Towing weights.

stonkn said:

The Motorhome has a max trailer weight of 1660 kgs & gross train weight of 6000kgs. I was trying to keep it as low as possible but having had a Smart in the past, was looking at other small cars. I'm not sure what a trailer will weigh but guessed at 200kgs which means that you want a car at a max of 1000kgs (or just over) ideally - not wanting to be at the max weight. However, I have been working with cars kerb side weights to draw up my list & I think this wrong? It should be gross vehicle weight that I use should it not? E.g. Fiesta s - KSW 1109kgs - on the list !! Gross weight 1500kgs - Off the list !!!!! The max trailer weight is just that - not a Kerb weight.

Click to expand...

Mornin Stonkn

Firstly, Maximum trailer weight :- This is the maximum weight of any trailer and its load that can be towed behind the motorhome. It is usually limited by the strength of the towbar and its mountings to the chassis.

So 1660 KGS

However,

Your gross combination weight is 6000kg, but you do not state your Gross vehicle weight or the wieght that the motorhome travels at.

Assuming you want to travel with a trailer at the weight stated - 1660kgs, then the GVW of the motorhome cannot exceed (6000-1660=4340) 4340kgs.

So check motorhome GVW and deduct this from GCW (6000kg) and that will give you an idea of how heavy the trailer and car can be.

The car can be any weight you want as long at the weight of it and the trailer does not exceed 1660kg, or the weight you calculate from the previous paragraph.

Hence the GVW of a Fiesta is irrelevant, it is its weight as it sits on the trailer that counts.

In looking for a car, look at the kerbweight, and then add on a bit extra for fuel, stuff in the boot etc.

As for the trailer, my instinct would be to go for a twin axle one for extra stability. There are single axle purpose built trailers available that PRESUMABLY have been designed for a specific car and take account of weight distribution to provide a stable tow, but check this first. Cars are usually loaded head first onto trailer, but a difference in position front to back of only a few inches will have a significant effect on how it tows.

E&OE

best of luck,

David

Have you been given the specification of the towbar you had fitted ? That is, it's maximun towing limit and downforce ??

Like you I would have used your given Train Weight less your GVW.

Perhaps Swift are using "their supplied" towbar limits, hence my question above??

The latitude between Max Train weight and GVW could also be because you can "uprate" your chassis by the difference of 900kg ??

Sounds like "rule-of-thub" by Swift. Your Train weight minus GVW equals what you can pull, IMVHO.

Oh, and 4-wheeled trailers are diffult to manouevre. Get the car off the trailer, wind up the jockey wheel and it becomes a 2-wheeled trailer. Then one-man can park it easily.

Trev