Towing a caravan .. quick question.

[jacko5]

Well going to look at a caravan today.
Looked on the internet and conflicting towing weights match for my Seat Leon 1.8 TSi SC.
The caravan is a Geist LV 485 ...Miro is 1165kg ... MTPLM is 1400kg. payload 190kg.
If i tow the caravan with nothing inside and put all our gear in the car do you think it will be Ok ?
Very confusing the internet lol.

 

[RADIOTWO]

Well going to look at a caravan today.
Looked on the internet and conflicting towing weights match for my Seat Leon 1.8 TSi SC.
The caravan is a Geist LV 485 ...Miro is 1165kg ... MTPLM is 1400kg. payload 190kg.
If i tow the caravan with nothing inside and put all our gear in the car do you think it will be Ok ?
Very confusing the internet lol.

Hi Jacko
There is so many variables, but the figures I have seen is the max weight is 1500 Kgs but it
also takes into account the kerb weight of the car. and the total you can tow depending when
you passed your test.
Also its not just a matter of putting it all in the car as you could then overload the car.

 

[LouG]

Forget the caravan, stay at a motel. Hundreds of other drivers will love you for it.

 

[ben4012]

Yes you can pull 1400kg depending on licence. The car has a gross weight too so bear that in mind. All figures are on the door pillar.

 

[jacko5]

Thanks for your replies.
I ended up not buying the caravan.
I i do get one it will be lighter in weight.

 

[BoomerBoom]

The guide line (caravan club) is that the caravan should not weigh more than 85% of the car, otherwise the tail will wag the dog and you'll have an unstable combination - especially when the unexpected happens.

So, if your car's kerb weight is 1300kg then the caravan should not be more than 1100kg in running order. Filling the car with people and luggage can help or sometimes hinder stability, depending where the weight goes.

Buying a caravan right on the safe limit when it's empty is a bit limiting for luggage.

 

[jacko5]

^
Cheers.

 

[ben4012]

CC guidelines are years out of date and meant for novices. Take a defender pulling a Range Rover on a big trailer and work out that ratio.

 

[RADIOTWO]

CC guidelines are years out of date and meant for novices. Take a defender pulling a Range Rover on a big trailer and work out that ratio.

No offence to the original poster but as he asked the question in the first place I guess he is not a Professional
as I guess a lot are not but your comment about the Defender and a Range Rover is still not for the faint hearted
but those vehicles are made for towing and as a example they can both tow 3500 Kgs.

 

[BoomerBoom]

A large 4x4 is no guarantee of safety, anyone towing over the recommended 85% ratio (even if still within the car limits) needs to be very cautious and experienced.

From my local paper just this morning, a large Toyota 4x4 was flipped into the opposite carriageway by its caravan.