Towing with an Invader

[roymck]

Anybody know what the towing capacity is with a Invader . Thanks

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi, I think, but would be prepared to be corrected, that legally it is 85% of the cars unladen weight (ULW) to be able to tow at 60m.p.h. If you go higher than 85% and the vehicle has the ability to tow that weight (e.g. Land Rovers) you are limited to 40m.p.h.
The tow-bar and it's fitting to the chassis would be a deciding factor I would have thought. We have a MK3 towing attachment and a made up tow-bar for earlier cars in stock but I would not like to tow anything with them without modification.
Gavin

[Tony Hayward]

Gavin (and others)

I have done a little research into towing (I tow a trailer occasionally, and I know you do Gavin).

1) The '85% rule' is not legislated, but a recommendation that states that the weight of the loaded caravan should be no more than 85% of the cars kerbweight. Source: What Tow car.

2) If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. View your driving licence information to check.Source: Gov.uk.

3) Licences issued from 1 January 1997
If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can:
• drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
• tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
There are usually two maximum towing weights that will be specified: a braked trailer weight and an unbraked one. It’s important to note that if the trailer weight is more than 750kg or over half the car’s kerb weight (this is the weight of the car without people or luggage inside and should be listed in the manual), the trailer must be fitted with brakes. Source: Parkers.

4) If the mass of the caravan is 85% or less of the car’s kerbweight, the car will tow it with ease. Source: RAC.

So the result of all this is: we should'nt be towing???
And lastly, as you said Gavin, the rear of the car needs strengthening for anything more than a small trailer-I did this with some 40mm box section under the car picking up the main rails just behind the wheels.

Tony

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Tony, I decided to do some checking after the initial post and have found the same notes and conclusions that you have. In the back of my mind was something about a change of regs for unbraked trailers but I did not find anything specific.
One bit that does concern is the part about vehicles without a VIN plate being unable to tow (because the plate shows appropriate weights and capacities),as, as you say I also tow a small unbraked trailer sometimes. This requirement is in the DVLA Towing requirements and must surely have a cut off date but where? There are many cars that pre-date VIN Plates (when did they come in?) towing trailers of varying sorts on the road, are we all breaking the Law?
More investigation needed!
Gavin