Caravan too heavy for VW Passat?

96griffen replied on 17/06/2018 10:02

96griffen

Posted on 17/06/2018 10:02

I have a 2007 Swift Challenger 510. I don't fully understand the 'weights' which are quoted - MTPLM 1540kg and MIRO 1334kg. I have a new VW Passat 2.0ltr 150PS. I have it in writing from VW that it can tow a 2000kg braked trailer on a 12% incline. But the Club Match Report says the caravan is more than the kerb weight of the car and Police may consider this an unroadworthy combination! Any thoughts? The kerb weight of the Passat is 1505kg

29 replies

replied on 18/06/2018 19:10

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:01 by Cornersteady

no - you should take your foot off the accelarator and let the outfit slow down, and don't brake either.

this is from the CCC take both feet off the pedals to bring down your speed using your car’s engine braking. Avoid the instinct to brake, but keep steering in a straight line. Trying to steer out of the sway can make the problem worse.

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:10

Worked for me. Accelerating or braking at the wrong moment in the caravans sway can increase the snake. For me it is foot off and steer with fingertips as little as possible

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Cornersteady replied on 18/06/2018 19:11

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:11

Only had one snake in 19 years and that was on a section of the A1 M, that we had done many times, but it was over a bridge section much higher than the surrounding land, and a gust of sidewind caught us and the snake started, it was very scary, probably only a few seconds but seemed much longer.

replied on 18/06/2018 19:24

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:24

Most matching sites include 90% fuel and 75kg for driver and kit. I SUSPECT THAT IF YOU WEIGH YOUR TOWCAR IT IS HEAVIER. Sorry about capitalisation. Ceertainly do not rely on CC tow guide! I speak from experience.

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replied on 18/06/2018 19:50

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:01 by Cornersteady

no - you should take your foot off the accelarator and let the outfit slow down, and don't brake either.

this is from the CCC take both feet off the pedals to bring down your speed using your car’s engine braking. Avoid the instinct to brake, but keep steering in a straight line. Trying to steer out of the sway can make the problem worse.

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:50

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Cornersteady replied on 18/06/2018 21:16

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 18/06/2018 19:50 by

I bow to CC Ltd's superior knowledge . However when I was last tugging I had a Volvo with intelligent 4 wheel drive and I left the computers to sort out any problems; not that I was ever aware of any.

Posted on 18/06/2018 21:16

not the CC DD, also been common knowledge for as long as I've been caravaning

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replied on 18/06/2018 21:47

Posted on 18/06/2018 21:16 by Cornersteady

not the CC DD, also been common knowledge for as long as I've been caravaning

Posted on 18/06/2018 21:47

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Cornersteady replied on 18/06/2018 22:09

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 18/06/2018 21:47 by

Must be getting confused with getting out of helicopter ground resonance.

What is CCC?

Posted on 18/06/2018 22:09

seriously?

JVB66 replied on 18/06/2018 22:14

Member

JVB66

Caravanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 18/06/2018 21:47 by

Must be getting confused with getting out of helicopter ground resonance.

What is CCC?

Posted on 18/06/2018 22:14

What,?

1 person likes this

96griffen replied on 19/06/2018 12:39

96griffen

Caravanner

Posted on 19/06/2018 12:39

Thank you all for your comments. I once had a snake with a trailer full of aggregate which was very scary and luckily on an empty road so I don't want that again with a caravan and a busy road!