How Much Weight Can My Car Tow?

Mankysteve

or a smart car.

frankie

You need to get the specs of your car to find out it's kerb weight. Or you could take it to a public weighbridge once you take out all your bits of non fixed kit.

Then the caravan club recommendations are that it is safe to tow 85% of that weight for new towers, experienced towers may manage more than that. Never tow more than 100% of kerb weight even if your handbook says that the car can.

These recommendations then need to matched with the car's specified towing limits. The car's towing limits over ride the recommendations, except never tow over 100% kerbweight.

You should also check the car's nose weight limit, on a 'standard' car this is likely to be around 75kg. The nose weight limit must not be exceeded. Shuffling round your van's contents can achieve a lower weight at the front. Loading the van correctly is vital in any case.

Hope this helps.

flyingscotno1

Don't most cars have a small plate somewhere inside showing model codes and weight/towing information- I know my car has?

banger9365

here you go http://www.caravantrekker.nl/whattowcar/basic_index.php

marlot

scotsman4th wrote: »

The whattowcar site is based on your cars kerbweight i think, not the legal weight you can tow.

The legal max towing limit is in there, but you do have to search a bit for it

I put in my car, with a random caravan and it included: "Actual laden caravan weight1193 kg (car towing limit is 2800 kg)"

Rolandtheroadie

Sorry, just seen all the 85% [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL] again and binned it.

catflea

banger9365 wrote: »

here you go http://www.caravantrekker.nl/whattowcar/basic_index.php

That website is no good, it won't tell me what I can tow with my Koenigsegg CC X :rotfl:

anewman

We won't judge you based on the car you drive (not much anyway) and unless it was spectacularly rare we wouldn't be able to track you down

DaveF327

When you've found out all about the "noseweight" for your car and the maximum weight your car is capable of towing, remember also the legal implications.

Your driving licence must show category B+E if you're to tow any trailer over 750kg, unless the combined MAM (maximum authorised mass) of both car and trailer combined is less than 3.5 tonnes and the trailer's MAM does not exceed the unladen weight of the car.

In fact, better to read this: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

Cool_Username

Right I've been gone since 1 today - the original poster still hasn't owned up to what car he owns then?