Vw Sandhurst Tow Car

Thinking of getting a tow car for my VW Sandhurst has anyone got one?  any advise on permitted weights, rules, laws would be greatly received kind regards Joe 

Start by checking out what weight your van can tow. The law regarding towing can be found online. 

What method do you intend to use, an A-frame or a trailer? If the former, it is not legal in Europe but has not been declared illegal in the UK. A towing dolly as used by breakdown companies is not legal in any circumstances other than emergency recovery.

True, but intended as a bit of a wind up.......


Electric cars can't be towed!!!


RAC vans now have both a front and rear dolly plus an electric mod to recharge those with flat batteries, only needs 30mins for a whole 10 miles!!

Your vin plate will give you the towing weight information you require

If towing with a trailer rather than an A frame, around 7% of the loaded weight of the trailer should be on the tow hook.  You will need to ensure your tow bar can handle this and when your van is fully loaded it will not cause your rear axle or rear tyre load limits to be exceeded.  TyreSafe recommend that the rear axle load does not exceed 90% of the combined load limits of the rear tyres.

Thank you for the info I’ll check out and report back 

There’s a fair bit to learn 

Well I didn’t get far can’t find Vin no to check tow weight all can find is these two pics but don’t understand what’s on them.

Maximum permissible Mass - 3500kg

Maximum Train weight - 5200kg

Maximum Front axle loading - 1710kg

Maximum Rear axle loading - 1900kg

Second minus first means towing capacity 1700kg.

The second photo is your vin plate , there make also be a third one stuck some where that has Autosleeper name on it as there is new vin plate added by the converter once the build is finished , this could be on the passenger door opening

The figures may also be in the Auto-Sleepers handbook.  If not and still in doubt about them, you could ask Auto-Sleepers.  They should have a record.  Establishing your towing capacity is only part of the story.  You will need to establish the effect the tow bar and its nose weight will have on your loading margin and rear axle mass.  If your rear axle limit is 1900 kg and you want to use it all, TyreSafe recommend your tyres should have a load index of at least 110.  This month's CAMC magazine has a short article on towing cars which is worth a read.

Thanks for all info I’m now in the know   I now know I can safely tow a Vw up 

PLOUGHLIN wrote:Second minus first means towing capacity 1700kg.

Whilst it is often the case (and often cited as gospel) thats not always true - however if you are not sure, or don't have relevant literature, it is a safe figure to use.  The maximum trailer weights (if new enough) should be on the V5C, or the manufacturers hand book.

What is true is that the actual weights of the vehicle and whats behind it can't exceed the gross train weight (5200kg in this case).  

I have several vehicles with a manufacturer limit of 1500kg for the trailer, with GVM between 2490 and 2900kg and GTW of 3500kg, so with an almost empty prime mover a trailer up to 1500kg can be towed, but as the weight of the prime mover increases the permissible weight of the trailer decreases.

This might be stating the obvious but have you got a tow bar fitted. Being a coach build it may be a bit of fat finding some one to fit one if not.

Minormatt wrote:

Whilst it is often the case (and often cited as gospel) thats not always true - however if you are not sure, or don't have relevant literature, it is a safe figure to use.  The maximum trailer weights (if new enough) should be on the V5C, or the manufacturers hand book.

What is true is that the actual weights of the vehicle and whats behind it can't exceed the gross train weight (5200kg in this case).  

I have several vehicles with a manufacturer limit of 1500kg for the trailer, with GVM between 2490 and 2900kg and GTW of 3500kg, so with an almost empty prime mover a trailer up to 1500kg can be towed, but as the weight of the prime mover increases the permissible weight of the trailer decreases.

What you have stated contradicts every reference I can find, even from Tow bar suppliers. Can you provide an authoritative reference to back up your statement?

Hi, I have also thought about towing my classic mini on an A frame but as yet have no tow bar, so would be interested in where you get your tow bar from and what it looks like if you get one

Matt

Rocky wrote:We towed a little Toyota Aygo with our last (A Class) MH.  Went to Tow-Bars-to-Tow Cars near Grimsby and they did the full conversion and fitted a MH towbar.  Did a great job and we towed on an A frame for about 5 years - only in the UK though, would not risk it abroad.  TBTTC seem to be able to fit any MH with a towbar, so worth talking to them.  They did a full conversion on the Aygo, which made it really simple to just plug in and drive away, but the conversion costs £2k+.  It was worth doing though.

Agree with recommendation for Tow-Bars-to-Tow Cars, a conversion is now closer to £3000. I doubt they or any converter would be able to convert a classic mini though, trailer is way to go.

Glad to hear the recommendations for Tow Bars to To Cars, they are fitting our tow bar on Wednesday.

Mike

Mike187 wrote:Glad to hear the recommendations for Tow Bars to To Cars, they are fitting our tow bar on Wednesday.

Mike

Tow bars two tow cars gets the thumps up from me two. Having dragged my Wee Kia Pincanto through the highlands last year and 4 weeks through the dales this year, with more to come in September.
I have a wee lazer light which sits on the bonnet of the car ,the light lines up the back door at 3 feet to the tow ball, light is removed till the next time.
Hope all goes well Dave on Wednesday.
Boaby

Ricky, We are picking up a tow car at the same, a little Peugeot 108.

Thanks Boaby, should all go ok, apart from the weather which is forecast for rain all day..

Then it will be changing the reversing camera to a twin rear view camera and reversing camera.

Mike

Hi just to add  to posts,  I’ve had Towbar fitted by TAF in chesterfield highly recommended after sales very good and all the legality for towing met, I tow a VW Up Brilliant bit of kit, anymore info message me regards Joe