Hi 

As a fairly new Karoq driver I bought the car based on towing a lightweight caravan.

 

As all those that tow will know , weight ratios are important. We can discuss the engine power etc but I really want more knowledge on the weight of my 1.5 SE L manual Karoq.

 

So why am I confused , the weight everywhere I search online suggests it's around 1320 kg without driver , my V5 suggests it's mass in service is 1501 kg.

 

Now my car was blessed with a lot of optional extras as new , including pan roof , auto boot , and electric drivers seat ....to name those I think add to the standard weight.

 

The actual car weight is important to me if I want to upgrade the caravan , my current van has a max loaded weight of 1067 ....so a great match , but I want a lightweight  fixed bed 4 birth at 1300kg.. The difference in suggested  kerb weights of 1320kg and 1500kg is significant in my case. While I have towing experience , I want to relax in the knowledge that I can avoid those hair raising moments.

 

I'm also aware , how important  the portable load is mixed between caravan and car  ,where the weight is placed in the caravan , and  getting the right nose weight is important.

 

I did have a D200Q 7 speed dry  DSG on a Octavia ( even lighter weight car ) previously but avoided the DSG this time as I'm aware of it's unreliability under load , particularly towing.

A diesel wasn't an option due to the nature of my work , very short city journeys.

 

My question ....what weight is my car ......1501kg or 1320kg. What figure would you use ?

Edited 7 September, 20241 yr by MartsKaroq
Spelling / Grammar

I use the weights on the VIN plate of the car. It shows the weight of the Vehicle (A) and Gross Train weight (B).  C and D are load spread across front and rear axles.

 

 

This vehicle for example can tow 1695kg, (B minus A )

 

If you do the calculation for percentage you may notice that it can only legally tow about 67% of it's weight. This is becoming more common with Hybrids and Bevs for example because the extra weight of the Car actually reduces it's towing capability.

 

So check your cars "A" figure and work out the weight based on the percentage you are happy with without going over the "B" combination of both

 

I suspect the 1.5 will have a max of around 1500kg but if you want an 85% match your looking at 1,275kg for the Caravan when laden.

 

You may find this useful

 

https://towcar.info/

 

If you are a member of a caravan or camping Club they offer a free on-line match checker

 

 

Edited 8 September, 20241 yr by Stonekeeper

The only accurate way to determine the kerbweight (Which you appear to be asking) is to either obtain a copy of the certificate of conformity where it will be stated or put it on a public weighbridge.

 

Skoda quote a kerbweight range of between 1344kg and 1550kg for the 1.5 manual. An SEL with a few options will be closer to 1500kg.

 

Max tow for the 1.5TSi manual is 1500kg.

Skoda quote 1428kg with driver for basic car with no options (1.5 manual SEL) to 1621kg

Can easily add up another 150kg with multiple options.

 

Even if you used a (very) rough rule of thumb of 15kg each for things like motorised seats, glass roof, and motorised boot, then a few kg each adding larger wheels & tyres, spare wheel, tow hook, etc then could easily be near 1500kg.

 

Not much point in looking up the basic weight with no driver and empty fuel tank, rather than the operating weight.

 

The table of weights is in Technical section towards end of brochure, but it quotes a range (as it depends on options) so look at vin plate

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/c63f4efb-a760-4a48-931f-baad88d42aa6
 

For 1.5tsi manual SEL gives max towing weight as 1500kg (12% gradient) or 1700kg (8% gradient) or 700kg unbraked

 

Edited 9 September, 20241 yr by SurreyJohn

On 09/09/2024 at 14:57, SurreyJohn said:

so look at vin plate

 

 

 

 

Vin plate doesn't show Kerb weight.

 

The four values are.

 

Gross Vehicle Weight

Gross Train Weight

Front Axle Limit

Rear Axle Limit.

 

Mass in Service on V5 is whatever weight dealer decides to declare and is often incorrect.

 

Certificate of conformity shows the exact kerbweight but we in the UK don't often get the CofC  DIN and UK definitions do not include 75kg for the driver.

 

Public weighbridges are easy to use and is only the real way to find the kerbweight.

 

But for the OP I wouldn't really get to hung up. The cars going to be around 1500kg, max tow is 1500kg and will be the difference between GVW and GTW on the vin plate.

 

Stay under 1500kg, load the trailer caravan correctly and drive safely.

 

 

 

Thanks all , everyone's opinion helps me come to a reasonable conclusion.

I'm currently towing a lightweight caravan that tows extremely well at only 1067kg max laden weight.

 

My thoughts were to find a caravan between 1300-1400kg laden weight( which opens up more options ) By the sounds of it whilst driving with caution this shouldn't be a problem. But for safety I'll aim for something nearer 1300kg if I can.

 

Of course , caravan and car  loading are important , length of caravan and road conditions. I had about 8 years towing experience but this was some time ago.

There's no set rule for all other than ensuring you're happy that your safe.

 

I've seen posts about people towing big caravans with the 1.4 kodiaq , while this might be stable the overall train weight must be a strain on that engine ! 

 

 

My Bailey Pursuit 430-4 is a fixed bed 4 berth with an MTPLM figure of 1229kg, but it's 10 years old.  The equivalent new van is the Bailey Discovery D4-4 which comes with an MTPLM of 1248kg, which is just below the 85% weight of 1275kg, assuming your Karoq to be 1500kg. I'm sure there will be others that fit the bill, so it would be worth getting to the National Show at the NEC this week to see what's available if you can?

 

https://mcshow.co.uk/

On 09/10/2024 at 21:52, MartsKaroq said:

Thanks all , everyone's opinion helps me come to a reasonable conclusion.

I'm currently towing a lightweight caravan that tows extremely well at only 1067kg max laden weight.

 

My thoughts were to find a caravan between 1300-1400kg laden weight( which opens up more options ) By the sounds of it whilst driving with caution this shouldn't be a problem. But for safety I'll aim for something nearer 1300kg if I can.

 

Of course , caravan and car  loading are important , length of caravan and road conditions. I had about 8 years towing experience but this was some time ago.

There's no set rule for all other than ensuring you're happy that your safe.

 

I've seen posts about people towing big caravans with the 1.4 kodiaq , while this might be stable the overall train weight must be a strain on that engine ! 

 

 

 

Out of interest, what does your vin plate say?

I've dug out the Certificate of Conformity for my Karoq and it states 1604kg  MIRO (mass in running order) but 1735kg actual mass.

 

The UK gov website has MIRO including full tank of fuel and 75kg for the driver, and this aligns with the Operating Weight listed in the handbook, so I don't know where my extra 131kg has come from. The only extras I have are a spare wheel and factory towing kit, but I wouldn't have thought they were more than 30 or 40kg?

 

Anyway, it looks like you might want to check for the listed Operating Weight for your specific model in the handbook?