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I think you will find MOST drivers will be able to tow this weight as Im sure there are more drivers out there that passed thier test before 1997 than after that date.

true true and younger people less likely to pull a shed behind them that you poo in Id love a motorhome but for some reason dismiss a caravan even thought it makes much more sense on paper not needing to run and maintain another entire vehicle tax mot etc but id still love a converted coach

I hate the old grandfather rights on licences as I actually passed my tests and so many who drive them regularly would be unlikely able to pass a test with one on. I mean where is the logic that someone doing test in a small hatchback 1.0 pre 97 gets a small lorry licence mini bus and car with trailer ..... should have required people to take tests if they wanted to drive them after that date IMO thats why we have to do driving tests.

true true and younger people less likely to pull a shed behind them that you poo in Id love a motorhome but for some reason dismiss a caravan even thought it makes much more sense on paper not needing to run and maintain another entire vehicle tax mot etc but id still love a converted coach

I hate the old grandfather rights on licences as I actually passed my tests and so many who drive them regularly would be unlikely able to pass a test with one on. I mean where is the logic that someone doing test in a small hatchback 1.0 pre 97 gets a small lorry licence mini bus and car with trailer ..... should have required people to take tests if they wanted to drive them after that date IMO thats why we have to do driving tests.

I passed a test, just the same as you, although I drove a 2.8 v6 granada to do it in. What did you pass in ? a 1.0 saxo ? Are you qualified to drive a car as big as an Octavia ?

I could quite easily argue the fact that driving standards have been deteriorating in recent years due to the declining standards of said tests. I could also argue (and you are a perfect case in point) that the whole education system has been dumbed down in recent years. However, I won't generalise like that as I would then be no better than you !

So, you dont want to tow a shed that you poo in, but you would "love" to drive a shed that you poo in. Nice logical argument there !

You clearly have never towed anything. If you had you would know that it is far harder to manouver a small, light, short trailer than a large, heavy, long one.

What are these old granfather rights you speak of ?? Or is it just towing that has you so hot and bothered ?

Anyhoo, I'm off out to polish my tow bar, ready for my next reckless madcap driving spree, terrorising young perfect drivers!

When they took away the little red book licence, I lost my right to drive steam rollers - not that I had any idea how to drive one, but you never know!!

The max recommended weight you should tow (85% of kerb weight) is about 1300kg. So you should be looking for a caravan with MTPLM of around that figure. Legally you can tow a higher weight.

This is a guidance figure for less experienced towers, you CAN tow at 100%,

This is a guidance figure for less experienced towers, you CAN tow at 100%,

Or even over 100% providing you are within the plated weights. from memory a Mondeo had a towing limit of 1800kg put only weighed about 1500kgs

That always gets them in a tissie on the Caravan forums

I hate the old grandfather rights on licences as I actually passed my tests and so many who drive them regularly would be unlikely able to pass a test with one on. I mean where is the logic that someone doing test in a small hatchback 1.0 pre 97 gets a small lorry licence mini bus and car with trailer ..... should have required people to take tests if they wanted to drive them after that date IMO thats why we have to do driving tests.

When I passed the test 31 years ago the authorities gave me certain driving rights. Now I could have been driving a small lorry or minibus etc for the 17 years until 1997. How is it fair for them to take that right away from an experienced driver and expect them to take another test?

Its the only fair way to tighten up such regulations. Those already possessing rights retain them, but new applicants have to do more.

From your point of view you may as well say that everyone who took their test before the theory test should now have to sit the theory test.

Anyway if you're foaming at the mouth over the pre 1997 regs consider this; my late father had a full licence to drive motorcycles, heavy lorries and tanks and never took a test at all.

During the war....etc

So, you dont want to tow a shed that you poo in, but you would "love" to drive a shed that you poo in. Nice logical argument there !

I thought most people tried to avoid using the on board facilities anyway?

I thought most people tried to avoid using the on board facilities anyway?

Quite correct, Fine for a wizz, but not my preferd mode for a dump ! :no:

No offence intended...I've never fancied a van myself despite being the holder of a pre 97 licence. Have thought of getting a fast(ish) VW T5 Camper but they aren't cheap.

No offence taken mate, each to their own. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same

On the Octavia 2.0 vRS CR I see the towing limit stated as 1400Kg braked. So using 85% rule 1190kg but why so low when the Superb shows a Kerbweight of 1579KG But max towing 2000kg using an estate 2.0 diesel figures as a bench mark.

These numbers don't add up. How are they able to be a greater weight for miro.

I factor in two adults to kerb weight and say half a tank of fuel but would not dream to tow greater that 1400kg.

Is the Superb figure wrong on Skoda's uk web page.

But I also see this on other cars Merc and ford to name a few.

Any ideas.

The answer is 1400 klg max but thats not the right figure for safety in towing you should not be greater than 1326 klg, it would be like tail wagging dog if when exceeding manufactures limit.

I will keep out of this one. Try www.caravantalk.co.uk It will help.

Is the Superb figure wrong on Skoda's uk web page.

Probably not. Manufacturers towing limits for different models of vehicle are determined by a number of factors....mainly strength of chassis/tow bar attachment points and drive train considerations.

The 85% of curb weight towing limit guide is purely to reduce the number of caravans that end up on their roofs on the M5 every year. You can perfectly safely tow up the manufacturers weight limit as long as you drive sensibly.

As an illustration of this, I used to tow a horse box (1000kg) with 2 horses on board (1400kg) with a Land Rover Defender (3500 kg manufacturers towing limit....1400 kg curb weight). It was perfectly safe, although It was a twin axle trailer which helps with stability.

Edited 16 April, 201313 yr by booke23

I have just started towing with my 2010 VRS estate so have checked this out thoroughly. It is 1400kg max with a recommended weight 85% of this. They say you should only go over the 85% if you are experienced at towing which you clearly are. I stuck to 85% I'm new to towing. Enjoy your new caravan.

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Towing/Matching-car-van.pdf?w=AACXANEsx8-Ke6pAdPz4O6IPQfF5atxwMN8GCaCP8stiAg

Try this:

If is does not work then the PDF file.

Matching-car-van.pdf