Car towing capability

That ratio is too high even for me just under 100%.

Over that my caravan insurance is void, not sure how or if it would affect my car insurance.

There is something to stop you towing at >100%.

Common sense.

I don't know what the basis is for your statement, but on the Continent there is no such recommendation. Many tow their caravan at the car's towing limit even if this is over 100% and yet I have not noticed more caravans littering the road on the other side of the Channel than in the UK.

The Jaguar website gives the weight as from 1591kg. Near enough 100% ratio. Just enjoy your caravanning but don't exceed the 60mph speed limit. That could be difficult in a Jag!!

As Tony says, Jag website states from 1591kg. As there are several power variants with either maual or auto boxes at presumably differing weights, until the original poster clarifies which model they have its a little pointless speculating further unfortunately.

Practically every car that comes off the end of the production line weighs different. Websites, brochures, handbooks or any other publication can therefore never be anything more than a rough guide. On the other hand, 50kg either way in the kerbweight figure is not going to make or break an outfit, so there is little point in expecting absolute accuracy in the data.

Besides, few manufacturers, if any, specify kerbweight as it is defined by law anyway. More often than not when they talk about kerbweight, they actually mean mass in service, but the two are not the same.

Regardless of legal or quasi legal definitions, opinion or pure stubbornness there can surely be no justification for towing a trailer with a greater weight than the towing vehicle. Which is more likely to take over if a towing incident occurs (tail wagging dog?).

Don't expect 'in my humble opinion' to carry any weight when your insurance company is looking for a get-out.

So if determined to do it your way make sure there are no clauses in your policy to give them cause. Similarly 'how can they prove it' is dodgy ground. If it's serious enough accident investigators are a lot cuter than most of us in determining cause.

Finally, whilst insurance policies have been mentioned has anyone looked at the Green Flag small print? I quote :-

Caravan and Trailer Cover What’s covered: Your caravan or trailer will have the same cover as the Insured Vehicle when being towed by the Insured Vehicle provided: • The weight of the caravan or trailer when loaded is not more than the kerb weight of the Insured Vehicle.

Food for thought?

Although towing a light caravan relative to the weight of the towcar is undoubtedly less demanding on the driver, the recommendations are purely arbitrary. No-one has ever demonstrated that towing a caravan weighing more than the kerbweight of the car is without qualification recipe for certain disaster.

Besides, in case of dispute with one's insurance company if sailing close to the limit, it would be necessary to have documentary proof of the actual kerbweight of the car. However, as stated before, manufacturer's aren't obliged to provide that figure and for the most part they don't.

In the example quoted above, the insurance company refers to the "weight of the caravan ot trailer when loaded". Presumably that means the actual laden weight, not the MTPLM. To be able to show that the condition that must be satisfied is fulfilled it would be necessary to put the caravan on a weighbridge and provide a printout every time before it is taken out on to the road, which is clearly absurd.

Are you for real? Everything you say flies in the face of logic and recommendations from the club you belong to.

Your comments should come with a health warning.

Incidentally, contrary to your earlier post, kerbweight is not defined in U.K. legislation. There are two definitions which give slightly different values, but use the highest and you're on safe ground.

1) the weight of the vehicle as manufactured, inclusive of liquids, coolant, lubricating oil etc. 

2) the weight of the vehicle as manufactured, inclusive of liquids, coolant, lubricating oil etc. plus a tank of fuel.

In both cases passengers, personal effects and other items are excluded.

Oh dear, R&R. He’s real alright and realistic.