Towing a trailer?!?

mikey72

Gloomendoom wrote: »

The Kia Sportage springs to mind. Although for the FWD, you would have to de-rate the trailer to 1200kg. The AWD models GVW max out at 2140kg.

That's the new model.

Some of the manufacturers maximum towing limit was less than 1000kg on the pre 2010 model though.

I've been through all this looking for a combination at around the same weight, and it's a real minefield with the same car having different numbers in different trim levels, let alone engine varients.

In the end I just did the towing myself, on a pre 97 licence.

Suarez

mikey72 wrote: »

Event trailer suggests it's a business, not a private trailer.
You may well need a tachograph.

The train weight doesn't exceed 3500kg so I wouldn't need one.

mikey72

Suarez wrote: »

The train weight doesn't exceed 3500kg so I wouldn't need one.

Ha, you're quite right, I was thinking of the van, which in the next sentence I siad was over the limit anyway.

My brain goes after a while.

marlot

mikey72 wrote: »

What's the weights on a suitable Mondeo?

Depends on the model, but around about 2000-2100Kg.

mikey72

marlot wrote: »

Depends on the model, but around about 2000-2100Kg.

A lot of the ones that can tow over 1300kgs are over 2200kg.

There aren't that many that fall into the low gross weight, high tow weight.

But if the trailer is replated, the op has a better chance.

marlot

OK, here's a real example.

2004 reg Mondeo, 2.0tdci 130bhp 6-speed engine, hatchback.

kerb weight = 1505kg
max gross weight = 2035kg
max train weight = 3750 Kg

I make that fine for towing even a 1400Kg trailer fully legally.

Trailer MAM (1400kg) < Car kerb weight (1505kg) [and also < unladen weight]
Car MAM (2035kg) + Trailer MAM (1400kg) < 3500kg

mikey72

marlot wrote: »

OK, here's a real example.

2004 reg Mondeo, 2.0tdci 130bhp 6-speed engine, hatchback.

kerb weight = 1505kg
max gross weight = 2035kg
max train weight = 3750 Kg

I make that fine for towing even a 1400Kg trailer fully legally.

Trailer MAM (1400kg) < Car kerb weight (1505kg) [and also < unladen weight]
Car MAM (2035kg) + Trailer MAM (1400kg) < 3500kg

Good towcar as well. OP wouldn't go wrong with that.

forgotmyname

Mondeo is about as big as you can go and still be able to tow a decent weight.

Double check the cars logbook and VIN plates before buying. Run the fuel down and
empty everything and get it weighed to make doubly sure of its weight.

They are usually a bit heavier than books say but there are always exceptions.

So if you weight it empty you know you have a safe margin with a bit of extra fuel and washer fluid etc. You can add about 8kg just in washer fluid if the car has the larger tank.

60kg for a tank of fuel?

Notmyrealname

forgotmyname wrote: »

Run the fuel down and
empty everything and get it weighed to make doubly sure of its weight.

DO NOT DO THIS. Do it with a full tank of fuel and the number of people and kit you're likely to put in the car on the trips. You will then know what the maximum load you can have on the trailer and be under the plated weight.

Doing it the way that forgotmyname says is how people end up overloading.

Find out where your nearest public weighbridge is. Ideally you want one that does per axle as not only do you need to keep below the gross train weight but you need to keep below the individual axle weights as well - it is possible to be under the gross weight but be overweight on an axle and the penalties are just the same as being over the gross weight. If the rear axle weight is near the limit you may find that the weight the trailer puts on the tow hitch could put it over.

VOSA have free weighbridges you can use such as the one at the Humber Bridge and on most docks. If its at a business they typically charge a couple of quid and will give you a printout.

Rover_Driver

Ideally do it both ways, forgotmyname's way will give the unladen weight, and notmyrealname's way will give the laden weight.

As long as the unladen weight is more than the MAM of the trailer, the laden weight does not exceed the MAM of the car, and with the MAM of both under 3500kg, then you can tow on a B licence.

If the figures for the weights above, and the manufacturers towing limit, are within those in the car handbook, you can use that as proof.