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My wife would like a caravan. We went to a dealer today and according to them my car is unsuitable towing for 95% of current caravans. I have an Audi A5 136ps 2.0tdi and it has a kerb weight of 1595kg. What's confusing me is that some information says you are OK to tow a caravan up to 85% of the kerb weight of the car (1355kg in this case) but the maximum towing weight listed for this car is 1300kg and the caravan dealer said that I should be towing a caravan that is 85% of that which is 1105kg. There aren't many caravans that are 1105kg but there are quite a few at 1355kg or less so if there are any experienced towers out there which figure would you go by?
Sorry for the drawn out explanation but I wanted to give as much info' as I could.
85% of kerbweight is the guidance, especially for people new to towing.
However the maximum towing weight should be the guidance here; I believe it's illegal to tow more than this. My car is 1950kg ish, but the maximum towing weight is 2000kg. I "could" legally tow 2000kg, but I'd prefer to err on the safe side and keep it under 1700kg or so.
So... 1300kg should be your maximum - it's the MTPLM figure you look at by the way (MTPLM = maximum technical permissible laden mass, i.e. mass of caravan, plus an allowance for payload).
Also, depending on when you passed your test, you may need an extra test, depending on the combined mass of car and caravan I believe (although being old I can tow on my standard license)
setting off uphill is the killer
Go with 1300.
im a tree surgeon pulling chippers weighing from 750kg to 3500kg. in my honest opinion the A5 is not the tool for the job. having seen 2 crashed with caravans on the motorways this year...... if your experienced with towing and dont mind a very slight chance of crashing (i understand they crash well?) then crack on with a 1300KG max tow - manufacturers recommendations is our benchmark - trust ze germans.
Thanks for the replies everyone, food for thought. I can't change my car andyinthorne as it's a company car so I either go careful or wait until the lease ends and change for a better tower.