1.2 Punto towing 700KG trailer tent?

Caroline_a

I had a 1.2 Punto some years ago, it struggled to get up any hills with a couple of adults in it. Wouldn't dare tow anything with it if I were you, unless your passengers like pushing!

forgotmyname

Think your figures are messed up.

GTW or MTW is the total weight of the car full of luggage and the gross weight of a trailer combined. G=gross M=max

GVW is the gross vehicle weight. Car+Fuel+People+Luggage.

When towing you want to know the cars kerbweight. Preferably empty kerbweight. Your trailer should be less than that.

Add people and luggage and make sure the car is below the GVW

Then add the trailer and make sure everything is below the GTW

Then you also need to make sure the trailers own gross laden weight is not exceeded.

And finally the weight the hitch puts on the towball should be less than the manufacturers total. Generally the heavier that is the more stable it tows.

verityboo

forgotmyname wrote: »

Think your figures are messed up.

GTW or MTW is the total weight of the car full of luggage and the gross weight of a trailer combined. G=gross M=max

GVW is the gross vehicle weight. Car+Fuel+People+Luggage.

When towing you want to know the cars kerbweight. Preferably empty kerbweight. Your trailer should be less than that.

Add people and luggage and make sure the car is below the GVW

Then add the trailer and make sure everything is below the GTW

Then you also need to make sure the trailers own gross laden weight is not exceeded.

And finally the weight the hitch puts on the towball should be less than the manufacturers total. Generally the heavier that is the more stable it tows.

When towing, the weight the tow hitch puts on the towball (approx 50 to 75kg) needs to be taken into account when calculating the GVW and checking that the manufacturers maximum is not exceeded - or just buy a big old Volvo estate and not worry

Premier_2

I think the data should be

Kerb = 875kg
GVM = 1385kg

Max towing weight (braked) 1000 kg
Max towing weight (unbraked) 400 kg

What you still need is the GTM as the total of the car & the trailer (loaded) must not exceed this.

forgotmyname

Yeah my car is one that cannot load to its limit and still tow its max weight.

Grosse vehicle weight + max tow weight exceeds the gross train weight by about 300kg.

olibrofiz

Thank you everyone - the youtube clip is replaying and replaying in my mind - am looking at changing my car pdq!

Looking at 2000 ish VW Golf 1.6 - bit of research would suggest that's better?

forgotmyname

Have you checked that its really 700kg gross laden weight and not more?

Check the chassis plate on the trailer.

Golf is approx 100kg heavier and will have 1/3rd more power.

If better is adequate then its better

I like a bit of power when towing.

olibrofiz

OMG - suggestions please as to what car would be best to tow a 700kg trailer

I thought a 1.6 Golf would be ok as it has 100 bhp (rather than 68 for the Punto) and a higher towing weight. 2.0 be better then?

Very old volvo estate?

mikey72

It's only a 700kg trailer tent, not a twin axle caravan. I've towed with a 1.3 Nova. Probably at least 500kgs unbraked, it was fine.I've towed a car on a trailer with a 1.8 Zafira. You wouldn't even know it was there.For a picture of what it will be like, imagine towing another Punto. That's about the extra 700kg trailer and 400kg load in the boot. I've towed cars miles on ropes over the years, and again, not had difficulty.

mikey72

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhk3VRtU5Dk
that'll do you.