Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Not talking about what the car can tow, just what it's currently allowed to tow. Up to the driver whether they want to risk the consequences or not... Quote
Paul D Turner Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Handbook for current car clearly states max towing weigh for a braked trailer as 1400kg. Kerb weight of the car is probably about 1400kg as well. If the manufacturer says the max is 1400kg then surely it is OK to tow 1400kg. If the most you can tow is 75% or whatever of the total vehicle weight how can garages transport cars on trailers towed by an identical car, Land Rover dealers do it all the time. Paul Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Handbook for current car clearly states max towing weigh for a braked trailer as 1400kg. Kerb weight of the car is probably about 1400kg as well. If the manufacturer says the max is 1400kg then surely it is OK to tow 1400kg.If the most you can tow is 75% or whatever of the total vehicle weight how can garages transport cars on trailers towed by an identical car, Land Rover dealers do it all the time. Paul Er, I know that, we're talking about UNBRAKED trailers here! which according to the Department of Transport mustn't exceed 50% of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle. Not sure why you've suddenly introduced the regs for braked trailers, I have tried to make it clear in my previous posts that i was talking about UNBRAKED, (hence the capitals ) Quote
Paul D Turner Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 I have not suddenly introduced the regs for braked trailers, its on page 1 way before my first post where its sated that its 50% for unbraked and either 85% or 70% for braked both of which are total nonsense when realted to the manufacures maximum figures. Paul Quote
John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 It looks horrible so probably is Quote
jeff oakley Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 I think good concept poor application really. You are paying extra for items that you may not want or need. As for the none braked issue, the level at which you need brakes fitting is nothing to do with the car, it is what the law says. I have seen huge concrete crushers towed by lorries which are unbraked but the law allows that. Now as far as I am aware the vehcile manufacturer states what he vehicle can tow, in the case of the golf 1400kg is what they will have tested it at, they will also recommend a nose weight for stability. Now I was unaware it was the law to be at 75% of the kerb weight although the caravan club recomends this so that you allow for a margin of other weights like fat kids etc to be carried also. I personnaly would never tow a car carrying trailer unbraked and for that reason this would not interest me. Quote
Paul D Turner Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Legally the Caravan Club or other bodies figures have no standing, they are just recomendations, it is the manufacturers figures that the Police and Insurance Companies work to. That means with our current car it is 1400kg braked and 550kg unbraked thus I could not legally tow the seven on any unbraked trailer unless it weighed about minus 50kg. Paul Quote
Pistol Pete Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Over the last couple of years companies state on the V5 the towing limit of the vehicle, this is (usually) on the vin plate as the difference between the Gross Train Weight and the Gross Vehicle weight. Would be easier if they just put the towing limit on As previously stated the Caravan club recommend the MTPLM (max total plated Load mass of something similar) of the trailer is under 85% for novices and up to 100% for experienced of the vehicle kerb weight. This is only a recommendation and you can tow upto the weight limit of the tow car. This is limited normally by the ability to start on a specific incline at a specific height above sea level or sometimes limted by the chassis/suspension. The weight limit for all unbreaked trailers is 750kg, unless your vehicle states a lower limit for unbraked. The other thing to consider, I believe (previously stated by Mr Stanton) that if you put a westy on a trailer it's weight is taken to be the Gross Vehicle Weight (900kg) rather than the actual weight. HTH Pete Quote
AdamR Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 The other thing to consider, I believe (previously stated by Mr Stanton) that if you put a westy on a trailer it's weight is taken to be the Gross Vehicle Weight (900kg) rather than the actual weight. That's odd - just another crazy, needlessly complicated towing scenario I suppose! Well, an interesting topic! In the end I checked it out and my car isn't able to take such a heavy unbraked weight, plus as said I think a braked trailer would be much more safe... I should be around 65% trailer/car ratio so hopefully as a towing novice that will be fine. Off to collect a Clubman tonight! Quote
20v toy Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 Also if the max plated trailer weight exceeds the towing weight of the tow vehicle it is illegal even if the trailer is empty and below the towing weight. If the trailer was home built with no plate you would be weighed. Sometimes the law is an a**. Quote
AdamR Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 Also if the max plated trailer weight exceeds the towing weight of the tow vehicle it is illegal even if the trailer is empty and below the towing weight. Yeah, that one is pretty silly too! So many rules and regulations, wish the DVLA site was anything like clear... Quote
Dommo Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 "SUSPENSION Fully adjustable coil over shock absorbers with adjustable ride height and damping adjustment" cool, a racing trailer! I like the idea, I'd be quite interested in a small trailer that I could tow without taking my C+E license (passed test after 1997). However, aiming for under 750kg has probably restricted them a touch too much. Maybe they need another model, with a higher plated capacity and brakes? Quote
Beez Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Well I've just bought one, to be collected soon so will report back once I have my hands on it!!! For me there is nothing else a round that I can fit into my single garage and still get access down the side with out climbing over the wheels. Also the removable draw bar means i'll actually be able to close the garage door. I really like the idea of being able to get under the car to work on it (BEC so reverse gear box is always a worry) either in the garage or at the track. Also dont have C+E License so handy not having to worry about taking the additional test. Quote
Dommo Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Would be interested to hear what it tows like Quote
s2rrr Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Not overkeen on the dinky little wheels. They will be turning at some rate at 60mph max speed on the motorway. Bob Quote
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