Correct towing weight confusion...

[Jonsey]

Hi

I have a bit of confusion and conflicting information. Basically after doing abit of research I do not know the correct towing weight of my Vectra,

The plate on the door surround is the below



I am under the impression that figures are
Max laden weight @ 2000kgs
Max gross train weight @ 3350kgs
Front axle weight
Rear axle weight

Now subtracting the max laden weight from train weight gives a max towing weight of 1350kgs.

But on http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp it states 1500kgs and I had an email from Vauxhall stating 1500kgs and on http://whattowcar.com it states 1300kgs.

So which one do I believe to be accurate as I value my driving licence....

[kenp]

The one on the plate that you are showing is the correct one.. you would be allowed to pull 1350KG..

if needed to be change, if its like here.. you would need approval from Opel/VX (and maby TüV and the MOT station...)

[John LE]

Have you passed you B+E test?

[Jonsey]

Have you passed you B+E test?

No, but I did ring vosa and I can pull gross train weight of 3500kgs

[John LE]

There is a bit more than that to it mate,

Max train weight is 3500kgs but..the plated laden weight of the trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow car. Also the trailer must not exceed the rated towing weight of the car.

You won't be able to tow 1500kgs even if that is your towing limit

[Jonsey]

I presume the unladen weight of the vectra i have is 1470kgs from what I have seen. Its looking like its 1350kgs max tow weight then. But wonder why so many websites state 1500kgs

[RhayaderSax]

According to the Vx spec sheet for the hatchback, kerbweight is 1470kg, gross vehicle weight is 2000kg, max towing weight is 1500kg but the plated rating is the word of god.

If you passed your driving test before 1st Jan 1997 you have trailer entitlement and you're OK up to 1500kg according to Vx spec sheet but only upto 1350kg on the plate in your car. Why the plate doesn't match the spec sheet is anyones guess.

If you passed after that date (as John Robertson mentioned above) you need to take a trailer test, otherwise you have a few restrictions.

The confusion is caused because the kerbweight is NOT the same as the unladen weight.

You have to take off the weight of the driver, EU (day-to-day) luggage allowance & fluids - oil, water & fuel. Your true unladen weight after taking this away is 1350kg.

Without Cat E on your licence you can tow a trailer with a gross permitted plated weight of up to 1350kg because that satisfies all three rules...

1. 2000kg (max for car) + 1350kg (max for trailer) = less than 3500kg
2. 1350kg (max for trailer) doesn't exceed 1350kg (unladen for car)
3. 1350kg is less than 1500kg towing limit for car.

[Jonsey]

Cheers pal that deff clears it up.

But I wonder how many other vectras are plated up wrong, just hoping people have checked before towing there caravan heavier than 1350kgs.

[neilrobinson1988]

the plate is not wrong,
2000kg is max laden wieght
3350kg is towing weight minus max laden weight, (it does not matter weather car is full or empty max towing weight is the same as its based on a cars dry weight) so your towing weight is 1350kg
1060kg max front axel weight
980kg max rear axel weight

[fjaimo10]

it states on log book what your car can tow my vectra is 1600kg so thats what you can legaly tow