Frankia Towing Capacity etc. (1 Viewer)

[TOAD on Tour]

Hi all,
I am currently looking at a 2008 Frankia TAG van (840 Luxury Class), but want to be able to tow my Kia Picanto from time to time.
live just asked the dealer to send me a photo of the vans plate and as I read it, I would only be able to tow up to 750kg? Am I correct and does it make any difference that the tow car will obviously be braked (using an A Frame, will only be using in the U.K.).
the weights on the plate are as follows;
GVM - 5250kg
GTM - 6000kg
Axle 1 - 2100kg
Axle 2 - 1600kg
Axle 3 - 1600kg

Many thanks in advance for any guidance.....

 

[David and Sally]

Looks like it.

Makes no difference the car being braked. The max trailer weight is 750kg. Seems very low. Has the van been up-plated from a lower GVM?

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Thanks, that was what I thought! Just seems very low.....not sure if it has been re-plated etc. Looks like I’ll have to leave it!

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[Manic]

If you’re below the 5250 you could add the difference to towing but the 750 does seem very low.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

I had read a previous thread that tag vans tend to have a lower towing capacit, but I was hoping for at least 1000kg.....

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I had read a previous thread that tag vans tend to have a lower towing capacit, but I was hoping for at least 1000kg.....

I think that a lot of tag axle vans have very low towing capacity - seem to recall that Autotrail ones are similar

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[SandraL]

I guess the front end is fiat. Normally fiat train weight is 6000kg, taking into account traction, clutch , brakes etc.
So fit heavier body you lose towing capability.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Ok, thanks, I was wondering how much of the 5250kg would used as that seems quite generous......although i would need to find approximately 200kg to top up the tow capacity.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Ok, thanks, I was wondering how much of the 5250kg would used as that seems quite generous......although i would need to find approximately 200kg to top up the tow capacity.

My opinion you need more than 1000kg ( not much) to tow a ”wet” Picanto

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[TOAD on Tour]

Thanks, my thinking was; kerb weight is 930kg, a frame is 10-15kg and then petrol.

 

[Speve]

You need to take in to account weight of Kia plus towbar I would thing it’s going to be around 1000/1100 kg so you would be eating into your Gross by around 350kg.
KIA Picanto/Kerb weight

935 to 1,020 kg

Horsepower: 49 to 74 kW
Gross vehicle weight rating: 1,400 to 1,405 kg
Dimensions: 3,595-3,670 mm L x 1,595-1,625 mm W x 1,485-1,500 mm H

 

[Emmit]

If you’re below the 5250 you could add the difference to towing but the 750 does seem very low.

I'm in agreement with Manic on this one.
There will be a limit on the Towing capacity put on by Frankia. It may or may not be 750Kgs but that has been set just in case your all up weight in the van gets to 5250Kgs. There has to be a limit on the ability of the brakes and suspension to control the vehicle.

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[Cheshirecat57]

Thanks, my thinking was; kerb weight is 930kg, a frame is 10-15kg and then petrol.

You would be close, Im big into Kias and I reckon you should weigh your Pucanto just to be sure
Tow-bar doesn't eat into your train weight but impacts your payload ,but same result

 

[Hagstrom]

DDuffs - In the next week or so I'm going to be selling a metallic silver 2010 Mercedes 3litre v6 5.5ton-rated full auto box Frankia i8400 Luxury Class with 42.5k miles. PM me if you want details.

GVM5500
GTM 7000
Axle 1 2000
Axle 2 3500.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

What age/model Picanto do you have and do you already have A frame?

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[TOAD on Tour]

2014 picanto 1.25....930kg kerb weight and tow master A Frame which I believe claim to only be around 10kg (I already have this).

 

[karalal]

My understanding is you should weigh the frankia fully loaded to see what the actual weight is then deduct from the 6000kg what is left should tell what you can tow

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Hi Karalal, yes, agreed, although that’s going to be difficult via the dealer etc.

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[phil1946]

Just to really p*ss on your parade - when towing a trailer it is not the actual weight but the plated weight that counts so (as a TOAD is viewed as a trailer and has to conform to trailer rules with regard to lights, reflectors and brakes) it would be the Gross Plated Weight that needs to be allowed for.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I'm sure that you already know this and you have a manual box Picanto but if you have an auto it can't be towed.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Yep, it’s a manual...just for clarification, I currently tow it with my Hymer.

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[pappajohn]

Thanks, my thinking was; kerb weight is 930kg, a frame is 10-15kg and then petrol.

Kerb weight does not apply.
ANY trailer uses the gross trailer weight in towing calculations.
If the Picanto is 930kg kerb it's going to be a minimum of 1230kg gross weight... To allow for 4 x 75kg passengers.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Thanks everybody, so that rules it out for sure.....the gross weight is 1370kg.....thankfully still within my current Hymer towing capacity. I’m off to sulk now

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Thanks everybody, so that rules it out for sure.....the gross weight is 1370kg.....thankfully still within my current Hymer towing capacity. I’m off to sulk now

Happy sulking...best plans and all that

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[pappajohn]

Thanks everybody, so that rules it out for sure.....the gross weight is 1370kg.....thankfully still within my current Hymer towing capacity. I’m off to sulk now

Of course, every kilo of payload under your payload limit can be added to the trailer allowance but you'd still need to lose around ½ ton from the van.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Just a question, whats the weightof the empty van ?

 

[TOAD on Tour]

hi Cheshirecat, unfortunately no idea of the van weight. the dealer only knows the figures on the plate etc.

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[TOAD on Tour]

Of course, every kilo of payload under your payload limit can be added to the trailer allowance but you'd still need to lose around ½ ton from the van.

Thanks, agreed, but I think that would be tough, we do not really travel light...hence looking at this type of van

 

[gus-lopez]

when towing a trailer it is not the actual weight but the plated weight that counts so

No it isn't . The police might try that on but it isn't correct. It has to be weighed. I have posted a letter from dvsa to Ifor williams stating that fact before on here.

 

[Ranger]

No it isn't . The police might try that on but it isn't correct. It has to be weighed. I have posted a letter from dvsa to Ifor williams stating that fact before on here.

You are correct, I have the same paperwork from my business days and yes generally the police do not have a clue.

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