golf plus tow limits

[rodie]

hI we have a 2006 20dti golf plus , it sayes it can tow 1400kg on v5 but in vw tech sayes 1400kg up to 16% hills ,but can tow 1700kg on 8%hills , we have a caravan ,a swift challenger 550se 2004, 1260kg empty 1480kg full , we want to part fill it 1300kg and towit to france to leave it there (550mls down) , car will have 2 adults and 2 babys , but not owerloaded , do you think this is ok ? i hav been told no, please help
rod

[Ben]

no problem.

1300 is within weight.

Similar scinareo, father in law has motor home, a 55 reg fiat panda, and as a result of a couple of visits to the local weigh bridge to weigh panda and motorhome, plus a phone call to the company who fit 'a' frames to get that weight, he found he was enough inside the total weight that he can also put 2 bikes on the motorhome and 2 canoes on the roof of the panda.


EDIT, the v5 say 1400kg, there you go. When was the last time you saw a french gendarme? i'm sure you won't be bothered.

[rodie]

i was told to go to weigh bridge also , all the caravan forums say its too heavy for car ,as caravan CAN carry 1480 kg ? im just worried as if i tow it to france and get stopped

[STEWY L]

in "the good old days" when the kids were young,i used to drag a caravan overnight down to cornwall. in those days the "rule of thumb" was 85%.
i.e. the gross weight of van to be no more than 85% of the kerb weight of towing vehicle.
this allowed a large tollerance for safety,and peace of mind.
just because the car is capable of towing "x" doesn't mean that it would be comfortable doing it.
better to keep your heart in the chest cavity,rather than in your mouth!!!
regards,
stewy.

[Ben]

liken it to my lorry.

empty it weighs 10500KG (10.5ton) my maximun laden weight is 26000kg.

I can go over a 17ton weight limited bridge with a load of 6.5ton.

therefore i will be loaded 9000kg within my limit

if your 'van is only going to weigh 1300 then IMHO you are legal, loaded within 180kg of your 'vans limit and 100kg of the cars limit.