Car to caravan weight ratios

Your tow car to van ratio will be fine. The thing to be sure of is not to overload that caravan. It's surprising how all the bits and pieces add to its weight. As has been suggested, take it along to a weigh bridge to make sure you're within your vans axle limit.

Posted on 30/01/2017 17:23 by ocsid

As a guide it is best the noseweight is near touching as high as the kit will allow.

Thanks for your replies, I feel more comfortable now.  We went back to see it again today and made sure the bed was OK for my husband, and take measurements and so on.  We are going to go ahead with it so I'm very excited.  My parents caravanned throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s and I remember it well. 

I do need to gen up on noseweight information - I'm afraid I haven't a clue what 'touching as high' means  :-) but I will find out.  Thanks again.  

If you haven’t already looked there’s lots of info on the drop down menus at the top of this page.  Enjoy your research.

Actually your weight ratio is so good thatyou may have the reverse problem of forgetting you've got a caravan on the back.No joking either, especially as it's a small van. Hope you enjoy the experience. We have an Ariva just like yours and have taken in all over Europe so don't worry. With it being slimmer than most vans you should find the maxim of "If the car with towing mirrors can fit through that gap then the caravan will (in a straight line)."

I do need to gen up on noseweight information - I'm afraid I haven't a clue what 'touching as high' means :-) but I will find out.

Sorry to not be specific; let's see if I can help without writing too much.

The caravan's chassis and hitch typically have the ability to be loaded to 100kgs. Cars can be anything with values like 70, 80 100 and 150 kgs. 

Towbars are generally at least what the car is or the fitter picked the wrong one.

Say your car specification says 70 kgs [just a guess] then despite everything else 70 is the maximum that can be used. I would work on getting the actual up to virtually that, 65kgs ie in my speak "touching as high as possible".

Incidentally, with your van's 1000 kgs max weight a 70 kg noseweight is close to the old school guide figure of 7% as possible.

Given your vans weight, I would try to keep at or above 60kgs; I am a great believer in keeping nose weights as high as sensible, there being no merit in light weights here if you are not forced into it.

Failed, wrote too much!

Hi Kath. I have been towing since 1980. All I need to say is aim for a noseweight top side of 65kg and enjoy, toeing should present little problem. Remembering when I started towing I used to think that the vehicle behind was too close and then realised it was the caravan and moved the mirror, Get decent tiw mirrors tu see down the side of the caravan and enjoy

We had an Ariva for three years towed all over Europe, you will not have any problem towing it with your car. The van does actually tow perfectly OK completely empty but as per previous post taking your intended gas bottle is probably wise. The Ariva is a good starter van barely wider than your car and short in length but the payload is small so you do have to be careful on loading, heavy items are best placed in car,the noseweight due to its short length is`nt a problem provided items are distributed sensibly.

Are you sure that the Zafira kerbweight is 1780kg.  I have an Smax 7 seater and mine is only 1725 Kg and is much bigger?

My first year of going to France I found I had some instability. Once I put  as much weight in the boot as possible and checked the nose weight was right, not either too light nor heavy I found it was beautifully stable and I didn't have Alko Atc etc

Thanks.  I think the handbook says the kerbweight it is 1788kgs. We do have the heaviest model in the handbook as it's the 2L, automatic diesel.  I remember being quite surprised. It's also 168bhp.  I was looking for something chunky but not quite a 4x4.  I have been warned I might forget it's there but that's not likely at first...

I am taking the plunge tomorrow morning.  I've already had the dealer on the phone as someone else was after it.  We get a starter pack and a second hand full size awning too so I feel like I'm made up and ready to go!  Broadway open-all-year-round site here we come!

kath

Hope all goes well at handover.  They should show you how everything works & tell you about the warranty.  Don't be afraid to ask them questions if you are unsure.  Enjoy Broadway it's a great site.  Good luck.