I've read something about it on the French Forum but this article was added to the "Gazoline" Group on Facebook today. It will translate into English.

http://www.lepoint.fr/automobile/securit...hp#xtor=CS2-259

Legally, it doesn't affect Eriba pullers with heavy tow vehicles (even VW Tourans fit the bill) as the maximum towing capability of these vehicles as part of a likely train, exceeds 3.5 tonnes. If your tow vehicle is plated as being capable of towing, lets say, a 1700 kg wobbly box and it weighs in at more than 1800 kg, you are only permitted to travel at 80 km/h. It doesn't matter that your Eriba only weights 1200 kg.

Randa

I was under the impression that a lower towing speed applied for any vehicle where the theoretical max train weight was in excess of 3500kg. Note theoretical and not actual.
So in my case of my 110bhp 2wd Yeti the max permissible train weight is 3450kg and I can tow my 1200kg Triton at the same speed as solo vehicles.
If I had a 170bhp 4wd with a far higher max permissible train weight in excess of 3500kg then I would have to tow at a lower speed, even if towing a Familia or Puck.
Totally illogical.

Colin

Yes, that's also as I read it. Our Touran falls into that category yet our Troll is only 1000kg fully laden. Therefore if I elected to tow it with a 1300 Astra then I would be allowed to tow it at 130km/h.

Randa

So, come on then MAM, what's the correct term for train weight?

This is the plate on the lower nearside door post on our VW. Plate.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

The first figure is the vehicle weight. 2260kg.
The second figure is the maximum permissible combined weight of the vehicle and trailer. 3760kg. (over 3500kg )

So the maximum trailer weight my VW can tow is 1500kg and it's the plate that Le Flic is interested in. They don't give a hoot if you've only got a 500kg sheep trailer on the back.

Randa

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #7

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So, come on then MAM, what's the correct term for train weight?

This is the plate on the lower nearside door post on our VW.

The first figure is the vehicle weight. 2260kg.
The second figure is the maximum permissible combined weight of the vehicle and trailer. 3760kg. (over 3500kg )

So the maximum trailer weight my VW can tow is 1500kg and it's the plate that Le Flic is interested in. They don't give a hoot if you've only got a 500kg sheep trailer on the back.

Randa

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Yes, thanks Pete. I should have said the gross weight for the Touran

The New French Speed Limits for non-dual carriageways affects everybody. Bikes, solo cars, cars towing a trailer and lorries. The only reason I mentioned the current French 3500km towing law is because a lot of us are already (officially) restricted to 80km/h (50mph) max on all French roads including motorways.

There is a blanket 50 mph for all caravan pullers in Germany unless your van has been submitted to, and passed the German equivalent of an MOT which allows you to sport a 100km/h sticker.

Most other European countries also have a 50mph speed limit for caravans.

What is stupid is that HGVs are allowed to travel at more or less the UK speed limits (is it 58mph?) so we just slot into a line of lorries and gauge our speed on their progress. There's normally far more space between lorries on the Continent anyway and, although we are officially breaking the speed limit, it makes everyone happy. Good MPG too

Randa

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #9

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Yes, thanks Pete. I should have said the gross weight for the Touran

The New French Speed Limits for non-dual carriageways affects everybody. Bikes, solo cars, cars towing a trailer and lorries. The only reason I mentioned the current French 3500km towing law is because a lot of us are already (officially) restricted to 80km/h (50mph) max on all French roads including motorways.

There is a blanket 50 mph for all caravan pullers in Germany unless your van has been submitted to, and passed the German equivalent of an MOT which allows you to sport a 100km/h sticker.

Most other European countries also have a 50mph speed limit for caravans.

What is stupid is that HGVs are allowed to travel at more or less the UK speed limits (is it 58mph?) so we just slot into a line of lorries and gauge our speed on their progress. There's normally far more space between lorries on the Continent anyway and, although we are officially breaking the speed limit, it makes everyone happy. Good MPG too

Randa

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Zitat

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Quote Deeps :-This is not entirely accurate, Roger, as foreign plated vehicles can also apply (online or in person) for and receive the 100km/h sticker.

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Well that's interesting Alan. I knew foriegn vehicles could get a 100 sticker but I though they had to visit a testing station upon arrival in Germany. It seems a bit strange to allow us to apply on line as they have to take our word that the tyres, brakes and towing gear is all in order.

Is it still the case that older vans cannot apply? A few years ago we were speaking to a young German family with an oldish van and they said that they could no longer get it tested because of its age. I seem to remember it was about 15 to 20 years old.

As for us, we're happy to tour Germany at 50 mph as it's quite easy to get around at that speed and there are lots of interesting places to stop over at.

Randa

What's an Umwelt sticker? I don't have one of those...... Sorry, it's an environmental sticker so yes I do have one. A nice green one with a 4 on it.

Randa