Is It Strong Enough?

hi there, does anybody know if my '91 2ltr turbo 940 estate will be strong enough to tow a horse box and my heavyweight hunter? I did do it many years ago, but i have since been told that the weight regulations have changed on what you are aloud to pull. I am thinking of having a tow bar fitted on it but there's not really much point if i can't use it!

Expect to rev it hard which will wear the turbo out. I am sure it will manage fine really but I would not like to tow reguarly with a 2 litre, even less a 2 litre turbo. I find them gutless. The weight regulations have not really changed, if you have a licence that you got before Jan 1 1997, then you can tow as much as you like but not exceeding the limits stated by the manufacturer of the car and tow bar and it is the maximum laden weight that counts. I.e, if you have a car with a maximum towing weight of 1650 kgs and you have a tow bar rated for 1800 kg, then the maximum you can tow is 1650 kgs. If the trailer then has a maximum laden weight of 1700 kg, you are illegal even if the actual weight of the trailer and load is 1585 kg.

If you are going to tow a lot, get a RR. There is no going back, I promise you.

[Clifford Pope]

I don't get that George. Are you saying it would be illegal to pull the empty trailer, even if the actual towed weight was below the maximum stated by the car manufacturer, and the combined weight was below 3.5 tonnes?

[740Estate]

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/dl_towing_trailers.htm

He's saying you have to have B+E if you dont have 'grandfather rights' (on your driving licence)

..and with regards the vehicle and trailer, that your towbar may say it can take 3 tons in weight. That doesnt mean it can take it, as it is the Vehicle's rating that counts. Similarly if you have a Car rated at 1800kgs maximum laden weight (Car plus trailer) sticking a trailer with a rating of 4 tons on it is naughty and you cant do it, even if you are only carrying a bacon sandwich in it, as the combination exceeds the maximum laden weight

It's all about figures, not physical capabilities

[740Estate]

http://www.gocaravanning.com/towcars/volvo.html

Thats a useful site

[Clifford Pope]

I still don't get it. Are you really saying that it is the theoretical maximum permitted weight that counts, not the actual weight of the trailer plus bacon sandwich? So if the trailer weighed empty say 500 kg, but had a theoretical maximum capacity of 4 tonnes, I still couldn't pull it with my 2 tonne car even if I kept the towed weight down to the recommended 80%, and the combination did not exceed the maximum permitted weight which I think is 3.5 tonnes?
Is the car also assumed to be loaded to its theoretical maximum capacity, or is it the actual loading that counts?
I used to think I understood the towing rules, even though I sometimes break them. Now I find it is as clear as mud!

[I have a nut leftover]

Originally Posted by JOEYBIRD

hi there, does anybody know if my '91 2ltr turbo 940 estate will be strong enough to tow a horse box and my heavyweight hunter? I did do it many years ago, but i have since been told that the weight regulations have changed on what you are aloud to pull. I am thinking of having a tow bar fitted on it but there's not really much point if i can't use it!

If you passed your driving test before Feb 1997 you can legaly tow a trailer weighing up to the "max braked trailer weight" quoted in your owners handbook. (as long as it does have brakes).

Trailers and caravans are not by law "plated vehicles" ie; the MIRO / MPTLM figures are a guide only, and not legaly binding. So if you get pulled over, the police can't use those figures to "do you".

Police will have to take you to a weigh bridge, and proove that you are towing above the weight given in your handbook, before they can prosecute.

As long as the "ACTUAL WEIGHT" of what you tow is within the limits for your car, and you passed your test before Feb 97, YOU ARE LEGAL. Maybe not 100% suitable........but legal.

Stu.