Working out towing weight

[Colinf70]

How do I work the safe towing weight for mondeo 1.8 tdci 57 plate
gross car weight is 2155
gross train weight 3755
front axle max weight 1135
rear axle max weight 1065

would it be ok for lunar chateau 500 ?

 

[Sproket]

Colin.
When did you pass your driving test ??
As that will have a relevance to the max allowed gross train weight for your tow car.....

 

[Colinf70]

1987 I passed test

 

[Sproket]

Colin
What is the kerb weight of the Mondeo ?

 

[Colinf70]

I'm not sure where would I find it
It's not in hand book the weights I have posted was from a plate on inside drivers ddoor regards

 

[Colinf70]

Posted twice

 

[ProfJohnL]

There is no such thing as a "Safe" Towing weight for any car. Safety is down to much more than just a set of weights, but the caravan industry recommend that novice caravanners should not have a caravans maximum weight greater than about 85% of the tow-cars kerbweight.

This is all very imprecise, and for reasons that I won't expand here quite contentious, but the industry guidance is at least a starting point. It is always a good idea to keep a trailers weight as small as possible and never to exceed the tow-cars specified maximum towing weight.

it seems that the 2007-10 Ford Mondeo 1.8 tdci has a typical kerbweight of about 1500Kg. Based in the industry recommendation that means a novice caravanner should only contemplate a caravan with an MTPLM of 1275kg. This well within the specified capability of the car.

 

[Sproket]

I'm not sure where would I find it
It's not in hand book the weights I have posted was from a plate on inside drivers ddoor regards

Have a look at your V5 for ( mass in service )

 

[Colinf70]

Mass in service is 1546
regards

 

[Sproket]

Colin
Have you seen the van in question ?
Do you know what the MTPLM of the van is ?
Or
How old is it ?
How many berths has it got ?
How many axles has it got ?

 

[Colinf70]

Email from guy selling it
The caravan's MTPLM is 1280kg . It;'s mass in running order is 1040kg and the total user payload is 240kgs.
lunar chateaux 500

 

[Sproket]

Colin
Read post # 6, last paragraph

 

[Colinf70]

Ok thanks for your help

 

[RogerL]

So 1280 MTPLM and 1546 kerbweight gives a Towing Ratio of 83% which is fine, even for a beginner.