Towing Capacity

What is the all up plated weight of your van? (Have you ever weighed it to be sure you haven’t overloaded it?) What is the nose weight of your van in road going trim?

Once you have established the answers then you can start considering cars.

You will need a car with sufficient kerb weight so that the plated total weight (MTPLM) of the van is about 85% of the car's kerb weight. You will also need a car capable of carrying your van's nose weight.

MTPLM of the van is 1468kg according to the swift specification sheet .

Google is your friend. I found this link

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/2013/new-caravans/Sprite_Major_4_FB_4b_2013.html

Which gives you the mptlm. If that is not your van just do the search yourself with different criteria.

There you go then, you’re already part way towards working out what you need.

A car with kerb weight around 1750kg will fit the bill in that respect. Only nose weight to check now but be sure you don't overload that van or you're in danger of falling foul of the law.

we have the same van but the TD version but same weight (more or less). Agree with above but we towed with a 2l petrol before now a 2.2L diesel and wow, the diesel is so much better with much more pulling power lower down.

Even more important is that the car with a kerbweight of 1750kg+ has a manufacturer's max. towload limit of at least 1468kg. That can't always be taken for granted.

Thanks for the replies , ive tried looking at the towing capacity `rules` so to speak and boy they are confusing .

My current vehicles kerb weight is 1989kg which from what I can work out is fine .

The `new` vehicle I'm looking at has a kerb weight is 1578kg which maybe unsuitable yes ?

SJ

Without knowing any more about it, I would say that proposed vehicle is definitely unsuitable.

As Lutz pointed out, you also need to stay within the max towing weight stipulated by the vehicle manufacturer. To exceed it would put you in breach of the law, as would towing without the appropriate class of driving licence.

Yes I thought as much but its all rather confusing , appreciate your help though .

It’s not really confusing, sj. You can learn from forums and internet searches - in particular, the Government websites. We have covered most of it here.