Towing at just over capacity
Discussion
I now need to tow a enclosed trailer which when laden will be 100kgs ish over my current vehicles 2000kg tow capacity. It’s a modern 4x4 small SUV with decent performance. The next engine up (identical physically) in the range can do 2100kgs with I assume the exact same drive train and braking system. Weight of vehicle is rated 2200kg so wouldn’t be above gross weight. I don’t think it would look odd towing the trailer and it wouldn’t be obvious what is inside.
Obviously the sensible answer is I need to upgrade to a vehicle with ample tow capacity. But it seems a shame to change the car as it’s less than 10% under and the same car with a different map would be under 5% or exactly on. Especially as for the rest of the time the car is exactly suited to our needs.
How likely am I to get myself into trouble? Aware I’d be liable to be fined if stopped and prevented from going further.
How are max tow capacities calculated?
Could I have the car remapped and re-certified? Is that even a thing?
Obviously the sensible answer is I need to upgrade to a vehicle with ample tow capacity. But it seems a shame to change the car as it’s less than 10% under and the same car with a different map would be under 5% or exactly on. Especially as for the rest of the time the car is exactly suited to our needs.
How likely am I to get myself into trouble? Aware I’d be liable to be fined if stopped and prevented from going further.
How are max tow capacities calculated?
Could I have the car remapped and re-certified? Is that even a thing?
QBee said:
Doesn't that last comment depend on your age?
I am older, passed my test on 31st October 1970, and don't think I am restricted to 3.5 tonnes.
Indeed, I had better not be, as I used to tow a 1.2 tonne trailer containing 1.2 tonnes of horses with a Ford Explorer (over 2 tonnes)
It does. Before 1997 you're good on the licence, but if it's for hire and reward then over 3.5 tonnes you need a tacho. I am older, passed my test on 31st October 1970, and don't think I am restricted to 3.5 tonnes.
Indeed, I had better not be, as I used to tow a 1.2 tonne trailer containing 1.2 tonnes of horses with a Ford Explorer (over 2 tonnes)
shost said:
I now need to tow a enclosed trailer which when laden will be 100kgs ish over my current vehicles 2000kg tow capacity. It’s a modern 4x4 small SUV with decent performance. The next engine up (identical physically) in the range can do 2100kgs with I assume the exact same drive train and braking system. Weight of vehicle is rated 2200kg so wouldn’t be above gross weight. I don’t think it would look odd towing the trailer and it wouldn’t be obvious what is inside.
Obviously the sensible answer is I need to upgrade to a vehicle with ample tow capacity. But it seems a shame to change the car as it’s less than 10% under and the same car with a different map would be under 5% or exactly on. Especially as for the rest of the time the car is exactly suited to our needs.
How likely am I to get myself into trouble? Aware I’d be liable to be fined if stopped and prevented from going further.
How are max tow capacities calculated?
Could I have the car remapped and re-certified? Is that even a thing?
Why fObviously the sensible answer is I need to upgrade to a vehicle with ample tow capacity. But it seems a shame to change the car as it’s less than 10% under and the same car with a different map would be under 5% or exactly on. Especially as for the rest of the time the car is exactly suited to our needs.
How likely am I to get myself into trouble? Aware I’d be liable to be fined if stopped and prevented from going further.
How are max tow capacities calculated?
Could I have the car remapped and re-certified? Is that even a thing?
k with your own safety, let alone that of other road users? You know the right thing to do.Appreciate the replies,
I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
shost said:
Appreciate the replies,
I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
If you're at or under 2 tonne on the trailer then you'll definitely be fine. A 2 tonne trailer gives you 500(or so)kg payload, minus you and fuel you're looking at 350kg of stuff. Unless you're carrying bags of sand then you'll bulk out long before you go overweight. Put as much as you can in the car and crack on. If you can get 100kg in the car you'll be bob on. Some people (especially on here) will act as if 10kg over and you'll explode and kill children the first corner you go around, be sensible and you'll be reet. I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
Chances of being stopped are slim to none anyway.
journeymanpro said:
There's no margin of error for being overweight if you are stopped. Graduated fine and forced to remove weight before continuing your journey.
Wrong, there's an unoffical 10% allowance before action starts. If you're stopped and are E.G 80kg over then you won't be slapped with a fine and told to dump belongings in the skip provided.
