Rules on towing

[djbobbins]

Can anyone help me out with a query?

 

I have recently had, as a works vehicle, a Kia Niro (petrol electric hybrid). When the car was launched, they said a towing option (for up to 1300kg towing) would be coming at the end of last year, but have since change their mind and are not going to offer this as an option for the UK.

 

The company website towing capacity is nil, which was backed up when I spoke to Kia UK before ordering.

 

However, now I've had the car delivered, I read the manual and it says (for European spec vehicles) that you can tow up to 600kg unbraked or 1000kg braked.

 

I'm therefore curious as to which should take precedence. Can I reasonably rely on the handbook, get a towbar fitted and not invalidate the warranty / be in trouble with VOSA if I was to get pulled?

[felixthelogchopper]

You will have to look at the chassis plate.

[Johny Walker]

Just buy a motor fit for purpose:biggrin:

[donnk]

its a hairdryer, be careful you dont burn it out towing.

[Daniël Bos]

Is the manual in more than one language?

On my brother's old SsangYong the manual said 3.5t braked in Dutch, 2.7t braked in English...

 

My old Jeep was the opposite, 3.5t in English, 3.36 in Dutch.

 

So this made me think the method of calculating the capacity must be different for different places? As such I'd think the numbers in the manual don't apply.

 

Maybe someone knows how towing weights are calculated?

[djbobbins]

You will have to look at the chassis plate.

 

 

Second number slot on the chassis plate is blank so I assume that means it is not homologated for towing.

[Stubby]

Keep the towed payload behind you at all times

[Daniël Bos]

Had a look, the variants in the Netherlands that are allowed to tow (1300kgs) have all been fitted with better brakes, better cooling system and I think some other minor things.

Models without these changes can still have a towbar for mounting a bike rack or such but aren't allowed to tow.

[felixthelogchopper]

Second number slot on the chassis plate is blank so I assume that means it is not homologated for towing.

 

There's your answer.