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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.
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.
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.
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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