How much unbraked weight can i tow

Stubber · 23 April 2018, 21:12

I have a 1994 Toyota Corolla 1.3 that I want to use to tow an inflatable and outboard. Having searched the internet for max unbraked weight without any success at all I was wondering if anybody here could help me.
Imagine the total weight is approx 70- 90kg for trailer, boat about 80kg and outboard up to 55kg, so about 230kg all up.
The trailer has 350 kg suspension units and there is no plate on trailer as it is home made and old.

jwalker · 23 April 2018, 21:17

750kg total including the trailer.

HDAV · 23 April 2018, 22:17

350kg per unit or per pair? Also the corolla may only have a 500kg unbraked towing weight check the manual or V5.

Last Tango · 24 April 2018, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

750kg total including the trailer.

This depends on the car.

750kg is the max by law but for example, the maximum towing capacity for an unbraked trailer for a big car like a Chrysler C300 is only 500kg.

Last Tango · 24 April 2018, 08:48

Just googled it.......680KG (1500lbs) 1994 Toyota Corolla...

Stubber · 24 April 2018, 11:39

Yes 350kg per pair for the suspension units, I have looked in the owners manual and it states contact the toyota dealer for information, I did have a quick look at log book and didn't see any relevant information, but I the weight badge on car gives 1000kg which I suppose is trailer weight, I have googled it and searched but have only found information on a New Zealand site with bigger engine and 5 door or station wagon and I have a 3 door, I think the car will manage with 250kg braking OK and as Last Tango has said 680kg I'm happy, Just want to make sure as don't want any hassle being stopped and then dragged through the coals, so also was thinking does the trailer need to be weight plated for maximum weight?

Budgie1 · 24 April 2018, 13:06

As Last Tango said depends on the car 750kg is the max, The actual figure is quoted on car log book

Last Tango · 24 April 2018, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

......, so also was thinking does the trailer need to be weight plated for maximum weight?

Irony....If it's pre 1982 then no. However if it's pre 1997 it doesn't require to have it's date of manufacture on a plate....so work that one out

Stubber · 24 April 2018, 20:25

Just had another look at the logbook and all the towing figures are blank and a lot of other simple information, the owners handbook does mention towing but no weights given.

Stubber · 24 April 2018, 20:26

The plate on car

Stubber · 24 April 2018, 20:30

Sorry no attachment for some reason

Stubber · 24 April 2018, 21:53

Just found 400kg for a 1994 corolla with a 1.6 engine

Last Tango · 24 April 2018, 22:23

This is where I got the info.....

1994 Toyota Corolla Tow Capacity - Trailers.com

The max legal limit for an unbraked trailer is 50% of the towing vehicle's weight.
Older cars are much lighter that their modern counterparts so it will limit it's towing capacity but if you're seeing 1000KG in your log book that's probably the kerb weight of the car which still gives you scope for 500Kg. I'm pretty confident that virtually any car could legally tow the 350Kg your talking about.

Stubber · 25 April 2018, 06:51

Thanks for that Last Tango, that has now jogged my memory from years back in the eighties when my Dad had boats and was considering braked/non braked.
Yes don't think i will have a problem with 250kg.
I did find the site you showed me, the thing that concerned me more was finding siites on internet that stated braked tow weights but nothing for unbraked which made me think that it was a no go

beamishken · 25 April 2018, 07:57

On the vehicles vin plate there is usualy 3 weights given first two are axle weights add those together and subtract from the third figure which is the train weight the answer gives the max towing capacity

Stubber · 25 April 2018, 09:06

Yes have worked that out at 1000kg, it's the unbaked weight I was after, and looked on loads of sites on Internet and only could find braked weight, a few foreign sites gave an unbaked weight for different engine capacity but was not sure if this worked for UK

beamishken · 25 April 2018, 16:09

I thought last Tango's 50% of the braked capacity was correct.Not sure if that is a rule but it appears to be quite common that the unbraked capacity is half braked capacity

Stubber · 25 April 2018, 17:31

Yes, I just wanted to make sure and wasn't sure what the rule was, knowing what plod and vosa can be like didn't want to get caught with my trousers down and face the consequences

Sent from my 9008X using RIB Net mobile app

beamishken · 25 April 2018, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

Yes, I just wanted to make sure and wasn't sure what the rule was, knowing what plod and vosa can be like didn't want to get caught with my trousers down and face the consequences

Sent from my 9008X using RIB Net mobile app

To be honest i dont know for sure if it is a rule but my observation has been that often the unbraked limit is half the braked. My thoughts are you'll be fine with your 350kg
Maybe vosa could advise further

Highland Haggis · 25 April 2018, 21:45

Check with Parker car checker most new cars have a lower unbraked weight the v5 log book should tell you if not ring any caravan dealer and they will tell you