Swift Owner's Handbook - Swift Group

The Towing CodeTOWING VEHICLE TERMSKerb weight (Mass of Vehicle in RunningOrder):The weight of the towing vehicle as definedby the vehicle manufacturer. This is normallywith a full tank of fuel, with an adequatesupply of liquids incidental to the vehiclespropulsion, without driver or passengers,wihout any load except loose tools andequipment with which the vehicle is normallyprovided and without any towing bracket.Caravan to Towing Vehicle Weight Ratio:The towing vehicle to caravan weight ratiocan be determined by calculation and isequal to:actual laden weight of caravanx 100%Kerb weight of towing vehicleTHE LAW REQUIRES THAT CARAVANS &THEIR TOWING VEHICLES & THE LOADSTHEY CARRY MUST BE IN SUCH ACONDITION THAT NO DANGER ORNUISANCE IS CAUSED.(Regulation 100 of the Road and Vehicles[Construction and Use] Regulations 1986).Power to weight ratio:No hard and fast rules can be stated but,here is a general guide.(a) Conventional petrol engines with acapacity up to approximately 1500 ccshould be adequate for towing aYES85%Fig. A Car/Caravan Weight Ratioscaravan weighing around 85% of thekerb weight of the towing vehicle.(b) Above 1500 cc such engines shouldmanage a caravan weighing up to 100%of the kerb weight of the towing vehicleand still give adequate performance.MAYBENote: The towing vehicle manufacturer’s limitis, in some cases, less than the kerb weight.Vehicles with automatic transmission mayneed an oil cooler fitting or the SAE rating ofthe gearbox oil increasing when towing. Theadvice of the vehicle manufacturer should besought.Mass in Running Order:Caravanners can use a public weighbridge toestablish the mass in running order.EQUALNONote: Weighbridges have varying weighttolerance levels.Maximum Permissible Towing Mass:The weight defined by the vehiclemanufacturer as being the maximum thatthe vehicle is designed to tow.Train Weight (Combination Weight):The maximum combined weight of thetowing vehicle and trailer conbination asspecified by the towing vehicle manufacturer.3