Sat-nav

[BTB 500]

I have just looked up the trailer weight in the manual.It says for a braked trailer - 1500.I take it that this is kilo's but is that the weight of the trailer unladen or the weight of the trailer and load.

That's the maximum weight in kg (trailer and load) you can legally tow with that car.

There will also be a 'noseweight limit' ... that's the maximum downward load the trailer should put on the towbar. Trailers are normally loaded to be a little nose-heavy because it helps stability (and if it's a 2-wheeled trailer it stops it doing a backflip when you un-hitch ). If you over-do this noseweight the rear suspension of the car will be flattened and the handling will go to pot. You may also over-stress the suspension and/or the bodyshell where the towbar attaches.

 

[Darrell]

This trailer lark is more hassle than I thought.

 

[blackbeast]

i know that your not to toe in a C43

Joby.

 

[fredfloggle]

Cheers guys,I had a Navman in my van but some t**d nicked it.
Going on from my previous post about our forthcoming move,we were looking to buy a Pajero to drive over but as our w202 is running so well and is in such good nick we are now considering taking it instead.The one good thing is that all the islands taxi's are E and C classes so servicing shouldn't be a problem.I want to tow a box trailer over with me and have looking at a 10ft x 5ft x 6ft.Is this ok to pull behind a c180? I am planning to take it dead easy speed-wise (I am in no hurry) or should I look at maybe a smaller trailer?

I've got just the Pajero for you - and you can get the Hardtop to go with it in Greece.

I bought a Pioneer ACIS satnav - cheap and really good with full mapping.

 

[gaz_l]

That's the maximum weight in kg (trailer and load) you can legally tow with that car.

There will also be a 'noseweight limit' ... that's the maximum downward load the trailer should put on the towbar. Trailers are normally loaded to be a little nose-heavy because it helps stability (and if it's a 2-wheeled trailer it stops it doing a backflip when you un-hitch ). If you over-do this noseweight the rear suspension of the car will be flattened and the handling will go to pot. You may also over-stress the suspension and/or the bodyshell where the towbar attaches.

Good point.. a good rule of thumb when loading a trailer is to aim for 75Kg preponderance (aka "noseweight"). Particularly important if you're going to be towing across Europe, not so critical for a quick trip to the dump .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[BTB 500]

a good rule of thumb when loading a trailer is to aim for 75Kg preponderance (aka "noseweight").

The normal guide is 7% of the laden trailer weight, so 70 kg for a 1000 kg trailer. Problem is that some cars have pretty low noseweight limits ... 50 kg isn't that unusual. Noseweight is one of the things the Police check when they do roadside spot checks (targeting popular caravan routes in the summer).

 

[Darrell]

So does this mean that I should load up the trailer so there is just 50-75kilos (or whatever the correct weight is) at the front?

 

[BTB 500]

So does this mean that I should load up the trailer so there is just 50-75kilos (or whatever the correct weight is) at the front?

Yup. Look up what your car's noseweight limit is (in the handbook), and load to that. To measure the noseweight you can use a commercially available gauge or bathroom scales (with a piece of thick ply or similar to spead the load). Place a piece of wood between the tow hitch and the board on the scales, then wind the jockey wheel up and the scales will show the noseweight. It's not critical down to the last kilo, but you should know roughly what it is.

 

[gaz_l]

The normal guide is 7% of the laden trailer weight, so 70 kg for a 1000 kg trailer. Problem is that some cars have pretty low noseweight limits ... 50 kg isn't that unusual. Noseweight is one of the things the Police check when they do roadside spot checks (targeting popular caravan routes in the summer).

Useful info. I don't tow that often, and if I have to then prefer to use something large, heavy and 4 wheel drive as a prime mover. Discoverys aren't fussy about a few kilos here or there...

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Darrell]

Ok,so know at least I know what to look for when buying.An 8ft X 5ft X 6ft will fit the bill.This size trailer seems to weigh in at about 500 kg which leaves me no more than a ton to put in the back.Next question is when it is loaded,other than take it to a weighbridge,how will I know when it's at it's limit?

 

[BTB 500]

Next question is when it is loaded,other than take it to a weighbridge,how will I know when it's at it's limit?

Yes, you need to take it to a weighbridge.

 

[BTB 500]

I don't tow that often, and if I have to then prefer to use something large, heavy and 4 wheel drive as a prime mover. Discoverys aren't fussy about a few kilos here or there...

Yup, no substitute for a heavy towcar as far as stability goes. Long wheelbase and a short rear overhang both help too