Kerb weight vs max towing weight - braked

The max towing weight is a figure set by the manufacturer stating the maximum the car is capable of pulling in certain circumstances. It does not mean it is sensible or safe to tow that weight on the road.

If you stick to around 85% of the car's kerb weight, you won’t go too far wrong. It is only a recommendation, not a rule, so you have some scope for common sense variations. I’ve not yet come across a car that doesn't have the kerb weight stated somewhere in the brochure or website. I suspect it’s a legal requirement that the weight is stated.

Max. towing weight and kerbweight are completely independent of each other. The max. towing weight figure is determined by the car manufacturer on the basis of tests. Regulations specify minimum requirements regarding the ability to start a number of times on a 12% gradient  but any self-respecting manufacturer will carry out a lot more than that, including braking and handling tests as well as making sure that engine cooling performance is adequate.

Some cars have a max. towing weight less than 85% of its kerbweight, so check first.

As per Tinwheeler some heavier SUV`s in particular have a max towing weight far in excess of the 85% of the kerbweight the weight which is normally considered safe for novice towers to work to. The manufacturer gives the max towing limit based on the cars mechanical capabilities e.g. braking clutch engine power etc. Obviously if you are towing a caravan that is well under the max towing weight it is to your advantage from a wear and tear aspect.

My 2012 Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 handbook states 1,495kg, (unloaded weight ready for work!!!!!!), that weight is on the V5C mass in service, tow limit of 1,600kg. My van mtplm is 1,318kg, giving 88% ratio, the C&CC matching service also gives 88%, C&MC matching service gives it 92% ratio. For me it tows very well, very stable, with 75kg noseweight.

The newer model is about 75kg lighter with a 2,000kg tow limit.

Just a note:

The V5c mass in service is not exactly the same as kerbweight, but for most intents and purposes it will do. In fact, manufacturers often refer to mass in service as kerbweight, which of course adds to the confusion.

Thanks for the responses, I understand it better now.

I did not find the kerb weight of the Insignia and even google didn't help so I eventually downloaded a car manual which did have it. So now I can try to find a match, and maybe try and find some insignia owners that tow for some advice!

In response to Chris Rogers comment about C&MC vs C&CC matching service I wonder why the percentages are different? My current car comes up at 92% on C&MC because its limited with it being a 7 seater but I want to downsize and I'm really struggling to find something suitable, to get close the magic 85% it appears I have to find a car with a kerb weight of 1650+ and there's not a lot of cars out there to fit my budget.

Kerbweight is specific to each and every car. Any published data can therefore only be a rough guide. Besides, manufacturers aren't under any obligation to provide true kerbweight figures, so they are hard to come by. Usually, the figures that you find in brochures, handbooks, websites are based on the mass in service figure, but these can differ from actual kerbweight by up to 150kg, usually on the low side. This means that any weight ratio that you may have calculated based on figures that you have found will at least be on the conservative side.

Depending on where the matching service has got its information from, variances of 4% like the one that you have come across are not unusual, bearing in mind that their figures can only be a rough guide anyway. The weights that car manufacturers are legally required to provide do not include kerbweight. Without knowing the actual kerbweight of your particular car, you can't expect anything more accurate.

Certainly the kerbweight is not easy to find for our tow car; not shown on plate or documents and the CC checker is well out for ours.