Towing

[vkr15s]

Having alternated between tugging and MH finally bit the bullet and spent the kids inheritance on a Ford based Chauson 774ga. Whilst the inevitable Walt between order and delivery had a lightbulb moment, shit I never asked the towing capability so contacted the dealer only to be told 425kg.Mmm that will take care of the trailer and possibly a bike or two but having previously towed small car around a 1000kg felt a right dickhead, however we are coming to the end of a 4week trip around France and have seen other Ford based MH towing small cars on trailers.

Has anyone and advice ?

 

[Pausim]

I have a suspicion that the 425 kg the dealer has given you is the payload not the towing capacity. It wouldn’t surprise me if some dealers did’t know the difference. The towing capacity will depend on how much of the Gross Train Weight (GTW) is used up by the body, the extras and the payload. The GTW is the maximum weight the engine and transmission can safely pull along. For instance if you have a 3500kg motorhome with a GTW of 5000kg the towing capacity would 5000-3500=1500kg.

Without knowing the exact details of the Ford Chassis Cab that Chausson will use to build your motorhome it is impossible to say what the GTW will be. However I think you have reason to be optimistic that it is more than 425kg because Parkers’ Guide to the Ford transit says they can all tow 750kg unbraked and from 1650kg to 3500kg braked.

 

[Spriddler]

Check the details on the converter's VIN plate.

 

[vkr15s]

Springier/Pausim
Thanks for your replies. I am in France at the moment but looked at the details inside the passengers door which gives these figures
3550 which I asume to be the 3500
4250
1850
2250
so baffled but when I get back to the uk will get the grandkids to photo the plate and post but am unsure if this is the converters details ?

 

[Burgo]

4250 would be the train weight then. If you were absolutely fully loaded at 3550, then 4250 minus 3550 gives you a trailer weight of 700kg. Nb assuming you haven't got a C1 licence then your max would be 3500 in the m/h, giving you a 4250 less 3500 =750kg.

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[gus-lopez]

have seen other Ford based MH towing small cars on trailers.

all have different towing capacities. look on the bright side according to this many Chaussons have no towing capacity

https://www.pressreader.com/

Springier/Pausim
Thanks for your replies. I am in France at the moment but looked at the details inside the passengers door which gives these figures
3550 which I asume to be the 3500
4250
1850
2250
so baffled but when I get back to the uk will get the grandkids to photo the plate and post but am unsure if this is the converters details ?

As said you appear to have 700kgs BUT is that the Ford plate in the door frame? If so it is not the correct one which would be the Chausson plate which might well be reduced towing capacity if you have an extended chassis & /or an auto gearbox. .

 

[dunnah01]

4250 would be the train weight then. If you were absolutely fully loaded at 3550, then 4250 minus 3550 gives you a trailer weight of 700kg. Nb assuming you haven't got a C1 licence then your max would be 3500 in the m/h, giving you a 4250 less 3500 =750kg.

Shouldn't be driving it if no C1

 

[Reallyretired]

My train weight is given as 4500kg theoretically allowing me to tow 1000kg, however trying to tow a Suzuki Alto toad with a kerb weight of around 700kg was a bit of a struggle for the 2.2L ford engine. My previous motorhome with 3L Mercedes engine didn't even notice the extra weight.

 

[EricS]

As others have said you need to look at the converters (Chausson) plate not the Ford plate. On my 2021 Chausson 640 the max loaded weight and the train weight are both 3500 so a towing limit of 0. That is also, what is on the CoC and V5. I am told that to get a towing weight you have to get a Chausson approved tow bar fitted by a Chausson dealer, the dealer the applies to Chausson for a new CoC with the new limits on. That will then allow you, or your dealer, to apply for a new V5 and then you can tow. Of course this all costs money. I have also heard that if a Chausson has been upplated before having a tow bar fitted Chausson refuse to issue the new CoC. looks like a talk with your dealer is the way forward.

 

[gpat]

If you search around on here there are other threads about this. Seems that if no towing weight is given you cant tow with it. As EricS says talk to your dealer.

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[BikerGraham]

interesting as i noticed on my van

the Peugeot and Alko plates have a GTW on them.

However, the Bailey one does not and when it was up-plated at SV Tech there is no GTW either.

However, the V5, whilst not having a GTW does state maximum weight of trailer is 2000Kg if braked and 750Kg if unbraked.

 

[Pausim]

As others have said you need to look at the converters (Chausson) plate not the Ford plate. On my 2021 Chausson 640 the max loaded weight and the train weight are both 3500 so a towing limit of 0. That is also, what is on the CoC and V5. I am told that to get a towing weight you have to get a Chausson approved tow bar fitted by a Chausson dealer, the dealer the applies to Chausson for a new CoC with the new limits on. That will then allow you, or your dealer, to apply for a new V5 and then you can tow. Of course this all costs money. I have also heard that if a Chausson has been upplated before having a tow bar fitted Chausson refuse to issue the new CoC. looks like a talk with your dealer is the way forward.

That looks suspiciously like a deliberate move by Chausson to trap customers into having to pay them to release their no towing trap. Perhaps one of the engineering firms such as Sv Tech can find a solution?

 

[AWE]

When I had a transit based roller team that had a very low trailer capacity, you only have to look underneath at the fairly flimsy chassis extensions supporting the rear overhang & in turn any towbar to understand why.