Vehicle Classifications; Advice On Towing - Swift Motorhome Owners Service Manual

you must check you have the driving licence
entitlement for the vehicle you drive.

Vehicle classifications

Motorhomes up to 3500kg MTPLM are P/LGV
(Private Light Goods Vehicles), motorhomes
with an MTPLM over 3500kg and up to
7500kg are P/HGV (Private Heavy Goods
Vehicles). These are used in defining MOT
classifications and vehicle excise duty (road
tax) classifications.

Advice on towing

The towing capability of each motorhome
differs depending on the specific chassis and
engine types, (see 'Towing Capabilities' in your
specification handbook).
This takes account of the maximum front and
rear axle loadings as well as the minimum
front axle loading in two conditions, MRO and
MTPLM condition.
Towing in these, and any other condition
requires sensible loading and distribution of
payloads to ensure the requirements of the
towing capability table are met.
When towing, the demands on both the
vehicle and driver increase. A trailer reduces
manoeuvrability, the ability to climb hills,
acceleration and braking capacity and makes
the vehicle handle and corner differently.
It will also increase the fuel consumption of
the vehicle.
Always brake in good time. Special care must
be taken when descending gradients. Change
down before going down a steep hill so the
engine can act as a brake. Ensure that the
towing vehicle tyre pressures are correct and
adjusted for full load conditions and that the
trailer tyre pressures are as recommended by
the trailer manufacturer. Regularly check the
operation of trailer brakes and lights.
For maximum stability, when loading the trailer
ensure that the loads are properly secured
during transit. Position loads so that most of
the weight is placed close to the floor and,
where possible, immediately above or close
to the axle(s). Where the load can be divided
between trailer and tow vehicle, loading
T OW ING A DV ICE
more weight into the vehicle will generally
improve the stability of the combination.
After loading the trailer, check that the nose
weight and axle loads are in accordance
with the manufacturer's recommendations,
also check the rear and front axle loads on
the motorhome. When calculating the laden
weight of the trailer, remember to include the
weight of the trailer PLUS THE LOAD.
Note: Towing regulations vary from country
to country. It is very important to ensure
that national regulations governing towing
weights and speed limits are observed
(refer to the relevant national motoring
organisation for information). The stated
maximum permissible towing weights refer
to the vehicle's design limitations and NOT
to any specific territorial restrictions.
Notes:
1. Do not exceed the motorhome gross vehicle
train weight.
2. Do not exceed the maximum front & rear
axle loads on the motorhome.
3. Ensure the motorhome front axle load is
never less than 40% or more than 70% of
the total weight.
4. Motorhomes with an MTPLM up to 3500kg
which have European Type approval can
only be fitted with a type approved towbar
complying to 94/20/EC or ECE R55.
5. The limit for towing an un-braked trailer
is 750kg (based on VIN plate not actual
weight), this applies to a towed car.
6. A car dolly with a car with a GVW over
750kg in place is considered as two trail-
ers, these are legal for use for recovery
but under the Road Traffic Regulations Act
1984 the combination is limited to 40 mph
on motorways and dual carriageways and
20 mph elsewhere. A car dolly is not legal
for transportation (there is a very specific
difference between recovery and transporta-
tion. Recovery is defined as the removal of a
broken down vehicle to a place of safety).
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