XSeries-forum

Need to know for towing caravan !

Hi, can't give the full answer but I tow a twin axle at approx 1650kg with the missus full wardrobe, so prob touching 1800kgs and it is rock solid in all conditions. Did check the figures in detail before buying and seem to remember that any caravan below 2000kgs was fine.

Matt


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Hey thanks it's not the pulling power , it's because I passed my driving test after 1st march 1997 so I only have a 3500 kg limit , went for the test yesterday a failed so I'll just get a van under 1400 kg !?

The weight of you caravan is on the small plaque just next to the bottom of your entrance door. I also tow an Avondale Dart and the max weight is approx 1250kg IIRC.
I'm an old g*t and I passed my test in the dark ages so fortunately it doesn't affect me.

The X5 weight is in the handbook (near the back) Somewhere around 2100kgs if memory serves....so yes you'll need to watch the van weight, or have another go at a test.

The plate under the bonnet shows
Gross Laden weight of an X5 the Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW
Max train weight of laden X5 and laden trailer. The Gross Train Weight or GTW
Gross single axle load limit 1. I think it's the front?
Gross single axle load limit 2. I think this one is the rear?

If you take the weight in the handbook off the top plated figure under the bonnet, that tells you the payload an X5 can carry internally (fuel, you, other persons, shopping etc)

I took my tests along with Pontius and his mates. Bike (Fail), Car (Pass), Bike (Pass). No CBT or accompanied bike tests in those days (1980). It was ride around the block looking for the bloke in a mac with a clipboard. You could go straight from a 125cc to anything you liked. I bought a car

Just checked mine and it says 2160 kgs with a manual box, 2170 kgs with Auto, for a 3.0 D

Remember that the licence limit is for the Gross Train Weight, that means everything including passengers, fuel, luggage, other stuff you are carrying. It is not the empty weight of the X5 plus the empty weight of the caravan or trailer. Don't get caught out by that little nuance.

yeh so as above if the gvw of the x5 is 2695kg the van has to be 705kg=less caravan and more a tent on a wheel barrow

[quote=""Brutus""]
I'm an old g*t and I passed my test in the dark ages so fortunately it doesn't affect me.[/quote]

Just had a look at my licence, it appears I can do the old overall total of 8250kg max. That would be quite some setup


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The caravan in the pic is my dads if I buy one under 1330 I'm fine ????? Abbey vogue gts unladen 1170 full loaded 1340 I'll just leave the dog at home lol ??? I'm I right tho

dont know if you go on dvla it says you have to add everything together on that mam maximum authorised mass, i had all this (passed 2002) but i have a c+e now so doesnt affect me!

[quote=""wilkoturbo""]The caravan in the pic is my dads if I buy one under 1330 I'm fine ????? Abbey vogue gts unladen 1170 full loaded 1340 I'll just leave the dog at home lol ??? I'm I right tho [/quote]

MAM, or GTW as was, is 4050 for that lot, so you're over by 550kgs.

2695 + 1340

Have a look at the Caravan Club site if you've not long since been there already ( ) and see what they can offer in terms of the latest gen around licensing etc.

The E-test looks to have all sorts of fun bits to it! Courtesy of the Caravan Club........Mods remove if any rules are being shattered please..

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1761 ... y%2007.pdf

A bit off topic, but I know the changes due in 2004 meant our Landrover Disco's (had a fleet of 25) had to have tacho's fitted because of the GTW of our combos - bl@@dy great trailer masts - and the drivers hours regs were going to cause havoc with our 'Safety of Life' deployments - anywhere/anytime in the UK. We had to go with a four person crew and two vehicles per deployment instead of 2 and 1. All because we lost the 'UK Government Department' status. Sometimes I'm glad they made me redundant!!

the gtw is the 5515 so its ok on that front, its his liscense that restricts him to 3500kg so that combo is over for him but fine for a pre 1997 pass or a class 1 like mine, as for the tacho issue that only comes in if its 'for hire or reward', but tbh most of the police dont know the rules so as long as you dont look dodgy which an x5 would not you would probly be ok unless you happen something then the s**t would hit the fan. just a question if youre investing in becoming a caravanist why not just take youre b+e test then you have it for life and you can tow any combo of caravan??

Wilko said he took the test but didn't make it.....

Yeah I failed it but I've had a caravan over weight for years I might book my test again

[quote=""shadrack""].......... as for the tacho issue that only comes in if its 'for hire or reward'[/quote]

Which was our problem. Crown Agents are exempt, and as we did a lot of work that came under the 'Hire & Reward' the change of status and loss of Crown Agent when the Agency was privatised - well Quango'd - meant that all the commercial rules then applied. Tachos, Drivers Hours, Operators Licences.......