Hi, I currently tow with a Superb1 1.9TDi 130 which has a kerbweight of 1567kg and a recommended max towing weight of 1600kg, last year I bought a Elddis Avante 554 which has a MTPLM of 1490kg, I know I am just over the 85% recommended rule but the car tows very well and I have been told and read that the 85% is mostly aimed at drivers new to towing, Also seen as cars are getting better performance that some motoring sites are now saying 90% weight.

My problem is my next move next year is to step upto a Superb2 Estate, I naturally thought as an estate car it would be heavier than my current Superb, so imagine my surprise that the new estate has a kerbweight of only 1519kg that only gives me 29kg to play with and is almost at 100%.

I know the new Superb has a recommended max towing weight of 1800kg so on paper towing my caravan should be a doddle but I was just wondering if anyone had experience of towing with the Superb2 especially around this weight?

Any advice would be grateful as this could be the different between the much better Superb2 or a compromise Passat estate as they have a kerbweight weight of 1715kg, the lardy German box is my only other choose as I am definately not have a 4x4 tank!

Cheers all.

Edited 10 January, 201214 yr by bryanp

What about the Superb 4x4 Estate? 2000kg tow limit and should pull like a train! - Best of both worlds!

Al.

What about the Superb 4x4 Estate? 2000kg tow limit and should pull like a train! - Best of both worlds!

Al.

On a tight budget that unfortunately will only just stretch to a normal estate if i'm lucky!

Hi,

I think you need to investigate changing definitions of 'kerbweight'. I recently changed my ageing Mondeo estate for a 2010 Superb II estate with the 170bhp diesel engine to tow my caravan. When I was then checking comparative 'kerbweights' I realised that the Ford figures seemed to include a driver, whereas the published Skoda figures did not. The handbook for my Superb quotes an 'Unladen weight ready for work' of 1577kg for this model.

I am responding to this from the caravan on our first real outing. The car seemed to tow very comfortably with no stability problems, altho' my van is lighter than yours (Coachman Pastiche 460/2 with a MPTLM 0f 1420kg).

I would think if you are OK with your current car, then the new one will also be OK.

You may, however, want to enter the details into either or both 'whattowcar.com' or the Caravan Club oufit matching programme (available on their website for members) to check their verdicts.

Happy towing.

Cheers

Paul R T

Hi,

I think you need to investigate changing definitions of 'kerbweight'. I recently changed my ageing Mondeo estate for a 2010 Superb II estate with the 170bhp diesel engine to tow my caravan. When I was then checking comparative 'kerbweights' I realised that the Ford figures seemed to include a driver, whereas the published Skoda figures did not. The handbook for my Superb quotes an 'Unladen weight ready for work' of 1577kg for this model.

I am responding to this from the caravan on our first real outing. The car seemed to tow very comfortably with no stability problems, altho' my van is lighter than yours (Coachman Pastiche 460/2 with a MPTLM 0f 1420kg).

I would think if you are OK with your current car, then the new one will also be OK.

You may, however, want to enter the details into either or both 'whattowcar.com' or the Caravan Club oufit matching programme (available on their website for members) to check their verdicts.

Happy towing.

Cheers

Paul R T

Been on the website, its good, It came up as a very good match except the 85% weight which it flagged up as a caution, they do like Superb2 on that site, it gets amazing praise for all aspects of towing.

I agree with Paul about the kerb weights. When I ordered my previous car (a Passat), the brochure kerbweight was just under 1700KG, but as I got closer to the vehicle arriving, the latest brochure showed around 1550KG, even though there were no changes to the actual car. I had a few conversations with the dealer and they agreed to put it on a weighbridge before I agreed to accept it. With the fuel gauge on 'red', but all other fluids full and no driver, it weighed 1660KG.

Interestingly, my MY11 Superb TDi140 Hatch seems to have lost 75KG over the latest published figures (from 1547KG in the brochure I ordered from, to 1472KG in the current brochure) - surely there's not that much change in weights? I have never put this onto a weighbridge to check it.

I've towed our van (MTPLM 1460KG, 94% match) about 3,500 miles with this car, including nearly 1000 miles on French autoroutes, sometimes at more than 60mph, and the Superb is more stable than the Passat, although isn't as "strong" as the Passat was with the 170PS engine (obviously). I do think the 18" wheels and low profile tyres help quite a bit - which model are you going for?

I think that if you're an experienced tower (if that's a word!), you should be OK.

I agree with Paul about the kerb weights. When I ordered my previous car (a Passat), the brochure kerbweight was just under 1700KG, but as I got closer to the vehicle arriving, the latest brochure showed around 1550KG, even though there were no changes to the actual car. I had a few conversations with the dealer and they agreed to put it on a weighbridge before I agreed to accept it. With the fuel gauge on 'red', but all other fluids full and no driver, it weighed 1660KG.

