Fitting a tow bar to a Honda S2000

marlot

When I parked my MX-5 in front of my caravan (at a caravan site), lots of people went out of their way to check whether it really was hitched up.

But, just as my MX-5 isn't homologated for towing, neither is an S2000. You might get a towbar from the USA, but there's no way a UK insurer would touch it, and you can't pass an MOT with it fitted.

DoctorFoster

AdrianC wrote: »

Not quite. It means the GTW - if you get an independently type-approved bar to fit - is the same as the GVW.

GTW do you mean gross train weight?

If so that's vehicle and trailer.

GVW gross vehicle weight? That's everything the vehicle itself can weight with nothing attached.

So if you're saying get a tow bar fitted to a car without a train weight specified by the manufacturer then the train weight is the gross vehicle weight you're wrong.

If the gross weight of the car is 1750kg and it weighs that with you and your mates in without a specified train weight a trailer would put the vehicle overweight wouldn't it.

You can be done for excess weight in a car but it is classed as dangerous so attracts points as well as a fine.

AdrianC

DoctorFoster wrote: »

If the gross weight of the car is 1750kg and it weighs that with you and your mates in without a specified train weight a trailer would put the vehicle overweight wouldn't it.

Of course. Just as it would be if you put a large box of teabags on the lap of one of the passengers, taking the weight over the GVW.

But if the GVW is 1750kg, and the actual kerb weight with the load that's in it is 1500kg, then you have another 250kg available to drag along behind you. Just the same as if you/mates/car were at the GVW but the GTW was 2000kg.

DoctorFoster

AdrianC wrote: »

Of course. Just as it would be if you put a large box of teabags on the lap of one of the passengers, taking the weight over the GVW.

But if the GVW is 1750kg, and the actual kerb weight with the load that's in it is 1500kg, then you have another 250kg available to drag along behind you. Just the same as if you/mates/car were at the GVW but the GTW was 2000kg.

Cars only have four specified weights

Front axel
Rear axel
Gross weight
Train weight

If there is no train weight specified what can it tow?

The s2000 has a gross vehicle weight of 1535kg and an unladen weight of 1260kg. That leaves 275kg

Given it has a 50 litre fuel tank taking it down to 225kg. Add two passengers at 80kg can you find the op a 65kg caravan?

Do you still maintain it can tow?

AdrianC

DoctorFoster wrote: »

Cars only have four specified weights

Front axel
Rear axel
Gross weight
Train weight

Right. And what do those four weights MEAN?

Front axle - max load on the front axle.
Rear axle - max load on the rear axle.
Gross weight - max on the vehicle in the vehicle itself
Train weight - max load of vehicle plus trailer.

No GTW shown, then what else can it be but the same as the GVW? It can't possibly be lower. But it isn't higher.

The s2000 has a gross vehicle weight of 1535kg and an unladen weight of 1260kg. That leaves 275kg

Given it has a 50 litre fuel tank taking it down to 225kg.

Add two passengers at 80kg can you find the op a 65kg caravan?

Just a couple of pojnts...

Firstly, who said anything about only towing caravans? The OP certainly didn't. He said a trailer and "maybe" a "mobile home". And, yes, I can most certainly find the OP a <65kg trailer. Excuse me whilst I just pop out to the shed... I've not weighed it, but I'd say my little singlewheel comes in at about 20, mebbe 25kg. OK, I need to build a body on it, but if we're looking at something to take (say) a spare set of rims & tyres for a track day, that should be easily doable. If we're looking for a little box for camping gear or junk to the tip, no problem whatsoever.

Secondly, the standard for kerb weights is for them to be quoted with a half tank of fuel and a 75kg driver - and, when you take the lower density of fuel into account, that means that your pair of 80kg occupants and full tank leaves about 160kg of payload available, assuming neither axle load is exceeded. Which, of course, a trailer will help with.

I think my car-transporter trailer probably just about comes in under 160kg, unladen. A trailer-tent or maybe even a folding camper might even be doable, especially if you leave the mate at home - although I'd agree not a caravan - even an early Eriba Puck is way over that.

Do you still maintain it can tow?

IF you can find me an approved towbar, yes.

DoctorFoster

darkmatter101 wrote: »

Okay,

So this is advice for a friend who has a 2008 Honda S2000. He needs a tow bar for a trailer and maybe a mobile home. His a stubborn individual and he will not get a second car, he only wants to use his s2000 to tow.

I've tried looking up nose load weights for the s2000 and it isn't clearly defined. Is there a special 'sports' tow bar that can be purchased for the s2000?

AdrianC wrote: »

Right. And what do those four weights MEAN?

Front axle - max load on the front axle.
Rear axle - max load on the rear axle.
Gross weight - max on the vehicle in the vehicle itself
Train weight - max load of vehicle plus trailer.

No GTW shown, then what else can it be but the same as the GVW? It can't possibly be lower. But it isn't higher.



Just a couple of pojnts...

Firstly, who said anything about only towing caravans? The OP certainly didn't. He said a trailer and "maybe" a "mobile home". And, yes, I can most certainly find the OP a <65kg trailer. Excuse me whilst I just pop out to the shed... I've not weighed it, but I'd say my little singlewheel comes in at about 20, mebbe 25kg. OK, I need to build a body on it, but if we're looking at something to take (say) a spare set of rims & tyres for a track day, that should be easily doable. If we're looking for a little box for camping gear or junk to the tip, no problem whatsoever.

Secondly, the standard for kerb weights is for them to be quoted with a half tank of fuel and a 75kg driver - and, when you take the lower density of fuel into account, that means that your pair of 80kg occupants and full tank leaves about 160kg of payload available, assuming neither axle load is exceeded. Which, of course, a trailer will help with.

I think my car-transporter trailer probably just about comes in under 160kg, unladen. A trailer-tent or maybe even a folding camper might even be doable, especially if you leave the mate at home - although I'd agree not a caravan - even an early Eriba Puck is way over that.



IF you can find me an approved towbar, yes.

It would appear that we are both wrong. I'll give you another 25kg as kerb weight is a full tank of fuel.

Mobile home to most would suggest at least your basic caravan. So that's a 170kg caravan he can have going on his own without a toothbrush.

Please give him a link to where he can get an approved tow bar and we'll be done with it all.

forgotmyname

Cheap S2000 towbar..... http://www.just-tow.co.uk/towbars/honda-tow-bars/honda-s2000-towbars.html

AdrianC

DoctorFoster wrote: »

It would appear that we are both wrong. I'll give you another 25kg as kerb weight is a full tank of fuel.

18kg. Don't forget that the density of petrol is only about 750g/l.

Mobile home to most would suggest at least your basic caravan. So that's a 170kg caravan he can have going on his own without a toothbrush.

Like I said... "or maybe"

Please give him a link to where he can get an approved tow bar and we'll be done with it all.

Like I said - IF it exists... It quite probably doesn't.