Kerbweights help required

[LeeB]

Hi all,

Just looking at buying a 406 as a towcar, but I seem to be gtting diffeent opinions on kerbweights!

The car I am looking at is a 2002, 2.0 HDi 90 Rapier. Online, I have been quoted around 1330 as the mimimum kerbweight, but 1870 as the gross vehicle weight.

Can anyone confirm for me, what the MANUFACTURERS STATED KERBWEIGHT (as in the handbook figure) is for these vehicles?


Thanks in advance,

Lee.

[jasper5]

Kerb weight...RHY code...1,300kg.GVW....1,870kg.

Kerb weight...RHZ code....1,410kg.GVW...1,950kg.

[mark21TD]

Hi Lee and welcom,
You may also need the max grose train waight (max for car and trailer together) as this can put many people over waight.
I beleave this is about 3,200kg but depends on model so you will need to check.
The 406 makes a very good tow car, but the HDI 110 is the bettor bet for towing heavy loads (unless you own BP then go for the V6 )

[MartinV6]

The 406 makes a very good tow car, but the HDI 110 is the bettor bet for towing heavy loads (unless you own BP then go for the V6 )

I'll agree with this. I often use our V6 to tow two motorbikes to circuits, and I have towed my 335i and hired trailer 250 miles back from Yorkshire too.

I used to own an HDi Rapier 90, and whilst I never towed anything with it, I imagine it would cope nearly as well as the V6. Probably have to use 4th a bit more on the hills, but no big problem.

Martin.

[mjb]

I found the 2.0 turbo also has the grunt to tow a Clio around without it feeling sluggish on acceleration

[Doggy]

Towcar of the Year 2002

[LeeB]

Thanks for the help Guys.

Been and bought the car today:

2002 (02 reg) 406 Rapier HDi.
2 owners from new, 12 months MOT, 6 months tax and a full service history including a load of bills!

Last service waas 700 miles ago

One or two minor looking faults with it, so I guess I'll be putting a request for help up soon after I collect it!



Regards,
Lee.

[trem1]

see if this helps
http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm

[jasper5]

Take a look on that site at the "Citroen Berlingo safety recall". That is exactly what is needed on the 406, I tried a while back to explain that I had seen a couple of 406 fitted with these, It is fitted to stop the spring dropping down onto the wheel when the spring breaks or the bottom shelf corrodes.

[Longintooth]

Hi
Bear in mind the reality of what the towing weights mean and the consequences of exceeding them. The ability to pull the GTW is one thing, the ability to maintain control is another. Properly equipped trailers can cope well with the braking and will take the load within it's rated GVW , however, if the towing vehicle is not balanced weight wise e.g. Full trailer, driver only, the weight distribution can be unsafe in many small cars - the trailer will wag the car, sometimes with serious consequences even with anti yaw devices fitted. Attention should be paid to the amount of weight on the hitch of the trailer - having too little is worse than too much but too much is putting the rear coil springs at risk - as Jasper commented, if your going to do some serious towing get some spring buffers fitted.
Often, induced oscillations caused by passing trucks etc can render your trailer combination lethal. The 406 HDi 110 is a great car for towing in most cases but I do think the DMF will be it's Achilles heel if used often with full loads. There are legal limits to the weight private cars can tow so check them as well as the manufacturers recommendations - I believe it's 70% of the car Kerb weight if the trailer is braked currently but you can check by going to the Vosa web site for a full interpretation of the law. All commercial heavies are subject to tight controls on weight for all these reasons.
John

[jasper5]

I made no comment about towing or dangers of.

I was referring to the safety recall on certain Citroen Berlingos, they recalled these vehicles because the front springs were breaking at the bottom coil, the whole spring fell onto the front tyre (just like the 406 does).