).

Been looking at weights for my car and seems to be heavy, I was looking at the vauxhall website and it's states 2345kg for my car, even if you add 80kg then I would be able to tow my caravan on B licence but vauxhall seems to also add 80kg for a driver.
I have spoken to vauxhall customer service and they confirmed my car weight is 2345kg but I stated my v5 states differently so I am waiting for a reply on what my car weight is.

 

[mat1]

Mr Bell

What does the "mass in service" weight on your V5 state ?
This is the only reliable weight you can have for YOUR specific car, regardless of what Vauxhall or any other person or document say.

Mat

 

[MrBell]

Mr Bell

What does the "mass in service" weight on your V5 state ?
This is the only reliable weight you can have for YOUR specific car, regardless of what Vauxhall or any other person or document say.

Mat

My mass in service is 1911kg so is that the unladen weight? I really need to know what my full laden weight is so I can see if I am in my licence limits.

 

[mat1]

Mr Bell
Your car when it left the factory weighed 1911kg.
This is the most accurate weight figure for your car.
There are so many different terms for different weights but mass in service is the nearest to kerb weight.
What is your understanding of what you want to know " full laden weight"
I guess you mean "gross vehicle weight", this you can find on the VIN plate under the bonnet, it will be around the 2500kg mark.

The other three weights on the plate will be max weight on front axle, max weight on rear axle and the larger figure around the 4000kg mark, is the gross train weight, this being the maximum weight of your car and any trailer, and or load it carries and tows.

Mat

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mr Bell

Yes the MIS figure is a close equivelent to the kerbweight.
You tell us in an earlier post that Vauxhall have confirmed your cars Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW and MAM) is 2345.
If you only have a B entitlment then you are limited to a combined MAM not exceeding 3500Kg which means if the cars MAM is 2345, then the caravans MAM cannot exceed 3500 -2345 = 1155Kg
Do remember the licence requirement is based on the MAM (which is the heaviest the vehicle is designed to be) not on what it actually weighs.

There is a small possibility you could add a few Kg to the caravan figure if you know exacatly what you your nose weight is, but it does rely on accurate assement of your nose weight and understanding the detail of the law. If your not sure about this its best left alone.

 

[MrBell]

Hello Mr Bell

Yes the MIS figure is a close equivelent to the kerbweight.
You tell us in an earlier post that Vauxhall have confirmed your cars Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW and MAM) is 2345.
If you only have a B entitlment then you are limited to a combined MAM not exceeding 3500Kg which means if the cars MAM is 2345, then the caravans MAM cannot exceed 3500 -2345 = 1155Kg
Do remember the licence requirement is based on the MAM (which is the heaviest the vehicle is designed to be) not on what it actually weighs.

There is a small possibility you could add a few Kg to the caravan figure if you know exacatly what you your nose weight is, but it does rely on accurate assement of your nose weight and understanding the detail of the law. If your not sure about this its best left alone.

The problem I have is the V5 states different which I don't understand? I had my test for the second time today but I failed again, I shouldn't really have done the test today as I am loaded with cold. Anyway after the test I decided I wanted to know if I have my figures correct so I rang vauxhall up and they confirmed the car should weigh 2345kg, now my V5 says 2505? and this is also on the sticker on the drivers door. So I did a few calculations and I think my car does weigh 2345kg but vauxhall have added 80kg nose weight and 80kg for a driver so this would give me the overall weight!
Domyou think I have my calculations correct?