Two used tow cars with the same towing capacity: which one really suits your caravan?
You have a caravan with a maximum permitted mass of 1,500 kilos and are looking for a different tow car. Two used cars catch your attention. Both are advertised as being able to tow 1,800 kilos. So, does it hardly matter which one you choose? Not quite. Behind that one figure, important differences can lie hidden. Especially the maximum train weight, the nose weight, and the load determine whether a car is actually suitable for your caravan.
The same towing capacity does not mean the same possibilities
Suppose you compare two cars that are both allowed to tow 1,800 kilos braked. On paper, they seem equally suitable. But one car has a lower maximum train weight than the other. This can mean that you can take less luggage and passengers with you when the caravan is coupled.
When looking for a used car, it is therefore wise to look beyond the data in the advertisement. Anyone looking at the range of Used Mercedes for example, can compare different versions. Then always check the technical data of the specific car. Even within the same model series, the permitted weights can differ.
Which weights should you check?
The towing capacity is just one of the figures that determine whether a car is suitable for your caravan. The maximum train weight and the permitted nose weight also play an important role. These are the most important data to compare.
Towing capacity and maximum train weight
The braked towing capacity indicates how much mass a car is allowed to tow with a braked trailer. The maximum train weight also sets a limit to the total mass of the loaded combination.
A calculation example makes the difference clear. The figures below are fictional and are for illustration purposes only.
| Given | Car A | Car B |
|---|---|---|
| Braked towing capacity | 1,800 kg | 1,800 kg |
| Maximum permitted car mass | 2,200 kg | 2,300 kg |
| Maximum train weight | 3,600 kg | 4,100 kg |
| Permitted nose weight car | 75 kg | 90 kg |
With a caravan of 1,500 kilos, car A cannot be loaded to its maximum permissible mass at the same time without exceeding the train weight limit. Car B has more leeway in this regard. The precise calculation must take into account the actual masses and the nose weight, so that weight is not counted twice.
You can check the official vehicle data via the RDW's information on the registration certificate. Also ask the seller for any additional information about the maximum train weight.
Don't forget the nose weight
Nose weight is the vertical force with which the caravan's drawbar presses on the tow hitch. Limits for the car, the tow hitch, and the caravan apply. The lowest applicable limit is decisive.
A bike rack on the drawbar or a different distribution of luggage can change the nose weight. Therefore, measure it with a realistically loaded caravan. Furthermore, a higher permissible nose weight is not a license to load the caravan incorrectly.
How to compare two used cars before the test drive
For both cars, request the license plate, the exact version, and the available vehicle documentation. Then, compare not only the towing capacity but also the train weight, nose weight, and available load space. Also, check if the fitted tow hitch is suitable and if your driving license permits the combination.
Are the legal weight limits in order? Then look at ease of use. A car that regularly pulls a heavy caravan through hilly terrain places different demands on cooling, drive, and transmission than a car that only makes short trips. You can read more about this in the article What is a good towing car?.
Checklist before buying a towing vehicle
- Check the permissible maximum mass and the actual loaded weight of your caravan.
- Compare the official braked towing capacity with the data of your caravan.
- Check the maximum train weight and the available load space.
- Compare the permissible nose weight of the car, tow hitch, and caravan.
- Check your driving license and inquire about the maintenance of the car and the tow hitch.
The best choice is not always at the top of the ad
A towing capacity of 1,800 kilos tells only part of the story. Two used cars with the same figure can offer very different possibilities in practice. Therefore, start with the data of your own caravan and then check the limits of each car individually. This way, you prevent an attractive used car from proving less suitable than expected only after purchase.