What is the correct weight ?

[grantlumsden]

Please help, my brain really is now starting to hurt !!

Im getting confused over the issue of Kerbweights and Max permissible weights etc of my Stilo.

Im looking at buying a caravan and obviously it has to be safely towed etc... I keep reading about the ratio between the car and the caravan weight (MTPLN etc etc !!).

My kerbweight is 1410 kg.
The max towable load is 1300 kg
The Max permissible weight is 3220 kg

According to my maths theres a difference of 510 kg

That means in theory, as long as I dont go mad with carrying extra loads I can tow something heavier than 1300 kg doesnt it ?. Im only looking at going no more than 150 kg over the quoted 1300 kg.

Please help. I dont mind it in language a 6 year old can understand.

Thanks in advance folks..

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hi, Welcome to FF :wave:

What Stilo you got?

iirc, but don't quote me on this, towable weight is just that, towing, and the 3220kg Max permissable weight is the weight of the car in total bearing down, as caravan will have most of its weight on its axle and only a slight bit on the car bearing down through the tow bar if that makes sence.

I may be wrong though.

Jon.

 

[DaveMcT]

In the UK you can legally tow 100% of the car weight as long as the trailer has full overrun brakes. Caravans all have these so you "could" go to 1400kg. But a heavy trailer in a swing can get VERY nasty. You'll need a good stabiliser and dont over-react if (when!) the vans gets into a weave. Braking makes a weave get worse.

Fiat probably quote less than 100% to save the clutch from going AWOL.