Technical information

8
Chapter 2 CARAVAN & TOW VEHICLE
Another simple method is to use bathroom scales and a suitable piece of
strong timber as a platform to rest the tow hitch on. The timber can be
placed vertically between the caravan tow hitch and the bathroom scales.
The timber should be of such length that when the caravan tow hitch is
lowered onto it, using the jockey wheel, the caravan floor is horizontal.
The weight can then be measured. When taking the measurement the
jockey wheel should be raised and the corner steadies lowered should all
be just clear of the ground.
Kerb Weight: The weight of the towing vehicle as defined by the vehicle
manufacturer.
This is normally: With a full tank of fuel
With an adequate supply of other liquids incidental to
the vehicles propulsion
Without drivers or passengers
Without any load except loose tools and equipment
with which the vehicle is normally provided
Without any towing bracket
The caravan to towing vehicle weight ratio
This can be determined by calculation and is equal to:
actual laden mass of caravan
kerb weight of towing vehicle
As a general guide.
i. Conventional petrol engines with a capacity up to approximately
1600cc petrol or 1800cc diesel should be adequate for towing a caravan
weighing around 85% of the kerb weight of the towing vehicle.
x 100%