Kia Sportage towing capacity
Discussion
Just about done a deal to buy a 12 plate auto Sportage. Checking the specs from Kia and the manual version can tow 2000Kg but the auto only" 1600Kg.
Now comes the problem. My caravan, an Ace Jubilee has a MTPL of 1685Kg. There's only two of us and we tend to travel light and I've got years of experience towing, so not worried about that, but what's the legality of towing this van with this car? If I had an accident would the insurer wriggle out of paying up or is there any likelihood Mr Plod looked closely at it? Any idea what the potential downside is?
Now comes the problem. My caravan, an Ace Jubilee has a MTPL of 1685Kg. There's only two of us and we tend to travel light and I've got years of experience towing, so not worried about that, but what's the legality of towing this van with this car? If I had an accident would the insurer wriggle out of paying up or is there any likelihood Mr Plod looked closely at it? Any idea what the potential downside is?
Some useful points here, esp from Rosscow. You're right about the weight of the battery (110AH) and 2xCalor lite cylinders will add appreciably to the all up weight, I'd not thought of those assumed they were part of the van not part of the load, but you're right.
Spoke to the Camping and Caravan Club tech bod yesterday and he says that when car manufacturers set their weight limits it's based on car being fully loaded and with five occupants in the case of the Sportage and the test is the car has to hold and drive away on a 1:8 hill repeatedly without overloading the gearbox, hence the difference in capacity between manual and auto. The CCC's view is whilst my rig doesn't fall in their "recommended" category as long as I keep the van lightly loaded (under 1600) no-one will question me and there's no specific offence. He did put a rider on that. IF I had an accident AND the van was over Kia's recommended max, THEN I could have a problem with insurance. His suggestion was I make sure the van's under the limit by putting the awning and other heavy stuff in the car. Seems sensible.
So seems I'm OK as long as I'm sensible. Only thing is I'm now leaning towards a Ford Kuga instead on the Sportage, just got to wait for senior management to tell me which one I've chosen.
Spoke to the Camping and Caravan Club tech bod yesterday and he says that when car manufacturers set their weight limits it's based on car being fully loaded and with five occupants in the case of the Sportage and the test is the car has to hold and drive away on a 1:8 hill repeatedly without overloading the gearbox, hence the difference in capacity between manual and auto. The CCC's view is whilst my rig doesn't fall in their "recommended" category as long as I keep the van lightly loaded (under 1600) no-one will question me and there's no specific offence. He did put a rider on that. IF I had an accident AND the van was over Kia's recommended max, THEN I could have a problem with insurance. His suggestion was I make sure the van's under the limit by putting the awning and other heavy stuff in the car. Seems sensible.
So seems I'm OK as long as I'm sensible. Only thing is I'm now leaning towards a Ford Kuga instead on the Sportage, just got to wait for senior management to tell me which one I've chosen.
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