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Hi there, I've done a bit of Googling for this, but haven't got anywhere. I've always wondered how the towing capacity of a vehicle is calculated by the vehicle manufacturer. I believe that it is a function of gradability, and to a lesser extent, engine power, but are any other criteria specific to the vehicle taken into account? Any one know?
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After some thought, 'gradeability' is surely the correct spelling?
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No matter what manufactures recomend i always go by the caravan club recomendations that what ever you tow should not be more than 80% of the weight of the tow vehicle.
Ok i confess i'm a caravaner & own a rover!... Does that mean that i cpould be banned from this forum!
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Ok i confess i'm a caravaner & own a rover!... Does that mean that i cpould be banned from this forum!
For admitting to owning a Rover, definitely! ;-)
--
L\'escargot.
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It should be by and is by law what the manufacturers say.
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Andy, have a look at the Highway Code...Anyway, that's not why I asked, I'm just interested in how the towing weight for a vehicle is worked out.
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Thanks HJ, that's what I was after, do you know if a physical test is performed, or is it a theoretical calculation? I've got an image of lots of people sitting in a car whilst someone keeps adding weights to a trailer...
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Although I don't know this for a fact, I would be extremely surprised if this were tested rather than being calculated.
However, there were calibrated test hills at MIRA when I was last there 7 years ago.
Number_Cruncher
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The Caravan Club recommendations are primarily for er.. towing caravans.
The stability of a combination is more down to number axles and the way it's loaded than simply the weight.
I think the manufacturers' calculations are the based on the ability to start on a 12% gradient (approx 1:8).
Consequently, my Shogun Sport is so low geared that its max tow is way over its kerb weight!
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