DVSA are only human and there is an attitude test.
They get a bad rep but they're not bad at all.
Edited by Kiribati268 on Saturday 31st October 19:08
Kiribati268 said:
journeymanpro said:
There's no margin of error for being overweight if you are stopped. Graduated fine and forced to remove weight before continuing your journey.
Wrong, there's an unoffical 10% allowance before action starts. If you're stopped and are E.G 80kg over then you won't be slapped with a fine and told to dump belongings in the skip provided.
DVSA are only human and there is an attitude test.
They get a bad rep but they're not bad at all.
Edited by Kiribati268 on Saturday 31st October 19:08
... remap lol
Its to do with manufacturers plated weights not power curve.
Only option is to look at the trailer weight it and if it is under the weight then maybe ask the manufacturer to down plate it.
My friend managed it with caravan which was a fair bit lighter than plated as some just plate to the heaviest combination.
The manufacturer did charge a pretty penny for a new trailer plate.
Its to do with manufacturers plated weights not power curve.
Only option is to look at the trailer weight it and if it is under the weight then maybe ask the manufacturer to down plate it.
My friend managed it with caravan which was a fair bit lighter than plated as some just plate to the heaviest combination.
The manufacturer did charge a pretty penny for a new trailer plate.
surveyor_101 said:
... remap lol
Its to do with manufacturers plated weights not power curve.
Only option is to look at the trailer weight it and if it is under the weight then maybe ask the manufacturer to down plate it.
My friend managed it with caravan which was a fair bit lighter than plated as some just plate to the heaviest combination.
The manufacturer did charge a pretty penny for a new trailer plate.
I’m partly serious about the remap as the 2020 version of our engine with AWD is 2100kg, and the 250bhp version is the same. Yet both have the same drive train, brakes etc. Its to do with manufacturers plated weights not power curve.
Only option is to look at the trailer weight it and if it is under the weight then maybe ask the manufacturer to down plate it.
My friend managed it with caravan which was a fair bit lighter than plated as some just plate to the heaviest combination.
The manufacturer did charge a pretty penny for a new trailer plate.
Interesting point about down plating the trailer though. Might be something to investigate.
Kiribati268 said:
shost said:
Appreciate the replies,
I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
If you're at or under 2 tonne on the trailer then you'll definitely be fine. A 2 tonne trailer gives you 500(or so)kg payload, minus you and fuel you're looking at 350kg of stuff. Unless you're carrying bags of sand then you'll bulk out long before you go overweight. Put as much as you can in the car and crack on. If you can get 100kg in the car you'll be bob on. Some people (especially on here) will act as if 10kg over and you'll explode and kill children the first corner you go around, be sensible and you'll be reet. I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
Chances of being stopped are slim to none anyway.
shost said:
Kiribati268 said:
shost said:
Appreciate the replies,
I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
If you're at or under 2 tonne on the trailer then you'll definitely be fine. A 2 tonne trailer gives you 500(or so)kg payload, minus you and fuel you're looking at 350kg of stuff. Unless you're carrying bags of sand then you'll bulk out long before you go overweight. Put as much as you can in the car and crack on. If you can get 100kg in the car you'll be bob on. Some people (especially on here) will act as if 10kg over and you'll explode and kill children the first corner you go around, be sensible and you'll be reet. I should know exactly the weight of the train and have ability to weigh the train and tow car and the weight of additional bits I’m carrying.
I am due to sit my tow test before going anywhere as train will be over 3.5T and I’m post 97 test. Personal use too.
Plate says max gross vehicle weight 2220kg, max train weight 4220kg. I thought the car is 1700kgs kerb, but don’t actually know this for certain but have means to find out.
So I don’t think I would exceed the vehicle max weight train weight and can take some items in the car, but still be just over the 2000kgs tow capacity listed in owners manual. I’ll be towing 2100-2200kg max of which 100kgs which could be in the boot of the car. But if I’m under the max train weight , which I should be, am I ok?
I would not do anything unsafe but with all things there is a margin of error, speeding for example plod gives margin and DVSA website suggested under 5% is given as leeway.
Car is a tow car award winner...
Chances of being stopped are slim to none anyway.
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