I know the 85% rule from the Caravan Club, but does anyone know the maximum towing capacity for a Late Bay, either 1600 to 1700 engined. I have to ask, because there's a number of shows I'm tempted to take a trailer with either a Square or a 412 on the back. Anyone, and yes I know it would be slow, and a big strain on the transmission, but I need to be talked out of the idea.
Unladen weight on a '73 Squareback is 2282lb (1035kg) Unladen weight on a '74 412LS is 2491lb (1130kg)
Not quite correct, a 74 412LS Variant is 2469lbs or 1120kg unladen, however, I take your point the margin of error from the information you've supplied is small, I'm not going to find an 80kg trailer to put it on. I must visit a weigh bridge to be sure of the likely Mass in Running Order (or MRO according to the AA), since the trailer and towing vehicle shouldn't exceed the Maximum Train Weight for the vehicle. MRO = Kerb (unladen) Weight + 90% full fuel tank, plus driver. MRO doesn't include the weight of the Tow Bracket. How do we work this Gross Train Weight out on a VW Transporter from 1976 I don't know, but suspect its the Gross Vehicle Weight 2300kg figure in your list, plus the 1200kg Braked Trailer, giving a Gross Train Weight of 3500kg. However, this is not stated by the Manufacturer, so as far as the Law is concerned, a GTW isn't applicable. 3500kg just happens to be the limit for Gross Train Weight for someone without B+E on their driving licence, which doesn't apply to me, indeed I have C1+E qualification Gross Train Weight of 8250kg. I previously held LGV C+E until I was 45 years old, so I retain the C1+E qualification Gross Train Weight of 12000kg, which normally requires a test to be passed. It might not be sensible to tow a twin axle 200kg rated car trailer of about 750kg, loaded with a 1120kg 412LS Variant, behind a 1600 '76 Bay, say a Gross Train Weight of 2300kg + 750kg + 1120kg = 4170kg ... but I don't think I'd be breaking any Laws, unless you can reveal your source data for who recommends the trailer of 1200kg, and can work out what this was based upon at the time (I'm thinking the existing UK Law of the day for car drivers towing trailers). I'd certainly want to fit a brake servo I think. Interestingly, the Caravan Club recommends a minimum of 40 bhp/ton for modern combinations, although working out the old data, VW was happy with around 30 bhp/ton back in the 1970s. The above 4170kg combination assumes I'd fill the Bay with 755kg, which is highly unlikely, I would expect the figure nearer a 250kg maximum, or 1750kg loaded, giving a Gross Train Weight of 1750kg + 750kg + 1120kg = 3620kg, and a power to weight ratio of ~13.8 bhp/ton 1600 50 bhp = 13.8 bhp/ton 1700 66 bhp = 18.2 bhp/ton Going on the table you supply, VW would be happy with GTW of 3500kg, or 14.3 bhp/ton from a 1600, and 18.8 bhp/ton from a 1700 The 85% rule, also recommended by both the AA and Caravan Club, would limit a 1600kg MRO Camper to towing a 1360kg trailer, but again, this limit does not apply to my licence. So, pretty close to VW recommendations (assuming the table is VW recommended), it just needs the trailer recommendation to be explained / investigated, based on the Laws of the day it was recommended, and how applicable these are to the trailer towing Laws currently.
Mmm...a combination of a recovery A-Frame, and this might be my solution http://www.smart-tow.com/braking.htm Then the towed car becomes a trailer and meets the trailer braking requirements...a loaded 1750kg Bay, plus a 1120kg 412LS Variant, would be 17.4 bhp/ton (1600), 23.0 bhp/ton (1700). So not quick, but it would meet the recommended braked trailer weight of 1200kg, meet the 85% recommendation, and would only have an estimated GTW of 2870kg Probably cheaper than a twin axle trailer, and the A-Frame could be stored away at a show, but I'd have to research prices.
My 1600 is plated and gives the max vehicle weight as 2300 kg and max train weight as 3300kg. I wouldn't fancy using it to tow a 412 on a trailer much further than the end of our street.
asremember, if the drivers got a moustache then lights arent needed on the trailer, and below a train weight of 300kg wheels are not mandatory on the trailer
Yup a 412 on a trailer would be about 1.8 tons, not something I'd be happy towing, so I's a thinking make the 412 the trailer, and then its just 1.1 tons, and with the table stating I can tow up to 1.2 tons, its well within the limits of the Bay...
