Quick Question re. Towing Weights
Discussion
peterguk said:
Cyberprog said:
No, I don't think it can.
I agree.But i have a Ford dealer telling my customer otherwise and i can find no legislation to back my opinion.
I'd be asking the dealer for evidence rather than assume they are correct.
It's a serious thing to get wrong- light vehicle + heavy tow load = instability
I'd say "yes.........but"
There's 6 weights to be aware of, none of which you can exceed:
unit gross weight
unit axle 1 weight
unit axle 2 weight
tongue weight (onto tow hitch)
trailer gross weight
(don't really need to worry too much about relative axle weights for a close-coupled twin or single axle trailer)
gross train weight
Note that, an increase in tongue weight will also increase unit axle 2 weight MORE than the imposed weight, because it acts as a lever and reduces weight off of axle 1 too.
In addition to those 6 which are easily determinable and required to be stated on standardised plates on the tow vehicle, trailer and tow hitch, some manufacturers will also give a maximum trailer weight - but many do not.
ETA there is another weight to worry about - some tow hitches are "heavy duty" and have additional mounting points, heavier metal, more bracing etc. If there are variations and your tow hitch isn't heavy duty, it will have a limit to trailer weight which is possibly lower than that derived from the above.
There's 6 weights to be aware of, none of which you can exceed:
unit gross weight
unit axle 1 weight
unit axle 2 weight
tongue weight (onto tow hitch)
trailer gross weight
(don't really need to worry too much about relative axle weights for a close-coupled twin or single axle trailer)
gross train weight
Note that, an increase in tongue weight will also increase unit axle 2 weight MORE than the imposed weight, because it acts as a lever and reduces weight off of axle 1 too.
In addition to those 6 which are easily determinable and required to be stated on standardised plates on the tow vehicle, trailer and tow hitch, some manufacturers will also give a maximum trailer weight - but many do not.
ETA there is another weight to worry about - some tow hitches are "heavy duty" and have additional mounting points, heavier metal, more bracing etc. If there are variations and your tow hitch isn't heavy duty, it will have a limit to trailer weight which is possibly lower than that derived from the above.
Edited by paul_c123 on Friday 4th September 20:23
In terms of getting prosecuted for anything, I reckon the police can't do much more than look at plated weights, so as long as you're not exceeding any of those you're probably fine.
The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
peterguk said:
Gtom said:
What is the transits actual towing capacity?
Define "actual".Your van will have a max braked trailer limit in kg.
The max towing weight and the max vehicle weight sometimes exceeds your gross train weight.
If the van will tow 3.5 ton you know the van won’t be able to weigh more than 3 ton to keep under its GTW.
It’s not rocket science.
blank said:
In terms of getting prosecuted for anything, I reckon the police can't do much more than look at plated weights, so as long as you're not exceeding any of those you're probably fine.
The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
Thanks for your reply. I'm told only the kerb weight is on the V5.The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
The problem my customer has is they have bought a digger/trailer with combined weight of 3300Kg. Which is 300Kg over the calculated weight from the VIN plate.
And as per my original post, they have been told if the tipper were to have reduced payload they can increase the towing weight.
What i have found so far disagrees. And i can find no legislation whatsoever.
peterguk said:
blank said:
In terms of getting prosecuted for anything, I reckon the police can't do much more than look at plated weights, so as long as you're not exceeding any of those you're probably fine.
The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
Thanks for your reply. I'm told only the kerb weight is on the V5.The actual towing capacity might be more than "GTW-GVW". Should be on the V5 and in the handbook. This isn't unusual. E.g. some L200s have a 2,500 kg difference between GVW and GTW but the towing capacity (according to the V5) is 2,700.
Bear in mind if it's for business purposes you may well need a goods vehicle operators licence.
The problem my customer has is they have bought a digger/trailer with combined weight of 3300Kg. Which is 300Kg over the calculated weight from the VIN plate.
And as per my original post, they have been told if the tipper were to have reduced payload they can increase the towing weight.
What i have found so far disagrees. And i can find no legislation whatsoever.
The V5 or Certificate of Conformity should have a maximum braked towing capacity for the "actual" number.
As you've said, not sure how anyone would get prosecuted for exceeding this (but being within plated weights) as it's a hard number to find in comparison.
It's a bit like the recommended roof load that pretty much all cars have.
There could be insurance implications etc.
Edited by blank on Friday 4th September 23:33
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