Tows on the whole
Last week you advised someone that a Ford Kuga would be able to tow 2,100kg and indeed the manufacture specification bears this out. The Caravan Club, and websites like what tow car.com compare the kerb weight of the vehicle and not the gross weight. Thus the Kuga has a kerb weight of 1,613kg and would not sensibly tow my caravan which has a maximum technical permissible laden mass of 1,424kg , according to both sources. I discounted a Kuga as a result since I wished to be within legal restraints. I am thus confused as to how the manufacturer is stating 2,100Kg as the towing capability, and indeed it is stated as such on the V5 registration document whilst the other organizations are referring to the lower kerb weight. Can you explain this confusion?
Asked on 23 May 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
The Caravan Club 85% rule is 'safe' advice to inexperienced caravan towers. Manufacturers rate vehicles by what they can tow, not by what the Caravan Club rates them as 'safe' to tow using the 85% rule. And that is only for caravans, which are generally much more voluminous more easily blown about for a given weight than something like a horsebox.
Tags:
towing weights
owning
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