Hi all,
We have an immaculate 1968 Jag 240 overdrive and want to get a classic caravan and use the Jag as Tow car. We have sourced a Tow bar manufacturer in the UK so that is not a problem. Does anyone know what the official legal towing limits and also "recommended" towing limits are for our car?

 

It should say on your Carte Grise. PTAC along with the vehicle weights and max towing capacity.

And if you have an ordinary driving licence then less than 3.5 tons PTAC.

Plus, caravans require registration and be very careful if your van is before 2000, you might have a real problem.

And talk to your French insurance company about the caravan.

Here is a link to a popular expat site.

 

Thanks for the reply, we are well aware of the legal requirements regarding towing and the need for caravan registration etc. having lived and worked here in France for many years. We also are very familiar with carte gris' but sadly the relevant sections of our CG are blank. If the sections had been completed then I would not need to be asking this seemingly stupid question.

 

Not a 'stupid' question at all, and you got me thinking.

About your missing information.

I don't know how you imported the car, or what gov't services you used, but having imported a few I find it easier and quicker to go through the DRIRE service for identifying the car.

Why not pay them a visit and discuss your needs with them. They may be able to help, but with such and old vehicle they may not have all the data.

For general towing I would suggest the old adage of 85% of the vehicle weight is the maximum that can be towed. For lack of specific information.

So that would be approx 2700lbs or 1200kg. and would still be below the total 3500kg threshold of a standard driving licence.

Sorry I can't be more specific, I would love to see your MK11 hooked up to a classic caravan, and you live in a great area for touring. I've been involved in the 4x4 scene around Dordogne and Correz. Could be quite hilly for the old girl.

 

I doubt if this kind of information was ever made available at the time the car was in production, however, if you have the owner handbook this will confirm (or confound) me.

 

A big thank you for your replies, we bought the old girl from a local (Bergerac) car museum and she was already on french plates. We too have dealt alot with DRIRE in the past and I shall contact them for any info but fear that our local office will be true to their usual form and just give a gallic shrug!
As you say this sort of information was probably neither tested or published back then and I think the suggestion of 85% of vehicle weight is a good guideline.
Will keep the forum informed.
Thanks again
Jono