I have just ordered the above car and currently in the process of searching for a caravan, however have great difficulties in finding out what exactly the kerbweight is of this car it's published differently everywhere I look from 1454 kg upto 1640kgs! with the maximum towing capability being 1800kg. This obviously makes a big difference when choosing a caravan therefore can anybody help??
Volkswagen Passat Highline 2.0 TDI (140 bhps)
- Thread starter Janbo25
- Start date
My maximum weight is 1400 klg towing so i try to get it near as possible to 1324 klg, being the van is 1350 klg.
You will only find out what the kerbweight is by putting on a weighbridge, as all cars , even `identical` ones weigh different to one another.
I have a 2.0 TDI Sport Estate, which with me in it weighs in at 1720kgs. The sister vehicle, purchased on the same day, same spec, even same colour, weighs 30 kg less.
If its a saloon, I`d guess around 1600 - 1650 kgs, and work from there.
I have a 2.0 TDI Sport Estate, which with me in it weighs in at 1720kgs. The sister vehicle, purchased on the same day, same spec, even same colour, weighs 30 kg less.
If its a saloon, I`d guess around 1600 - 1650 kgs, and work from there.
Well a friend of ours with the exact same car who's only just got it took to the weighbridge with him in it and a full tank of fuel and it came in at 1640kgs but the the VW brochure says 1454kgs which weight do I use in order to ascertain the weight of caravan I can buy, we are really interested in the Sterling Europa 495 which as a MTPLM of 1480kgs??
- Mar 14, 2005
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It's quite safe to use the higher figure. I have yet to come across a car which doesn't weigh more than in the brochures. The manufacturers always quote conservative kerbweights. The main thing is that you must stay below the manufacturer's towing limits, though.
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Legal, yes, although the weight ratio will be over 85%. You'll be in a grey area there where it is impossible to give definitive advice. Some people tow quite happily at almost 100%, where it is permitted, others feel uneasy about it. It also depends on the combination. Some are more sensitive to instability than others although the Passat doesn't have a bad reputation in this respect. It really boils down to whether you feel comfortable with your particular outfit or not. I'm sorry I can't give you a black or white answer.
There is no way you would see a 30kg difference between two supposedly identical cars weighed on the same weighbridge on the same day in the same condition (fuel & fluid qtys etc). There are just not enough manufacturing variables (paints sealants etc)to make that much difference in a 1500kg car.
Either the cars were not the same spec, carrying different items, or the weighbridge was faulty. Was the repeatability of the result checked by weighing each car 3 times? What was the scale/capacity of the 'bridge?
I don't see 30kg variation when weighing 15tonne aircraft!!
Either the cars were not the same spec, carrying different items, or the weighbridge was faulty. Was the repeatability of the result checked by weighing each car 3 times? What was the scale/capacity of the 'bridge?
I don't see 30kg variation when weighing 15tonne aircraft!!
But then again I never said anything about weighing the cars on the same day, with the same fluids, and also didn`t specify if I`d had a cheese sandwich or a full-blown seven course meal.
The weighbridge used is certified by trading standards, and no I didn`t weigh each car three times,and whats more I don`t thing I know anyone sufficiently anal to do that anyway.
The weighbridge used is certified by trading standards, and no I didn`t weigh each car three times,and whats more I don`t thing I know anyone sufficiently anal to do that anyway.
Oops, sorry mods!
May have overstepped that one, but I think you get my drift, feel free to replace the offending word with something more agreeable which conveys a similar degree of incredulity.
May have overstepped that one, but I think you get my drift, feel free to replace the offending word with something more agreeable which conveys a similar degree of incredulity.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Manufacturing tolerances would account for up to 15kg difference between two identical vehicles under identical conditions (same relative humidity, etc.). However, it is very unlikely that the specification of two vehicles is absolutely identical. Invariably there are some differences.
When weighing caravans, there can be up to 15kg difference between measurement on a dry versus a wet day, due to moisture absorbtion in the insulation (this has nothing to do with damp). In the case of cars, the difference will probably be less because there is less moisture absorbing material, but there will nevertheless be some difference.
When weighing caravans, there can be up to 15kg difference between measurement on a dry versus a wet day, due to moisture absorbtion in the insulation (this has nothing to do with damp). In the case of cars, the difference will probably be less because there is less moisture absorbing material, but there will nevertheless be some difference.
Angus,
You made the point in the first place that you weighed 2 identical cars and they were 30kg different. I chose to offer suggestions why I don't believe the result. There's no reason to throw insults.
You made the point in the first place that you weighed 2 identical cars and they were 30kg different. I chose to offer suggestions why I don't believe the result. There's no reason to throw insults.
