Kerb weight data-where?

[Orionaut]

For something really quite important (Especially if you are wanting to tow or load a van)

Why is this data so hard to find?

I guess it is in actual owners manuals, but it doesn't seem to be on the VIN plates??

I am looking for a site that allows one to search vehicles (Either by make/model or reg no) that will provide the kerb weight. but so far I have not really been able to find anything particularly helpful.

Most people will understand why, but for those that are not aware, This is important because if you are loading a van or flatbed the total weight (MAM) mustn't exceed the total permitted weight (EG, in most cases, 3500Kg)

Which means that the max payload is 3500-<Kerb Weight> (As a starting point, If you carry passengers this weight has to be subtracted too)

But this is hard to work out if the figures for kerb weight simply are not readily available...

 

[Orionaut]

https://www.carfolio.com/ usually has decent data

Doesn't seem to have anything that I am looking for.

Why is information like this not readily available.

Its like it is yet another of those "You must obay the Law but we are not going to provide any if the information that you need in order to do so" things!

 

[Orionaut]

Maybe check some car review sites like Autocar or Whatcar?

Tried but with little success for the older vehicles that I am particularly interested in.

But my point still stands, If it is a legal and safety requirement that these figures be known (Effectively) why is there not an easily accessible database that can provide them?

And indeed, why is this information not provided on the VIN plate (I am sure it used to be)

All the VIN plate provides are the Maximums.

 

[Orionaut]

This will be listen on the Certificate of Conformity. You can order one from the dealer. Oh wait, Brexit. GL!

But you shouldn't have to ask the manufacturer specially. this data should be easily available and in any case, WTF isn't this data on the VIN plate anyway! It is just as important a piece of information as anything else on the plate.

Its like having a law against DUI but not saying which drinks are alcoholic, how much they are alcoholic by, or even what the limit is (without knowing what the kerb weight is, you cannot work out how much you can carry as payload!)

Anyway, we are digressing somewhat and am no nearer to my being able to work out how large a car I can put on the back of an old 3.5 ton recovery truck!

 

[Orionaut]

Depends on its weight.

Which you do not know,

Because that particular data seems not to be available,

Which is my entire point!!!

ARRRGHHH!

(There's a hole in my Bucket, Dear Lisa, Dear Lisa.....!)

 

[Orionaut]

Mine's in my manual for all 3 cars I own.

Ahh Yes,

Arcane knowledge that is only available to the priesthood on the cult of the original owners!



Given its legal significance and importance, this data should be available to anybody, at any time!

 

[Orionaut]

Update.

I am not going to buy the SH beavertail 3.5Ton recovery truck off E-bay!

They are ******* useless. (Like 1200Kg payload in practice)

Quite frankly, I dont undertsant why anybody even makes them let alone pays good money to buy a new one! Really :/

I have decided to get a trailer instead.

Bizarrely, (I guess it is ultimately all about axle loadings and independent braking systems for those axles) I can tow 3500Kg behind my Landcruiser but I cannot carry any thing much bigger than a ride on lawn mower on a vehicle that has been specifically built to carry such a payload!

Not towed a 16Ft trailer before. This is going to be fun!

On Tuesday next week!

Will report, just for fun!

 

[Orionaut]

At a guess that 1200kg is what the fishtail can lift. Keep in mind the other axle of the towed vehicle will be on the ground and taking the greater load so a 2.5t vehicle shouldn't be a problem.

No, its max vehicle weight. And this is for vehicles that are fully on the recovery vehicle (I have learned a lot about this over the last week! )

Once you have a chassis cab, beaver tail on it. You are typically pushing 2200Kg. To keep within the 3500KG limit for MAM your payload is now very limited. (Like Corsa/fiesta level) As I said, Looking at it I cannot really see why there is a market for 3500Kg recovery trucks at all! They are useless for the vast majority of cars these days (Even small cars are now well over 1400Kg)​

I was only looking at this since I am moving house and have a lot of vehicles to move (Some roadworthy, some not) This is actually going to be a bit operation Black Buck and I seriously considered buying a cheap recovery truck on the grounds that it would be cheaper than hiring Transporters or subcontracting the job.

I have now concluded that none of my vehicles could be carried legally on a 3500Kg transporter. I would have to buy/hire a 7500Kg one. I can drive one of these because grandfather rights. but it would be stupidly expensive and inconvenient.

I have decided that a big trailer is probably the best option now

However it does seem bizarre that I can legally load the LC80 up to around 2800KG and actually tow (All on the plate) another 3500Kg on top of that!

OTOH, I can only tow 2500KG behind my twin wheel Luton van (Plated at 3500KG)

(IE the total MAM for the Luton is significantly less than for the Landcruiser)

Why? How? Who works all this out and how do the numbers work?

(The Luton has a MAM of 6000Kg, LC80 nearer (Cant recall exact number) 6300Kg)

I dare say there was a Lawyer in there somewhere!

(Edit on towing limit for Luton)