can you tow TOWING

[SYL]

Hi all, hope your all having a good weekend 😊 

 

Can I legally tow with my alphard? I was looking on Google for the towing weight and found it but also read that because it does not show a towing weight on the plate it is not legal and will invalidate my insurance.  Is this true?

[Rojie]

10 hours ago, SYL said:

Hi all, hope your all having a good weekend 😊 

 

Can I legally tow with my alphard? I was looking on Google for the towing weight and found it but also read that because it does not show a towing weight on the plate it is not legal and will invalidate my insurance.  Is this true?

 

Hello Sylvia,

 

There already is a thread on this forum on this topic.

 

It's certainly worth a read; although it does contain conflicting opinions !

 

I guess the only way to be sure is to ask your insurance companies; (or a few others that you are not with first !)

[SYL]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me.  Its a minefield.  My Vin plate shows no weights. I have the towbar fitted it came with it and a Thule Rack to carry a maximum of 50 kilos.  Can it be classed as towing cos it has no contact with the road?

[SYL]

On 7/3/2023 at 6:30 PM, Arthur said:

You need to get a rail fitted. The pop-top may prove a hindrance but it can be overcome. Search the forum for ‘awnings’ - there’s plenty of postings.

 

On 7/3/2023 at 7:52 PM, Clare M said:

I got a rail fitted and I have a pop up.  I went to a local conversion company to get it fitted.  It is brilliant.  Just still practicing reattaching the awning when I go out for the day!  I have a smallish awning Vango Kela V airbeam.

 

On 7/3/2023 at 9:39 PM, Arthur said:

Hi Syl.  I note that you’re in Wigan (I’m on the Wirral).  H L Campers in Liverpool glued a rail to my pop-top campervan for less than £100 and I’m sure they’d be happy to advise you on your options.  They do a lot of work with Gaz Tech who are Alphard specialists based in Warrington.

 

On 7/3/2023 at 8:58 PM, Gazza said:

Check out my solution to this on an earlier forum. I've added a photo too

 

Let me know if you can't find it and I'll send a copy.

.

 

On 7/4/2023 at 7:25 AM, Gazza said:

Hi Sylvia

 

If you click on the search button, top right of the home page, click on the down arrow and select members from list. Type in Gazza and search.

click on the Gazza icon and you'll see the postings for the roof rail and canopy fixings.

 

Basically I have used tool magnets from Lidl which slot on the top of the camper and keep the awning in place. I generally use three, I find this is plenty.

They are super strong and will withstand very strong winds!

They're also relatively cheap, just a couple of pounds each. I noticed our local Lidl store have them in now.

 

Just be careful not to get your fingers trapped in them, it hurts like hell!

 

Let me know if this helps or you need more information, pictures etc.

 

On 7/4/2023 at 2:45 PM, Gazza said:

Hi,

 

These are exactly the same on Amazon.

 

Woodside Garage Wall Tool Holder, 18”/46cm Heavy Duty Powerful Magnetic Strip (pack of 4)

£9.99

 

On 7/4/2023 at 5:24 PM, Gazza said:

Hi

Yes, mine is a pop top roof. I find the magnetic bars fit neatly. See photos showing just two bars in place.

 

On 7/4/2023 at 5:58 PM, Gazza said:

No they don't scratch the roof. I usually slide them through a loop which my wife has seen on the edge of the awning, or in most cases I just place them on the top of the leading edge of the awning. You can't budge them once they're on. They take some lifting off, so the canopy is very secure.

I know it's not a perfect solution but it's cheap and if you can work with them, you'll adapt them to suit your needs.

One good thing is that you. Can remove them and drive away in less than a minute, which is great.

 

On 7/4/2023 at 6:28 PM, Gazza said:

No problems.

For £10.00 it's well worth trying.

I've had all kinds of strips and awning connectors, but this idea just seems to work better and can withstand harsh weather. Living in the Lake District, we need tough engineering solutions to keep out the weather. 

😂😂

 

On 7/4/2023 at 9:17 PM, Gazza said:

I used 3, front, middle and back.

