The old towing debate

Patches

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Further to Carmenlucy's post....

I own a Ford Maverick LWB, 2.7tdi for towing. I will say it handles the job really well. Can't tell there's a trailer and horse on the back, it's so good.

Kerbweight of vehicle 1850 kgs, towing capacity according to manual of 2800kgs. My trailer is an Ifor Williams 505. Weighs in at 905kgs. This leaves me almost 1800 kgs weight limit for two horses.

However, the 85% kerb weight rule was mentioned in Carmenlucy's post for towing. I accept it was always a recommendation and when I owned a weekend gypsy house, we used to stick to it as well as getting the nose weight accurate with loading too.

So, if you go down the 85% rule with towing horses, that means my car can only tow 1572 kgs! This would mean it'd be pushing it to tow even Patches in it legally. Lightweight for a 4x4 it maybe be, but it is by no means thought of as ridiculously as a Corsa towing a horse trailer would be!
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I always thought that the 85% (advisory) rule for caravans was brought about because of the speed at which most drivers travel and corner with their outfit. Someone towing horses is always going to drive that bit slower and corner with more care as their cargo is precious. So, what do you think? Is a Maverick really NOT a towing vehicle and should you stick to the 85% rule of kerb weight when towing horse trailers?

If so, it almost seems pointless making two horse trailers.
 
I wondered if it had something to do with braking, so the trailer couldn't force a light car forwards (or whatever), but then the trailers have brakes so that wouldn't make sense
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. I'd never really thought about it until you brought it up, so not sure
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The 85% rule is for a un-braked trailer. You should be fine with a Ifor and you Maverick.

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Ahh, I was half right
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Some really old bricks of caravans were un-braked Chex. I would assume this is when the 85% towing rule was advised. As far as I am aware it's still only advisory and not compulsory.

It does add to alot of confusion though. You only have to consider the traction unit of lorries. They can pull 40 tonnes but the traction unit (cab) is nowhere near that in weight itself. They can pull increased weight with far more stability though as the hitch point is between the two axles.
 
Yeah, our caravan was a 1992 model and it was indeed braked. Our first brick of a caravan was un-braked though.

Caravans are so unstable though. Hence the use of an anti-snake device. I've always wondered why horse trailers don't have to have anti-snake devices fitted when travelling on the motorways.
 
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