Pelyma
Member Since: 28 Sep 2005
Location: Sussex
Posts: 1497
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Bobs_buggy wrote:As a rule of thumb, it's suggested that a "safe" towing limit is no more than 85% of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle. So, for a 2,500kg car, that would be 2125kg, or c4,675 lbs.
The 3,500kg max braked towing weight referred to in the book is the maximum the vehicle could be expected to tow based on it's re-start ability on a 1:8 (12.5%) uphill gradient (in low ratio, if it has one), not a "safe" limit for prolonged towing on public highways.
Bob.
This tends to be for towing caravans as they tow differently to say a trailer load of soil or tarmac. A caravan has a high centre of gravity which makes it comparatively unstable. An experienced tower would still tow up to 100% ratio with a caravan, but would need to take a lot more care.
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Wed May 31 2006 2:00pm |
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Bobs_buggy
Member Since: 30 Apr 2006
Location: Pump No.3, usually!
Posts: 213
 
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Totally agree, Pelyma. Mind you, I don't thing Davis was intending to tow soil or tarmac on his holiday (though I could be wrong).
I'd tend to stick with 85%, even though I've towed quite a bit. I've always feared the "tail wagging the dog".
I once towed a 3 ton trailer with a Range Rover up to Scotland. It was very nervewracking, every time a lorry overtook, I started snaking, and that was at just 55mph!
Bob. RRS 4.2 S/C. Zermatt. Tints. Stormers. 150+ paint defects, wonkey bonnet, scratches, detached doorseal. suspension faults. To sum it up, a �60k pile of cr4p!
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Wed May 31 2006 9:55pm |
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