Discussion
Hi,
My wife and I bought our first caravan last weekend, mainly as it will provide us with better shelter than a tent when away at shows/events.
I have not called the DVLA yet but here's what I am unsure of and wondered if anyone had already confirmed or knew more about it?
I could do with a towing licence and assumed I would need to do one if I wanted to do any towing, looking up the licence classes on DVLA website surprised me as they seem to have changed recently? I passed my test after 1997 and before 2013 (2007) so it seems I could tow a caravan or trailer (over 750kg) as long as it and the towing vehicle don't exceed the 3.5T gross weight limit on a category B licence.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
Also that the laden trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules/y/car-or-light-veh...
Seems a good excuse to start looking for a Land Rover! I believe the van weighs 900kg
My wife and I bought our first caravan last weekend, mainly as it will provide us with better shelter than a tent when away at shows/events.
I have not called the DVLA yet but here's what I am unsure of and wondered if anyone had already confirmed or knew more about it?
I could do with a towing licence and assumed I would need to do one if I wanted to do any towing, looking up the licence classes on DVLA website surprised me as they seem to have changed recently? I passed my test after 1997 and before 2013 (2007) so it seems I could tow a caravan or trailer (over 750kg) as long as it and the towing vehicle don't exceed the 3.5T gross weight limit on a category B licence.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
Also that the laden trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules/y/car-or-light-veh...
Seems a good excuse to start looking for a Land Rover! I believe the van weighs 900kg
There's a stick onn this topic - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
surveyor said:
Not a good excuse to look for a Land Rover - that's more likely to put you over the 3.5 Gross Train Weight.
A quick google shows a Mondeo has a kerb weight of around 1,500 KG. Add 900 KG, and 20 KG payload, your within the 3.5 tonne limit.
Most caravans have a modest payload limit.
20kg?!A quick google shows a Mondeo has a kerb weight of around 1,500 KG. Add 900 KG, and 20 KG payload, your within the 3.5 tonne limit.
Most caravans have a modest payload limit.
I presume you mean 200kg
task said:
I did my towing test due to this crazy logic too. I could have towed the caravan with my old Series 3 Land Rover but not my Range Rover. Crazy.
I plan to do mine at some point, but through being a scout leader I may be doing my D1, then D1E, at which point I get B+E by default!Our little megane went pop this week, getting a replacement next week an '01 Focus hatch. 1.8 16v zetec (not sure on trim level yet) it has a tow bar though and I'm wondering does anyone think it would be up to the job of towing the caravan? I think it might be tight for the laden/unladen weight rules? But if it would be ok then we might be sorted for a towing vehicle!
midgeman said:
Our little megane went pop this week, getting a replacement next week an '01 Focus hatch. 1.8 16v zetec (not sure on trim level yet) it has a tow bar though and I'm wondering does anyone think it would be up to the job of towing the caravan? I think it might be tight for the laden/unladen weight rules? But if it would be ok then we might be sorted for a towing vehicle!
Need to find the details online/look at the weight plate/look at the V5 to be sure, and check the weights on the towbar. According to parkers (not perfect) it can take 1200kg braked. So assuming that is correct, you would be fine towing a 1200kg trailer on a B or B+E license.
The gross weight is unlikely to be above 1600kg, and 1600+1200=2800, which is less than 3500, so you're all good assuming i'm right on the gross weight!
I believe the laden trailer/caravan has to weigh less than the unladen towing vehicles weight though. I think the van is 900-1000kg not sure what the focus weighs (1200?) but add clothes, some food, water barrel etc and it could be tight if not over unless the car carries it all.
Edited by midgeman on Sunday 11th May 16:41
midgeman said:
I believe the laden trailer/caravan has to weigh less than the unladen towing vehicles weight though. I think the van is 900-1000kg not sure what the focus weighs (1200?) but add clothes, some food, water barrel etc and it could be tight if not over unless the car carries it all.
It does, the focus's towing limit is less than its unladen weight.Edited by midgeman on Sunday 11th May 16:41
I have the opportunity to buy a Mondeo, 2002 2.0 ltr petrol, I'm guessing that would be more suited than the focus but I haven't found any details on weights etc and not been able to have a good look at the car/manuals. Would anyone know what the kerb and MAM weights are please?
Also got the small problem of no plating on the caravan.. sent pictures to Swift to try and get an age and more details of weights but there's definitely no plate or signs of one that's been removed, too early for marked windows too.
Also got the small problem of no plating on the caravan.. sent pictures to Swift to try and get an age and more details of weights but there's definitely no plate or signs of one that's been removed, too early for marked windows too.
midgeman said:
Also got the small problem of no plating on the caravan.. sent pictures to Swift to try and get an age and more details of weights but there's definitely no plate or signs of one that's been removed, too early for marked windows too.
The plate on our caravan is in the gas bottle bay, have you checked in there?If there is no plate then load it and get a friend with a 4x4 to tow it to the local weighbridge and weigh it. I suggest taking it with a 4x4 to ensure its not too heavy for the vehicle taking it there!
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