Yeti weights query

[Alistair_5088461]

Can someone tell me if towing a caravan when exceeding the 100% 'rule' is legal?

According to the Skoda website and brochure the kerbweight of the Yeti model I'm looking at (2.0 TDi 170bhp) is 1535 kg.

The maximum braked towing weight is 2000kg. If towing a 'van of this weight it would be way over 100%!!

I would actually be towing a Bailey California which is 1495kg MTPLM, so would be around 97%, but if I towed to Skoda's maximum the figure is around 130%!!! Is this legal??

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Alistair,

What is legal depends on two things

Firstly your licence. If you only have categories B (ie. not BE or B+E) then you are limited to a trailer with a MAM (maximum authorised Mass)that does not exceed the unladen weight of the car you are driving.(ie. 100%)unless the car manufacture sets a lower limit

secondly, Licence issues aside, the vehicle manufacture sets a maximum towing limit, in this case you quote 2000Kg. The car can legally tow a trailer up to the limit set by the manufacture.

Whether it is wise to tow up to that sort of limit is a different matter, and depends on a lot of other factors.

In the context of the car 100% is definitely not a rule, nor is the oft quoted 85% They are only guidelines as to what represents good practice, and for what I hope are obvious reasons it is always better to keep a trailer as light as possible.

I hope this helps

 

[Zafiral]

Alistair

When Practical Caravan tested a 140bhp Yeti they added 75kg to the Skodas quoted kerb weight presumably because the Skoda figure does not include a driver.

They had the 140 bhp model weighing in at 1610 kg from memory.

As I am looking at a Yeti to tow a 1483kg Pageant Bretagne and I had the ratio at 92%.

I think there is an error in the brochure as the brochure states 2000kg tow weight for the 140bhp model, yet the difference in the two big figures on the weight plate is 1600kg. I have not seen a 170bhp model in the flesh, and after an expensive mistake with a Renault, I only trust the car's weight plate.