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Witter
Towsure

 

What can you Tow?

It's recommended that you do not exceed 85% of the kerb weight. This means that your caravan when it's fully loaded should not be more than 85% of your cars kerb weight or maximum tow weight if this is lower.  If you are an experienced tower you can go up to 100% of your cars kerb weight providing this does not exceed the cars maximum tow weight, but this is not recommended. For safe towing, the loaded caravan should never be heavier than the tow car. If the caravan exceeds the kerb weight of the car and you are stopped by the Police you may well be prosecuted

How much is 85% of the cars kerb weight ?

Here's how you can work out 85% of your car's kerb weight  (check your car handbook for kerb weight)
First take the car's kerb weight ÷ 100 = this gives you 1% of the car's kerb weight 
 x 85 = this gives you 85% of car's kerb weight

e.g If your car weighs 1600kg then 1% of the kerb weight is 16kg.
multiply by 85 gives you an 85% kerb weight of 1360kg. So your loaded caravan should ideally weigh no more than1360kg.

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What other factors should I Consider?

Maximum Size of Caravan or Trailer
If the towing vehicle is an ordinary car and not a goods vehicle. The overall length of the Caravan or Trailer must not exceed 7m, excluding A-frame and hitch and the maximum width of the Caravan or Trailer should not exceed 2.3m.

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Having considered weight and size what other factors should I consider?

Check that the car engine is large enough to tow the trailer, and don't forget the trailer load.

Remember the ability of the car to pull the caravan is important but even more important is its ability to stop it, so make sure the brakes are adequate to stop the combined load.

Links

Towbar Manufactuers and Suppliers

Witter Towbars
Dixon-Bate Ltd
Anker Towbars Ltd
Towsure Products Ltd
Towtrust Towbars
 

 

 

  What other things should I consider when towing for the first time.

Speed limits

The maximum speed that a car towing a caravan or trailer is 60mph on UK motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph on other  roads providing there are  no lower speed limits in force at the time.

Towing vehicles are not allowed to use the right-hand, overtaking lane of a three lane carriageway.

 

 
  Technical Stuff

Connecting cables

Most UK caravans are fitted with two plug connectors, a 12N (black) and a 12S (grey) plug. The 12N plug connects all your car's warning systems:- indicators brakes and main car lights to the caravan . You should always check that the caravan's lights work once this cable has been connected. The 12S plug  allows power from your car's battery to power the caravan's fridge and recharge your caravan's leisure battery while towing.  Make sure these cables when connected do not drag on the road.

The table below shows the circuits operated via each core of the 7 pin 12N and 12S Sockets. Circuits should be connected via  approved relays which are available with DIY kits or as separate items from many suppliers.

 

Wiring for 12N and 12S Sockets with wire colour and pin numbers

12N Black Socket 12S Grey Socket
1 Left Indicator 1 Reverse Light
2 Fog 2 Battery Charge
3 Earth 3 Earth
4 Right indicator 4 Power feed
5 Right side light 5 Spare
6 Brake 6 Fridge
7 Left side light 7 Earth

 

 

 
     
 

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