Which would be best for me?

[colin-yorkshire1]

So ,as the Prof doesn't like suspension aids can we reasonably expect a fully laden vehicle with say five adults, luggage etc to still pull a caravan where we have added part of the MTPLM to the vehicle load rather than the towed load??

hi DD.
in a word "YES" providing the 5 adults luggage and trailer nose weight does not exeed the vehicles plated axel weights.
although I suspect in your senario that the rear axel weight would be too high.

as an aside the noseweight maximum on the cars towbar is set at a predetermined figure, and most manufacturers recommend using the highest possible without going over. this is the same figure for all trailers wether the van/boat/ horse box, weighes 500kg or 2000kg. the axel load would be the same,

 

[Lutz]

To put it plain words, if a car is fully loaded up to its max GVW limit before hitching up the caravan, then it will be overloaded when the caravan is attached.