Gross Weight Question

[Andy-Blackpool]

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/forum/showthread.php?t=1418&highlight=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).

 

[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

 

[walshie]

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]

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]

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.

 

[wildbri]

And there is more...... once you reach 70 years of age your towing weight is restricted... bri

 

[vatco]

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.

As we understand it the laws for 5vers (fifth wheel) are the same. But we see many that don't seem to take the law into account and get away with it. Same as we do with trailer caravans. With a fifth wheel you can tow so long as you have the correct cat on your licence (i.e. can pull a trailer) and if you can drive up to 7.5 tons then your train weight can be as high as 12 ton with a max length of 60 ft (in n round figures)

Fact is mostly Plod doesn’t know the law on trailers (they may think they do though). One plod tried to take me off the road once because I had a trailer with electric brakes and because it had no sliding hitch, he tried to do me for having an overweight unbaked trailer :doh
He was going to GV9 it and called for inspection.
We stated that the trailer had a legal braking system and that it was fully working.
Furthermore if they GV9'd me incorrectly and irresponsibly they would be liable for losses, costs etc. So they elected (wisely) not to and gave me a ticket instead
It never went to court ..... We never even produced an engineer’s inspection we just sent in copies of the relevant law concerning trailer brakes

VOSA is a little more dangerous but not much. If you have a 4x4 and it doesn’t have a designed restricted towing weight you can pretty well do what you like because there is a loophole somewhere you just have to find it and crawl through it.

Twice noe I have managed to be allowed to continue when threatened with a GV9 because I have just politely but firmly pointed out the error of the plods ways and suggested that they do not need to be wrong because if they are then.................

Being sensible and looking like you know what you are doing goes a long way to solving side of the road stops

As for transferring the nose weight of the caravan as vehicle payload. This doesn't work..........It has been tried and it was decided that the regs where designed to take this into account. Indeed you will find that newer vehicles often quote allowed hitch weight as well as gross trailer weight. Another thing that needs to be taken into account is that the regs are mostly designed around max laden weight of the trailer and not, as many think, the curb weight.

80% is a good rule but can be chucked outa the window if you know what you are about. Where 4x4's are concerned for the average driver we are more cautious about the wheelbase of the tug as most can pull weight quite safely. However when you are at the wheel of a shortie and the trailer decides to wag its tail it can be very hard work to get it back in a hurry if at all. Light modern caravans with central axles and hardly any nose weight are more prone to doing there own thing and many folk don't bother to load properly or do things like check hitch height when laden, check tire pressures and condition etc.
As for brakes A lot of Tin Tent Pullers are completely oblivious to their trailer brakes. We see everything from non existant (literally! the owner had removed all working parts in the drums because they where " making a 'orible noise" ) to incorectly adjusted to the point where they would lock at any speed below 40mph :doh
More caravan accidents are caused by these points than anything else. So much so that there is talk of an MOT for Caravans.
While this would be a pain for the more sensible of us it is a good thing for many

One final word that many overlook is EXAMINE your insurance pol. Make sure you have adequate cover. You would be supprised at the number of folk that think they have but havn't

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

think vatco you'll find limit on a 7.5 tonne licence presume you mean c1 is 8250 with
a +e entitlement as i recall a c1 can tow upto 750 kg so 8250 and a c1+e whilst still
8250 means truck can be less and more trailer.

its possible to take a further test that takes gtw to 12000kg. aimed at 7.5t trucks
pulling a matching trailer. not many of these outfits on road. tbh most ive seen
are from mainland europe.

suspect there are a lot of say 7.5t tippers tugging mini diggers incorrectly without
the enhanced c1+e ticket.

oh and for good measure a c1's 'e' differs in size from a d1(minibus)'s 'e' just like
it does for c(big truck/lgv/former class2 hgv) and d(bus).

 

[Deleted account DD]

its possible to take a further test that takes gtw to 12000kg. aimed at 7.5t trucks
pulling a matching trailer. not many of these outfits on road. tbh most ive seen
are from mainland europe.

Fair few do the hazardous packaged goods transport between here and Rotterdam :thumb2

 

[Deleted account DD]

looking like you know what you are doing goes a long way to solving side of the road stops

We havent met have we :augie

Many have tried, very few succeeded

Only joking, on a more serious note theres a lot of cops who wont admit they dont know. I dont follow that. My phone is laden with decent contacts and when we cant sort it, its off the the jolly old DfT.

I wish more would do that instead of embarrassing themselves.