Towing Weight

[TransitCam]

Hi guys can you help resolve an issue.
My 2013 Transit Custom has 155bhp, with a heavy duty towing hitch 2.5t.

I bought the van a few weeks ago, and I intend to tow a caravan.
I'm confused as to the weight I can tow.
On the inside of the passenger door, the guide says towing weight max is 1575.
On the V5 document the max towing weight is 2000 breaked.

Which do I follow the V5 or the door guide ?

[yung13]

If the door guide looks like this take the figure from the second one ie 5240-3000 that will give you the maximum your vehicle will tow. by the way what year did you obtain your Licence?

[TransitCam]

Many years ago, I have an HTC class 1 license so I'm very legal

[Altransit]

Which Custom model is it

i.e. 250/270/290/310/340 or can you upload a picture of the weight plate

[TransitCam]

I put the wrong weight on original post, the plate says I can tow 1700. I was just confused with the V5 doc stating 2000.
I will stick with the 1700 towing capacity on the plate. Though some caravans I'm looking at are coming in at 1800 fully laden.
The van is a 290 E tech.

[paul2012]

Hi guys can you help resolve an issue.
My 2013 Transit Custom has 155bhp, with a heavy duty towing hitch 2.5t.

I bought the van a few weeks ago, and I intend to tow a caravan.
I'm confused as to the weight I can tow.
On the inside of the passenger door, the guide says towing weight max is 1575.
On the V5 document the max towing weight is 2000 breaked.

Which do I follow the V5 or the door guide ?

All Customs have a manufacturers towing limit. It's normally on label and/or in owners handbooks.
if it says towing weight max is 1700. That will be manufacturers towing limit & shouldn't be exceeded.

[(ROG)]

Usually the max towing limit is the top figure of the weight plate deducted from the second figure of the weight plate but that is not always the case

Many vans have a greater towing capacity listed on the V5 so that is the maximum which can be towed BUT remember if using that max tow limit the van actual weight must be lower than its max GVW at the time of towing

Example
Top 2 numbers on the weight plate state 3500 and 5000
V5 states max tow limit as 2000
With trailer weighing 2000 then the max the van can weigh is 3000
That is perfectly legal under B+E rules

another example
Van
GVW 3500
GTW 5000
Kerb/unladen/empty 2000
Max tow limit on V5 2000

Trailer
MAM 3500
Unladen/empty 1000

Total empty weight of both 3000
Amount to be loaded between the two 2000
Options are load 1500 in van + 500 in trailer OR 1000 in van + 1000 in trailer

[TransitCam]

Thanks guy for the advice, much appreciated.

[yung13]

Personally, I will go with the manufacturer towing limit because that is the absolute maximum train weight for a maximum laden van. in the picture above the towing weight is 2240kg the V5 state 2500kg. Rog post is a good example.

[TransitCam]

Yeah I'm sticking with manufacturers towing capacity, stay legal and safe.
Thanks guys.

[Altransit]

1575kg is probably about right for a 290, my 280 MK7 is 1550, although because max train weight is 3500, the van needs to be empty to tow the max trailer weight

[bigjohnthomas]

So on my towing vehicle I can tow 600kg but according to "the internet " that's braked and its 400kg freestyley
Would I be correct in squeaking this?
Or can I Chuck some more turnips in the trailer to take it to 600kg
Out of my way I have no brakes