anyone towed a caravan in a 2.5 convertible? lol

[matt86]

Really random question, but can I tow a 16-18ft caravan with a 2.5 convertible, its lowered 40mm with 225/40/17 wheels, will this cause major rub on the rear arches and be dangerous?

p.s this is a serious post and not a joke : )

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

Can't answer the question about your particular rear suspension set up, but the red touring in my sig. has towed a caravan throughout England and Europe for many thousands of miles, usually at illegal speeds and never at the front of a queue. Anyone can do a four wheel drift - six wheel drifting is where it's at!
The cab. is the heaviest of the lot, so no reason why it shouldn't be as good as tow car as the touring.

[matt86]

ok, thank-you Brian, I thought it was capable of doing it, just wasn't sure if because the car is lowered 40mm it may rub the arches.

[Brianmoooore]

You'll be putting about 50kg static load on the towbar when towing, increasing and decreasing a b it as the 'van bounces about. Try getting someone to stand on the middle of the rear bumper, and see how close the tyres come.

[magpie]

pikey alert !

[matt86]

Haha I know. I'm debating whether to take a job in exeter and may live in a caravan temporarily, although my dads got a place near brixham and teignmouth, so just weighing up my options. : )

[The_Diddler]

I'm sure the 325 will be fine, however i believe the advised towing limits etc are that the caravan/trailer maximum loaded weight should not exceed 85% of the tow vehicles kerb weight plus the weight of a couple of people.......... how that kinda makes sense

[billgatese30]

We are discussing this (towing) in Pub Talk at the moment. In a nutshell.

If you passed your car driving test after Jan 1997 (and have not sat the trailer test) then:

The gross weight of the caravan must not be heavier than the kerb (unlaiden) weight of the tow vehicle
The gross weight of the caravan + the kerb (unlaiden weight) of the tow vehicle must not exceed 3500kg combined.

If you passed before Jan 1997 then:

You can tow a load assuming the weight of gross weight of the tow vehicle + the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed 8250kg
The gross weight of the trailer does not exceed the manufacturers towing limit of the tow vehicle. (or the manufacturers gross train weight is not exceeded. Gross train weight is basically gross vehicle + gross towing weight)

[BenHar]

The gross weight of the caravan must not be lighter than the kerb (unlaiden) weight of the tow vehicle

I don't understand.

So the caravan (trailer) must be HEAVIER than the tow vehicle?

Ben

[matt86]

I must admit, I thought the same ben. I thought the thing you are towing has to be half or less than the weight of the towing vehicle??

[billgatese30]

The gross weight of the caravan must not be lighter than the kerb (unlaiden) weight of the tow vehicle

I don't understand.

So the caravan (trailer) must be HEAVIER than the tow vehicle?

Ben

Sorry, double negative , its been a long day.

The gross weight of the caravan must not be Heavier than the kerb weight of the unlaiden tow vehicle.

Sorry about that (as if it wasn't confusing enough to start with!)

[Rav335uk]

On the beer Chris??

[billgatese30]

I've just opened my first can Rav, between these two threads and deciphering the .gov.uk site I need one just to stop my brain from melting

[BenHar]

Sorry, double negative , its been a long day.

Phew, I'm getting confused enough in Pub Talk without that, too.

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

Glad I passed my test (a long, long time) before '97. Makes things much simpler!
BMW's towing limit for a 325 cab. is 1200kg

[BenHar]

Glad I passed my test (a long, long time) before '97.

Me too!

BMW's towing limit for a 325 cab. is 1200kg

I'd still be interested if there is a definite answer for someone who passed after 1997.

Seems crazy if there isn't.

Ben

[billgatese30]

I'd still be interested if there is a definite answer for someone who passed after 1997.

Seems crazy if there isn't.

Ben

If passed post Jan 1997

Car towing limit must not be exceed
trailer gross weight must not be exceeded (i.e. MAM must not be exceeded)
Trailer MAM (or caravan gross weight) must not exceed car kerb weight
trailer MAM + car kerb weight (although the .go.uk web page isn't clear if it kerb weight or gross weight used here) must not exceed 3500kg


pre 1997

car towing limit must not be exceeded
whole shebang must not exceed 8250kg
caravan gross weight (trailer MAM) must not be exceeded.

[BenHar]

So it is 1200kg for an E30 Cabriolet whether you passed your test before or after 1997.

Ben

[manse73]

Just stay in brixham loads of petrol heads live there and one is a zoner but in an e46 m3 now

[rallygaz]

i was told that you that you can only tow a caravan that weighs 80% of the cars weight so if your car is 1000kg you can tow 800kg ..... was told this buy an avid caravan owner !! so if its wrong i'll let him know!!

[Brianmoooore]

That's the recommendation from the health and safety types, but it's not enshrined in law.