Towing

[Albannach]

Just a quick sense check. Am I right in saying that I can't, legally, tow a Surf on a trailer with a Surf?

[muddle]

nope you cant, the combined weight of the trailer and whatever you are towing must weigh less then the tow vehicle.

[chris1bev]

Agree

[Albannach]

the combined weight of the trailer and whatever you are towing must weigh less then the tow vehicle.

Are you sure that's the case?

[BUSHWHACKER]

You can with a 3rd gen.

[Albannach]

You can with a 3rd gen.

It was a discussion I was having with Mark earlier. He can tow my Surf on a trailer, but I can't tow his Pajero on the same trailer, even though the two trucks are roughly the same weight.

[BioHazard]

That's me stuffed with the first gen then ..... you can all tow me on a trailer



Bet you all can't follow me though in the mud (tonyn is not included in that )

[BUSHWHACKER]

It was a discussion I was having with Mark earlier. He can tow my Surf on a trailer, but I can't tow his Pajero on the same trailer, even though the two trucks are roughly the same weight.

It is a bit of a grey area.
The 2nd gen is certainly capable of towing another Surf on a trailer, Stormforce used to do it regularly, and I very much doubt VOSA or traffic cops have any idea about the towing limits of a Surf if you were pulled over into a layby. They can only go by what the towbar manufacturer's plate says.

[Albannach]

They can only go by what the towbar manufacturer's plate says.

Where are those plates usually fitted? I've got a tubular tow bar, which should be ok for 3.5 tonnes (same as the drop hitch and ball), but I can't see anything on it.

[HONEST AL]

Towing weights

The trailer and its load should weigh 95% or less than the towing vehicle.If the trailer and vehicle on it weigh more than the towing vehicle then according to the AA it would be a case of the tail wagging the dog,therefore unsafe,if only because you are towing nearly 3 tons.
Not sure about the legalities of it though,If you do load it wrong and have an accident the rozzers will hang you out to dry.Two Surfs and a trailer must weigh around 5 tons,I wouldnt want to be on the wrong side of that lot coming at me at speed !!!!

[Diezel Weazel]

I n a few others had no such probs towing n with the right equipment (trailer) ya won't draw attention of the Rossers !!!

10+ Years of Surfs .... n Faultless to a " T " is my Yota

[BUSHWHACKER]

Exactly Jess.
Me on my way from Bridgend to Cornwall..... (before I replaced the knackered springs on the back)

[Diezel Weazel]

That looks very Professional Vince even if it is a 3rd Gen !!

10+ Years of Surfs .... n Faultless to a " T " is my Yota

[TonyN]

The % of tow vehicle weight is bunk, a Defender 90 can tow 3500kg, no way it weighs that much.

The trouble with a Surf is there is no official towing weight.

But if you ever get caught you have to prove in court you are doing you best to play by the rules, so taking a known equilivent model (UK 4Runner, max trailer weight 2200kgs as a guide is perfectly reasonable according to old bill friends I have.

Kerb weight of a 4Runner is 1920kg according to MOT charts, so an empty one probably 1800ish, so if you're trailer weighs 300kg you could do it fine.

Personally, I've towed Surfs all over the country with my 2nd Gen, without getting to much attention.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Must be a really old photo Tony, your wheels are shiny!