Towing weights? (1 Viewer)

83SY

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Question i had was regarding towing weights...? Swift 590RS 2011 100bhp 2.2

The dealer say the vans chassis plate shows a towable weight of 2000kgs...but the swift brochure says 1150kgs for the 100bhp model and 1500kgs for the 130bhp model.

So does this means the chassis is fine & with a re map I could tow my trailer/car cica 1300/1400kgs?
 

tonka

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Check the plate on the actual van..

NEVER TRUST A DEALER / SALEMAN on weight, half of em aint got a clue...
You can bet they are looking at the original van plate and not the motorhome converters plate, which is the one that matters and is the legal one !!

The 590rs looks quiet a short van and should have original chassis so towing should be good..
Just in case you passed a test after 1997 there will be limits on what you can tow (750kg) .. So check that out as well..

"Class B on license = Vehicles up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) carrying no more than 8 passengers plus driver with trailer up to 750kg; trailer over 750kg if combined vehicle and trailer weight isn’t more than 3,500kg MAM "
 
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pappajohn

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in the absence of a Swift chassis plate i would go by the Fiat plate (i assume its a fiat).
It was capable of 2000kg when it left fiats factory so in my mind is still capable of 2000kg

My old kontiki had a 2000kg allowance on the fiat plate but the alko chassis plate reduced it to 1600kg....but swift had fitted the wrong plate which still showed 2000kg.

It was only when i requested a certificate of conformity from alko i found the discrepancy.
Alko issued a new vin plate.....which i kind of 'forgot' got fitted. :RollEyes:

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Abacist

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Towing weights

Please look at the chassis plate yourself. Don't take the dealer's word for it as he may well have remembered incorrectly! The brochure is not specific to your van and can only give generic information - only the weight plates riveted to the body can be regarded as the definitive answer which is what VOSA will go by if they weigh you.

It should give a Swift plate giving both front and rear axle weights maxima and also the maximum weight for the motorhome on its own and then the maximum weight to include a trailer. The difference between the 2 biggest weights is the maximum for any trailer and its load.

I suspect its going to be around the 1150 Kgs mark. Its not usually engine dependant but more related to chassis capability.
 

TheBig1

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Question i had was regarding towing weights...? Swift 590RS 2011 100bhp 2.2

The dealer say the vans chassis plate shows a towable weight of 2000kgs...but the swift brochure says 1150kgs for the 100bhp model and 1500kgs for the 130bhp model.

So does this means the chassis is fine & with a re map I could tow my trailer/car cica 1300/1400kgs?
dont forget there is another problem towing most cars on trailers behind motorhomes......the maximum plated weight on THE TRAILER must not exceed the maximum gross train weight on THE VAN. many 4 wheel car trailers exceed the figure considerably. DVSA was VOSA are cracking down on this and stopping vehicles on the road. if your plated weight is too high you wont be able to carry on and will need to arrange somebody to recover the trailer and or car plus you get fined
 

MikeD

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Engine cooling

I suspect the lower towing weight regarding engine size is probably something to do with extra cooling that is fitted to the bigger engined models as standard.

A re-map will add power but not more (usually) oil cooling.

But VOSA will go by the plate on the vehicle if it says 1150kg - then they will not like to see 1500kg trailer on the back.

:thumb::thumb:

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reynardracer

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Having just replaced my 5th gear after cruising home from Silverstone down the M40 towing my race car trailer, I decided to weight my trailer. To my surprise it was 1400 kgs without the race car in it, Ek! With the care car it will be around 2000 kgs. I am not sure how much my Hymer B644 Fiat Ducato 2.8 is allowed to tow. I have looked at the plate on the side of the motorhome and there are three figures, the last of which says 2150. Is that the towing capacity?

I am desperately trying to reduce weight, which is difficult given the construction of the race trailer and have considered buying a new trailer but even that is difficult to find a lightweight trailer. Is there anyone who can give me advice on trailer weight as I am quite worried about breaking my gearbox again.

Many thanks

Peter
 

pappajohn

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To my surprise it was 1400 kgs
Are you sure...or is it made from RSJ girders and cast iron.

I had a 3500kg Ifor Williams general purpose twin axle trailer, and Williams aren't known for building light trailers.

Unladen weight including sides, head and tail boards, spare wheel and a pair of steel ramps = 690kg

I would say the last number is the rear axle max weight.
1st...gross weight
2nd...front axle gross
3rd...rear axle gross.
4th (if shown)...train or GCVW
If it doesn't show a train weight or GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) on the vans VIN plate then you cannot tow anything.
 
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Jul 29, 2013
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@reynardracer
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Top GVW then GTW then front axle finally rear axle

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reynardracer

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Yep I am sure. Its a box trailer, starting life at as an A-Max 550 kgs then adding a rather large box made from steel uprights and cross beams, then clad in aluminium side and clear fiberglass roof. 8 wheels and tyres, 2 x 20 litre fuel tanks and other bits and pieces.

My plate says this:
3500
5500
1 - 1850
2 - 2120
3 -

Thanks for the reply.
 

pappajohn

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Yep I am sure. Its a box trailer, starting life at as an A-Max 550 kgs then adding a rather large box made from steel uprights and cross beams, then clad in aluminium side and clear fiberglass roof. 8 wheels and tyres, 2 x 20 litre fuel tanks and other bits and pieces.

My plate says this:
3500
5500
1 - 1850
2 - 2120
3 -

Thanks for the reply.
You have a train weight of 5500kg....a 2000kg trailer.

I hope you uprated the trailer frame and suspension units from 550kg :D

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