1.2 Punto towing 700KG trailer tent?

olibrofiz

As title, I have a 1.2 Punto and am on the verge of buying a trailer tent (it is 700kg weight & braked).

I passed my driving test in 1982.

I've looked at a website that quotes weights etc and it says my Punto has a kerb weight of 875, and an 85% weight of 743. But this has left me scratching my head - does the 85% weight mean I can tow something up to that weight? Would it be safe to tow a trailer tent? (Nothing would be added to the 700kg weight, all stuff would go in the car)

Advice much appreciated, many thanks.

Delivery_Driver

I saw your thread title and could only think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPnwi0nb2Q

Rolandtheroadie

The 85% is a well researched guideline only, it's not a legal limit.

You need to find out what your car can legally tow, probably from the owners handbook.
Any sites I've seen suggests a 1.2 can legally tow 1000kg braked or 400kg unbraked.

Check here for your exact model http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/find-a-car/ and look up your car. Then select facts and figures.

verityboo

There are 8valve and 16 valve versions of the 1.2 punto and even the most powerful one would stuggle. Thats a lot of weight for the 1.2 engine to pull and even if you put other equipment in the car the engine still has to pull it.

Personally I would look to change the Punto for something with a bit more grunt. You don't say what age the Punto is but they tend to be popular second hand. If you don't already have a tow bar you could also search for a car which already has one and so save in that way

verityboo

Found some data here for the Punto

mikey72

Seems ok.
A bit underpowered, but within spec for the car.

Think of it as six fat blokes.

verityboo

As well as the weight you can tow you need to consider the weight of the car. The handbook should tell you the weight of the car empty and maximum permitted gross weight - by taking one from the other will give you the amount you have to play with for the weight of all the people in it, your luggage but also the weight pushing down on the tow bar which could be 50 to 75 kg. With 2 average adults and not too much luggage you might be okay

olibrofiz

Delivery_Driver wrote: »

I saw your thread title and could only think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPnwi0nb2Q

:rotfl: avoid steep hills then

'six fat blokes' - again :rotfl:

Thank you.

Just looking in the handbook says maximum tow load with a trailer & brakes is 1000, so, even if I may have trouble with steep hills, do-able!!

Want to take advantage of the great British weather this year and go luxury camping More suitable car next year!

olibrofiz

verityboo wrote: »

As well as the weight you can tow you need to consider the weight of the car. The handbook should tell you the weight of the car empty and maximum permitted gross weight - by taking one from the other will give you the amount you have to play with for the weight of all the people in it, your luggage but also the weight pushing down on the tow bar which could be 50 to 75 kg. With 2 average adults and not too much luggage you might be okay

3 slim adults, 2 small dogs, dog crate, portaloo - the bare essentials

Delivery_Driver

Watch out for it overheating too, will put a lot more strain on the cooling system.Not to mention the clutch and brakes.

Mankysteve

You can get ultra light trailer tents, but a 1.2 will be struggle with anything as heavy as 700kg, my 1.2 corsa struggles with five people in it.