Whats the truth !!!

[WAK]

On visiting our local dealers open day recently the new bailey louisianna caught my eye, when talking to one of the sales guys he asked me what vehicle i currently tow with which is a TD4 freelander his reply 'no problem it will tow anything', however, i disagreed so went over to the computer to check the info from Towsafe. The louisianna is'nt on the system yet so we used the nearset alternative which is the Wyoming. Now the information given back was everything was ok but i was 104% on the kerbweight. When i questioned this issue the salesman said that he had done the law and although you are over the kerbweight as long as you stay within the gross train weight (which i am) then you are ok.

Now i have been caravanning for 10 yrs and as far as the law goes i have always stuck by the 85% rule and are confident at 100% but would never go over. He tried to explain that although you are over in one aspect you are still in guidelines and the law with the Gross train weight.

This kept me thinking that this guy is either right or has no regard for other peoples lifes and safety to all road users.

I have been seeking advice on this matter all day and even the Road traffic act states the Trailer should not weigh more than the towing vehicle.

Please all information and advice will be appreciated.

Regards Wak.

 

[CliveV]

We had a similar experience with a Land Rover Salesman who convinced a friend of ours that her 1.8L petrol Freelander would tow her horse trailer.

Needless to say it didn't and she was most upset as an accident was the result.

Best Advice - be suspicious of all salesmen and check the data as Wak did.

 

[petercoachman]

hi wak a freind of mine has a bailey wyoming which he tow's very well with a frelander td4 he agrees that the it is a bit heavy and put the awning in the car but we have done manymile's together with no problems and are now looking forward to our trip to spain and portugal next year reguards peter ps yes the louisanne is super

 

[Icemaker]

Wak, a few months ago this very same topic was discussed on another thread and i was adviced by a police officer friend that i was not allowed to tow above 100% of my kerbweight. however a large amount of contributers replied saying that i had been adviced incorectly and that my alhambra could infact tow 2000 kgs legaly even though it only weighes 1760 kgs, i checked with the authorities and found that the others where corect i can legally tow nearly 1/4 ton more than my car weighs although i would never be so anti social and inconsiderate to do so with a caravan, its probably fine with a very low trailer but a caravan is just too big for my liking. so it would appear that as long as you do not exceed the max tow weight you are within the law, the kerbweight is just a guideline and the 85% rule is a safer side of the guideline.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Wak,

Icemaker has given you gist of the situation, whilst this does not apply in your case, as you passed your test in 1995, any one who passed after Jan 1997 is limited on thier standard licence to no more than 100% of teh kerbweight or the max permitted by the car manufacture.

It is of course your own choice, but you can tow anything upto the Maximum Technically Permisabe Towed Mass as set by the tow vehicle manufacturer. You of course have to watch all the other limits, but especially where you have a realatively light tow vehicle, and a heavy trailer, it is advisable to to watch the Gross Train weight, which can often be less than the sum of the maximum figures for the individual car and trailer.

The above also shows that the 85% is not a rule, but is only sensible guideline.

 

[jacky3]

in other words wak - you are legal,wouldn't do it myself,but if you are ok with it, its up to you.