You could also stick one vertically so that the awning is fastened to the front door if you thought it would help.

When you get your magnets, just use as many or as few as you need. Beauty about these are they're flexible.

 

 

On 7/6/2023 at 10:04 AM, Gazza said:

Hi Syl

 

Here's an idea for you. If you have a sewing machine, then why not get some fabric and make a pocket for the magnets to slot into? We did this and made them about four inches longer than the magnet, so that it made it easier to pry the magnets off the van. You'll find that once these magnest are on, they are hard to remove, which is great when the wind is strong or the awning is under stress.

 

Hope this helps.

 

On 8/7/2023 at 7:59 AM, Rojie said:

 

Hello Sylvia,

 

There already is a thread on this forum on this topic.

 

It's certainly worth a read; although it does contain conflicting opinions !

 

I guess the only way to be sure is to ask your insurance companies; (or a few others that you are not with first !)

 

On 8/7/2023 at 7:59 AM, Rojie said:

 

Hello Sylvia,

 

There already is a thread on this forum on this topic.

 

It's certainly worth a read; although it does contain conflicting opinions !

 

I guess the only way to be sure is to ask your insurance companies; (or a few others that you are not with first !)

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. Its a minefield. My Vin plate shows no weights. I have the towbar fitted it came with it and a Thule Rack to carry a maximum of 50 kilos. Can it be classed as towing cos it has no contact with the road?

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, SYL said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. Its a minefield. My Vin plate shows no weights. I have the towbar fitted it came with it and a Thule Rack to carry a maximum of 50 kilos. Can it be classed as towing cos it has no contact with the road?

 

Hello again,

 

IMHO, carrying a cycle rack is not towing.

Towing, by my definition, would involve a trailer of some sort (with al least one wheel on the ground).

 

The additional weight (on the rear axle) will (probably) be less than carrying passengers in the rear seats.

 

Ask you insurance company, or a Broker if you don't wish to involve your insurance company.

Or call the Police in your area and, anonymously ask them !

[kev1839]

The definitive answer here is that towing weights only have to be displayed on vin plates for vehicles built for the European markets. There is no legal requirement for you to have a vin plate showing towing weights as, obviously these are Japanese market imported vehicles . Most insurance companies won't be bothered either way so probably won't provide any answer . I've yet to hear of anybody towing with an Alphard being stopped by the law . Obviously you need to keep within towing limits . I believe alphards are around the 18-1900kg mark for kerb weight. Staying within the 85% rule towing up to around 1500kg is perfectly legal 

[Philllx]

As kev1839 has already covered, just make sure you advise your insurance as a towbar is a modification, and there aware what your using it for , there was no change in price for me.

[SYL]

1 hour ago, kev1839 said:

The definitive answer here is that towing weights only have to be displayed on vin plates for vehicles built for the European markets. There is no legal requirement for you to have a vin plate showing towing weights as, obviously these are Japanese market imported vehicles . Most insurance companies won't be bothered either way so probably won't provide any answer . I've yet to hear of anybody towing with an Alphard being stopped by the law . Obviously you need to keep within towing limits . I believe alphards are around the 18-1900kg mark for kerb weight. Staying within the 85% rule towing up to around 1500kg is perfectly legal 

Thank you so much for that information,  now that makes sense. So because alphards are imported mainly because of conversion and have not been made for export I am legal to tow? Marvellous. Bought it with a tow bar and Thule rack so I will not br frightened of using it now if needed. 

 

Do I need to tell my insurance that there us a towbar on my van? 

[kev1839]

Always best to tell them 

[SYL]

2 minutes ago, Philllx said:

As kev1839 has already covered, just make sure you advise your insurance as a towbar is a modification, and there aware what your using it for , there was no change in price for me.

Thanks, I had just asked Kev that question. 

 

I will call them tomorrow and let them know. 

 

Thanks for all you help everyone 🙏 

[SYL]

1 minute ago, kev1839 said:

Always best to tell them 

Thanks so much for your support really appreciated 🙏 😊