Interestingly, my MY11 Superb TDi140 Hatch seems to have lost 75KG over the latest published figures (from 1547KG in the brochure I ordered from, to 1472KG in the current brochure) - surely there's not that much change in weights? I have never put this onto a weighbridge to check it.

I've towed our van (MTPLM 1460KG, 94% match) about 3,500 miles with this car, including nearly 1000 miles on French autoroutes, sometimes at more than 60mph, and the Superb is more stable than the Passat, although isn't as "strong" as the Passat was with the 170PS engine (obviously). I do think the 18" wheels and low profile tyres help quite a bit - which model are you going for?

I think that if you're an experienced tower (if that's a word!), you should be OK.

Dear bryanp et al,

See a previous post I made 3 months ago which should answer some if not all your questions http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/212472-gross-train-weight/page__p__2508880__fromsearch__1#entry2508880

As MrGrumpy has mentioned the weights have all lost 75kg as Skoda have decided, in their wisdom, against the EU directive from 1995, to change their weights and to publish weights excluding driver and luggage. So the real kerbweight for the CR170 Estate (I assume it's this model you refer to) is 1594kg. On top of that you'll need to add the weight of the towbar (a Witter detachable is 22kg) plus any other special equipment and extras that are fitted to your car. Skoda, helpfully, don't seem to publish these but could be considerable, so it could be worth a few quid to put your car on a public weighbridge when you have it.

I'm currently waiting for a Superb Est CR170 Elegance DSG with a million options to be built in week 5 and hopefully to arrive 01Mar. I tow a Lunar 556 6 berth, MTPLM 1499kg, although the bunks have been removed (amazingly they weigh approx 45kg, but motor mover added). Currently towing with a Vectra Est (kerbweight 1645kg) and with a lot less power than the Superb and a lot less max tow weight and GTW. I'm looking forward to towing with the Superb.

The 85% rule is only a guideline and is used by the caravan club and others purely to cover all bases as they have no idea what else is going in the car or van. When I'm fully laden for a holiday the car has 4 people in and a boot full as well so close to max and out of a GTW of 3525kg the van weighs 1499kg max, so the car part of the combo is much the heavier which is the important bit.

The kerbweight limitations depend on when you passed you test, or what other tests you've passed since and basically what's listed on your licence. You are limited by your MTPLM anyway which is way below the car's kerbweight so you should be absolutely fine.

cheers Simon

Dear bryanp et al,

See a previous post I made 3 months ago which should answer some if not all your questions http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/212472-gross-train-weight/page__p__2508880__fromsearch__1#entry2508880

As MrGrumpy has mentioned the weights have all lost 75kg as Skoda have decided, in their wisdom, against the EU directive from 1995, to change their weights and to publish weights excluding driver and luggage. So the real kerbweight for the CR170 Estate (I assume it's this model you refer to) is 1594kg. On top of that you'll need to add the weight of the towbar (a Witter detachable is 22kg) plus any other special equipment and extras that are fitted to your car. Skoda, helpfully, don't seem to publish these but could be considerable, so it could be worth a few quid to put your car on a public weighbridge when you have it.

I'm currently waiting for a Superb Est CR170 Elegance DSG with a million options to be built in week 5 and hopefully to arrive 01Mar. I tow a Lunar 556 6 berth, MTPLM 1499kg, although the bunks have been removed (amazingly they weigh approx 45kg, but motor mover added). Currently towing with a Vectra Est (kerbweight 1645kg) and with a lot less power than the Superb and a lot less max tow weight and GTW. I'm looking forward to towing with the Superb.

The 85% rule is only a guideline and is used by the caravan club and others purely to cover all bases as they have no idea what else is going in the car or van. When I'm fully laden for a holiday the car has 4 people in and a boot full as well so close to max and out of a GTW of 3525kg the van weighs 1499kg max, so the car part of the combo is much the heavier which is the important bit.

The kerbweight limitations depend on when you passed you test, or what other tests you've passed since and basically what's listed on your licence. You are limited by your MTPLM anyway which is way below the car's kerbweight so you should be absolutely fine.

cheers Simon

Cheers Mate, Didn't realise Skoda had taken usual added pay load out of their equation! as well as all the other extra's you mention I also have about 80kg of Bikes, carriers and roof bars on the car and was laos thinking of putting the awning in the boot to lighten the caravan a bit,

Looks like the Superb2 is the clear favourate again, just wish I could afford one right now!

Cheers all

Edited 11 January, 201214 yr by bryanp