Towing with a Hymer 890

[geoffwood]

Just taken delivery of a new hymer 890 complete MH novice can one of you experts out there tell Me what this vehicle tows like,I'm thinking small car (Skoda Citigo) the Mercedes is 170hp 9 speed auto
Thankyou

 

[G7UXG]

Hi, don’t think it’ll legally tow a small car. Max train weight on Mercedes is 5890kgs and I’m guessing a large van like that is plated at 5500kg. Downside of tag axles is low tow capacity, and even more restricted with the Mercedes Alko tag axle.

So, if the van weights 5500kg fully loaded, you can only legally tow a 390kg trailer. if the vehicle weighs less, I understand that you may be able to use the unused weight from the towing vehicle for the trailer, so if it weighs 5000kg loaded, then you could tow an 890kg trailer. But I’d be surprised if a motorhome that size is not close to 5500kg when loaded for a trip.

 

[Itsmcb]

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[scotjimland]

Check the VIN plate .. it has max train weight ..
subtract the MAM from that, gives gives you the max trailer weight

For example.. my van

MAM 3300 kg
Train 5300 kg
Max Trailer weight 2000kg

If unsure.. take a pic of the plate and post on here

 

[Simonnsj]

We tow a Citigo with our 2011 Hymer B544 which is rated at 4250kg (max weight without towing - max weight towing with 6000kg!) so quite heavy for a 6.5m van - it has a 2.3L 130bhp Multijet engine so quite wheezy but easily manages with the car so although I no nothing about your MH it sounds like you shouldn't have any issues given the power compared to ours. The Citigo weighs around 950kg from what I understand.

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[BusyBuilder]

Try it doing the NC500, that'll give you an idea if it can manage it.

 

[geoffwood]

Hi, don’t think it’ll legally tow a small car. Max train weight on Mercedes is 5890kgs and I’m guessing a large van like that is plated at 5500kg. Downside of tag axles is low tow capacity, and even more restricted with the Mercedes Alko tag axle.

So, if the van weights 5500kg fully loaded, you can only legally tow a 390kg trailer. if the vehicle weighs less, I understand that you may be able to use the unused weight from the towing vehicle for the trailer, so if it weighs 5000kg loaded, then you could tow an 890kg trailer. But I’d be surprised if a motorhome that size is not close to 5500kg when loaded for a trip.

Thanks think I understand the legal definition of gross and train weight,however is there any physical risks in towing say 980kg in terms of detriment to the vehicle

 

[Paul F]

My last MH was an ML890. It was plated at 5,500kg and train weight 5,880Kg, so if you are using the full van capacity then towing is limited to 380Kg. When fully loaded in holiday mode, I couldnt run full of water without going over 5,500Kg so not a lot of payload to play with. Not sure what a Skoda Citigo weighs but am guessing about 900Kg. I would get to the weighbridge with everything but a towcar on board and see what you have got to work with.

 

[G7UXG]

Thanks think I understand the legal definition of gross and train weight,however is there any physical risks in towing say 980kg in terms of detriment to the vehicle

I think you’d need to consult the chassis manufacturer to answer that, or look in the Hymer specification to see what the maximum trailer weight is.

Mine is a Carthago tag axle on a Mercedes and Carthago says the maximum trailer weight is 1600kg, but that can only be possible if the van weights 4300kg or less when loaded and in use, and that’s not realistic. My van weighs more than that ex works! In practice, I don’t think I could legally tow more than 750kg, and that would mean the van weighing no more than 5140kg, which is probably just about workable.

 

[pappajohn]

If there's no train weight entered on the VIN plate you can't tow anything.

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[Marie-Claire]

We have the sonic tag on a fiat chassis, the v5 states mass in service of 5000kg and a maximum towable braked trailer of 1830kg