What is trainweight and why, if my caravan meets the 85 per cent criteria and is less than the cars towing limit, do I need to check the cars trainweight?
Trainweight or gross trainweight (GTW) is the maximum weight that a vehicle can move on the road, as stated by the manufacturer. This is the combined weight of vehicle and any trailer being towed and is the largest figure shown on the vehicles VIN plate, which is usually found under the bonnet of the car. The trainweight check is needed because the way the towing limit is set by manufacturers varies. Normally, the limit is set as the maximum weight of trailer that can be pulled away from a standing start on a 1 in 8 (12 per cent) gradient. Sometimes this limit is set when the car is fully loaded. Other times, depending on manufacturer or even model, the limit will be set with only a driver in the car or with a set number of passengers, but less than the full loading. If you subtract the gross vehicle weight (the first figure on the VIN plate) from the trainweight (the second figure on the plate) you get the legal weight limit of trailer you can tow when the car is fully loaded. Hence,
