Gross Weight Question

Just wondering whats the gross weight of a 96 swb t2? Just wondering as I will be towing a caravan with it and as I passed my test after 97 I cannot go over a gross weight of 3500kg.

[zippy656]

http://www.whattowcar.com/

look here bud.

i know i SHOULD know it, but i cant find it at the mo..

will dig a bit more laters..


if you know the caravan youve got or looking at..

fill it in and youll get an answer

Zippy

[lacroupade]

Search is your friend....

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...towing+weights

[zippy]

my LWB is 1950Kg as per our local weigh bridge. If yours is anywhere near that weight then you can pull nearly any single axle caravan, though twins might be a problem.

Edited to add that you are limited to a gross train weight of 3500Kg, though this area is still very grey and some police may go with the braked limit which is much lower (cant remember it).

The caravan I am looking at is a twin axle with a plated gross weight of 1500kg so if your lwb is just under 2 ton mine will obviously be less but even at 2 ton I would be ok as it just makes 3500kg

[walshie]

Originally Posted by Andy-Blackpool

The caravan I am looking at is a twin axle with a plated gross weight of 1500kg so if your lwb is just under 2 ton mine will obviously be less but even at 2 ton I would be ok as it just makes 3500kg

Don't quote me on this, but I'm in the exact same position and when I looked into it you also have to make sure the weight of the towed weight is not more than 80% of the towing vehicle weight, so towing a weight of 1500kgs with a lwb t2 weighing 2000kgs is fine because thats only 75% of the vehicle weight, but the lighter the swb is, the closer you're going to be going towards that 80% figure. For example, if the swb weighs 1730kgs (one figure I've seen) then a 1500kgs caravan would be 86.7% of that tow vehicle weight and wouldn't be legal. I'd get this checked out just incase I'm right!

walshie

[(RIP) PLANK]

dont forget if you are looking at gross vehicle weight, this means with everyhting in it!

So when you are loaded up for a holiday with fuel passenges luggage etc the gross weight of your T2 will be consdierably higher!

an average peson weighs in at 70 kilos so 4 people = 280K plus fuel etc.

so you could easily add half a tonne to your gross weight, before you even think about the caravan!

so load it all up and head for a weigh bridge!

i know nothing about your driving licence or the rules though

but as far as i know all the 80% and 85% ruls are guidance only they are not the law! as for the ratio of weight between towing vehicle and caravan LAW I dont beleive there is one

[zippy656]

very true only a guide line. 85%..

[mully]

Gross vehicle weight of Terrano plus MAM (max authorised mass) of caravan it will mean you will above 3500kg. My Terrano has a GVW of 27000 kg and my 4 berth caravan has a MAM of 1425 = 4125kg. I think you will find it all done on the gross weights,my son (22) cant drive my terrano with my van on the back as he will be over the 3500 kg limit but if he puts it behind his ford c max hes ok. ie c max GVW 1925 + van 1425 = 3350kgs.

[Deleted account DD]

Originally Posted by PLANK

but as far as i know all the 80% and 85% ruls are guidance only they are not the law! as for the ratio of weight between towing vehicle and caravan LAW I dont beleive there is one

bang on , theyre the good practice guidelines. I cant recall what top end tow rating is on the TII but 2.5 tonnes rings a bell so you can lawfully tow up to that (providing your licence covers it)

If you think about it you see various 4 x 4s towing some hefty loads for bussiness. I'm thinking mini diggers, "twin berth" horse boxes and building equipment. If they stuck to 80% they wouldnt get much in but up to the 3.5tonnes as it is on mine, you can crack on with your bussiness.

I do think the 85% is a good rule of thumb because the dog should wag the tail , but its nice to know youve got a safe and lawful margin for those extras if your maths is wrong.

[MudLifeCrisis]

From this months caravan club magazine.

A person who first passed their test on or after 1 January 1997 is restricted to a combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 3500kg – ie the MAM of the caravan plus the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Also the trailer MAM
must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (the 85% ratio remains strongly recommended, unless the vehicle manufacturer’s towing limit is lower, of course).
If this MAM is to be exceeded, an E test pass is required. A list of B+E test driving instructors can be found in the ‘Practical advice’ section on the club’ website (caravanclub.co.uk).
The Driving Instructors’ Association also has a list of qualified driving instructors who can tutor those wishing to take the B+E driving test – see driving.org or call 0845 345 5151.
The cost of taking the test is currently £115 (weekdays) or £141 (weekday
evenings and weekends).
Note: Individuals concerned that they cannot tow a caravan because they have not passed the B+E driving test may not have cause to worry.
Most ‘ordinary’ cars – eg Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra/Signum and VW Passat turbodiesels – towing 85% of their respective kerbweights, will be well within 3500kg MAM.
In other words, the majority of caravanners who passed their test on or after 1 January 1997 will not need to take the B+E test unless they choose to tow with a heavy 4x4 or van.
If in doubt, contact the Club’s Technical/Information department, where a member of staff will be pleased to offer specific advice.
Members may wish to know that consultation on the ‘implementation of the Third Driving Licence Directive’ into UK law is now ongoing. While this
will not affect existing licences, proposals include an option to introduce an intermediate level of towing qualification (between ‘B’ and ‘B+E’) to allow drivers who undergo specified training to tow slightly heavier combination (4250kg).
Anyone wanting more details on this (or wanting to contribute a view to the consultation) should look on the Department for Transport website at dft.gov.uk under ‘Consultations’
and ‘Open consultations’. The Club will be submitting a response on behalf of members before the deadline of 5 February and quote your membership number

JENNY NORTON
Information Department, The Caravan Club,
East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West
Sussex RH19 1UA





I think you will have to take the test

Brian

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

theres more..

for a group b gvw 3500 can tow 750 kg ie tain 4250

BUT if trailer > 750 then combi max is 3500

AND its always gross of tug and trailer in calculations.

SO looks like you might well ok will need the +E but
worth having as means can tow at gross trailer weight
of tug then, usually a t2 is 2800kg for trailer and 3500
for a troll.

[MudLifeCrisis]

It's rubbish isn't it. Cars have a towing limit , that should be it.


More nanny state.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

hey dont get me started on limits,

dvla put me on a medical licence at one point limit group b, lost my c1, my bus
my livelyhood.

but kept b+e so tell me whats safer a 7.5 tonne wagon or a 3.5t b and 3.5t e.

my c1 has been restored now kindly, presume as had on grandfather rights
before illness but kissed goodbye to my hard earned and paid for class 1 bus
ticket. ironically though think i can drive a vintage bus subject to limit of 8
passengers not for higher/reward.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Originally Posted by mully

Gross vehicle weight of Terrano plus MAM (max authorised mass) of caravan it will mean you will above 3500kg. My Terrano has a GVW of 27000 kg and my 4 berth caravan has a MAM of 1425 = 4125kg. I think you will find it all done on the gross weights,my son (22) cant drive my terrano with my van on the back as he will be over the 3500 kg limit but if he puts it behind his ford c max hes ok. ie c max GVW 1925 + van 1425 = 3350kgs.

now that shows crassness of it the t2 will be a better anchor to the van atleast
based on kerb or gross weight you would imagine.

related issue is tug really pulling full weight of van as it is carrying the nose weight.
might not sound much but could be as much as 75-100-140 kg. be interesting
applying that to some of the near the line outfits...

oh and some 4x4s that could virtually carry the caravan or a great chunk if there
was a way to transfer the weight. might help group b only licences. wonder how
those fifth wheel vans go on as they have some serious noseweights maybe upto
a tonne.