Hi,
I tow with a new passat 2.0sel dsg (170hp) oodles of power.The weights are misleading in brochure.I bought a dethleff camper with a weight upgrade which fully loaded is 1600.the car sits level with this,steams up hills in 6th,cruises at 65mph,but as with all fwd can be light on the front taking off on hill starts and the delay in auto engage in reverse means a mover is a must for shunting.I would say that most family sized vans are a good match to your new motor,
regards
andy
I tow with a new passat 2.0sel dsg (170hp) oodles of power.The weights are misleading in brochure.I bought a dethleff camper with a weight upgrade which fully loaded is 1600.the car sits level with this,steams up hills in 6th,cruises at 65mph,but as with all fwd can be light on the front taking off on hill starts and the delay in auto engage in reverse means a mover is a must for shunting.I would say that most family sized vans are a good match to your new motor,
regards
andy
Hi Andrew, I've got a 2.0 DSG 140 Touran, but haven't noticed any additional delay when selecting reverse. Since your car is new, perhaps you might want VW to "have a look at it".
Thanks for the info Andy, I am glad though because we have gone ahead with the purchase so will be starting towing it soon!
Andrew,
The Passat SEL 2.0 DSG weighs around 1530 kg (for the estate) according to the VW brochure. Your post seems to indicate that your van has a MTPLM of 1600 kg. Is this not too much (i.e. > 100%) ?
I know it's Dec and you posted in Aug but i thought i would put my views in.
The VW Highline 2.0 TDI 140 (yes i have one) max towing is 1800kg from VW. This is made up from 2 passengers in the car plus a bit thrown in the boot. With the car only weighing in around the 1450kg plus passengers plus boot stuff this is how VW say 1800kg max. Therefore recommended 85% of 1800kg is 1530kgs.
If you want to push the weight of the caravan up a bit more, i suggest you use caution in what you have in the car to what you have in the caravan. Nobody said it was easy towing safely.
The VW Highline 2.0 TDI 140 (yes i have one) max towing is 1800kg from VW. This is made up from 2 passengers in the car plus a bit thrown in the boot. With the car only weighing in around the 1450kg plus passengers plus boot stuff this is how VW say 1800kg max. Therefore recommended 85% of 1800kg is 1530kgs.
If you want to push the weight of the caravan up a bit more, i suggest you use caution in what you have in the car to what you have in the caravan. Nobody said it was easy towing safely.
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I think you've got things a bit confused here, Terry. You have calculated the 85% from the 1800kg towload limit specified by the car manufacturer instead of 85% of the kerbweight. If the kerbweight is 1450kg, then 85% is 1230kg. You could tow up to 1450kg without having to worry too much. The 1800kg limit is an absolute limit. Towing between kerbweight (1450kg) and the manufacturer's limit (1800kg) would theoretically be legal and OK for a low loader trailer, but not really to be recommended fot a trailer that is big and boxy like a caravan.
I have the VW Passat 140 Sport (March 2008). Taken it over a Weight bridge, with me 1/2 tank and a few bits and bobs in the boot. The car weight was 1580.
New to towing and just purchased a Bailey Ranger GT60 540/6 and all is fine....
Great Car Solo, Great towing .
New to towing and just purchased a Bailey Ranger GT60 540/6 and all is fine....
Great Car Solo, Great towing .
Janet i have just bought a Passat estate 2.TDI 2008 model 140HP
and went to local weigh bridge with half tank of fuel and no one in the vehicle it was 1540kg without a towbar so you can add 7KG for the towbar when fitted plus drivers weight to that also. but best to go to local weighbridge they should way it for free there must be a public w/bridge somewhere local so that the police can take any vehicle that they think is overweight to get it weighed it has to be a public one
hope this helps
Duggie p.s or a local haulage contractor might have one you can get the use of it only takes seconds just ask
and went to local weigh bridge with half tank of fuel and no one in the vehicle it was 1540kg without a towbar so you can add 7KG for the towbar when fitted plus drivers weight to that also. but best to go to local weighbridge they should way it for free there must be a public w/bridge somewhere local so that the police can take any vehicle that they think is overweight to get it weighed it has to be a public one
hope this helps
Duggie p.s or a local haulage contractor might have one you can get the use of it only takes seconds just ask
OK a bit out with calculating from the max towing as per VW however you have stated the english kerb weight and not the EU directive which states the weight of the car as it leaves the manufacturer with fuel tank at 90% and all operating fluids. It also adds the weight of driver and luggage which adds another 75kg to the kerb weight of the car. The english kerb weight definition is expected to gradually disappear which is logical as the weight of the driver needs to be added. Or have you seen any cars driving themselves lately with no driver?
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