Weights and the law

Why not take the B+E test then there'd be no worries?

Probably the only way to be sure of your total weight is to take the combination to a weighbridge and check it. The problem then is it is too late if you have bought the car. You could try to weigh the fully loaded caravan and see what you are towing before deciding what to buy but you rarely carry exactly the same things twice so make sure it is carrying the maximum amount.

If you go ahead I would always travel with the water tank empty as water is very heavy and could take you over the limit.

if its the plated weights that are checked.....and im sure this is what would happen, it makes no difference as you are 'overweight' for your allowed license groups.

if they actually suspected you were physically overweight on either the car or caravan, then they would weight them...but thats a different 'offence'

if you dont have the license to drive more that 3500 combined plated weights, you shouldnt be considering doing this....

no different than me jumping into a HGV without passing the appropriate test....

BB is correct, they will go with the plated weights, so what you are proposing is a non-starter.

1400kg MTPLM is not  a particularly heavy van, you do not need a vehicle over 2 tonnes to tow it.

Look rather at the engine power.

Passing the B+E  test  will extend your choices.

As above, a large saloon or estate would be more than heavy enough and you'd not have the worry of towing over what your licence allows

But then if we go under 2t gross weight we get a warning about the kerb weight / van ratio being high 

We should probably have researched weights of cars a bit more before buying the van. 

There are a couple of cars that work (Q3, X1) which is fine, I just decided to try and look for a hybrid option today but they all seem to be just a tiny bit too heavy.

Your tow car can weigh as little as 1400kg ie the same as your caravan .... not recommend, but that's the stupid regs that allows it ... and as much as 2100kg ie the max 3500 gross weight for licence

Rather than the Aquaroll,Wastemaster and camping chairs, I would be putting in the van the stuff we use in the van........clothes, bedding and food.....and no doubt a few other things. 

To me this makes much more sense!

Load the van to what it can carry, save yourself the hassle of moving things around every time you arrive on a site.

As long as, as MM said, the towcar weighs at least as much as the van, you are legal.  If you want to stick to the 85% recommendation, then the kerbweight of the car needs to be around 1650kg minimum.

My experience is that caravans are always heavier than you think they might be.  My advice would be to take the fully laden van tO a weighbridge to check.  I wouldn't bother weighing each item you put in the van.

David 

Your kerb weight / van ratio is way wrong.  The accepted guidance (recommendation) is that the caravan should be 85% of the vehicle kerb weight.  For your caravan at 1400kg to maintain that ratio you would need a tow car kerb weight of 1648kg.  I don't know how you got the 2100kg weight.