Can I tow I tow a lightweight Caravan with a Jimny

funkyjimny wrote: I'm a caravanner, love it. My Jimny won't go anywhere near towing my van though so I have a naff land rover for that.
There are a couple of sets of important figures, the first two are from the manufacturer, maximum towing weights for braked and unbraked trailers, these are the maximum the jimny can physically tow. The most important though is the 85% rule! never tow more than 85% of the weight of the towcar otherwise the caravan is in control of the car rather than the car in control of the caravan.
For instance, a land rover discovery according to the manufacturer can tow 2500kg, the manufacturer gets these figures from government rules which state that the max towing limit must be what a car can tow from a standing start on a 1in4 hill. But the 85% rule states that to tow safely the caravan must weigh no more than 85% of the kerbweight of the towcar, which is less than 2500kg. This is not the law but if you have an accident towing more than 85% then you are likely to be prosecuted for dangerous driving.
Ask about this at the caravan dealer, a reputable dealer will not sell you a caravan weighing more than 85% of your towcar! and recent problems I have had after a caravan accident also show that your insurance may be void if towing above 85%.

Gary

Not wanting to rain on your parade but that is not true. First any big land rover ie not a freelander or evoque is legally able to tow 3500kg. Second the 85% rule is a guideline set by the caravan club and has no legal standing otherwise how could farmers and other industries tow commercial trailers full of sheep or bricks or diggers. Thirdly the incline used is not 1in4 but 1in8. Finally insurance will not be voided unless you are over the manufacturers weight limit, they will however avoid paying at any cost and will try and find as many reasons as possible but being over an arbitrary guideline set by a non government organisation is not one.

gilburton wrote: Do you mean the wiring route or how it is wired in?

Hi Gilburton
Could you please take a pic of the wiring in to the lamp.
Thanks
Richard

To be honest I can't do it today as I'm away from home but it's simple!
run the wire behind the bumper and remove the light unit.
I then pushed the wire from the number plate through the rubber grommet in to the bumper alongside the existing lighting wire.
I then connected one to the red/yellow wire(tail light) and the other to the black wire(earth)
It doesn't matter which number plate wire goes where but if you've used standard red/black wire red to red/yellow and,obviously black to black.
I figured the scotch clips would be a bit more protected if I connected inside the bumper rather than doing it behind the bumper where it is subject to splash from the rear wheel.
To be honest I can't remember whether I actually went in to the light unit or just connected between the light unit and bumper but it's only 2 screws to find out and you can always visually check the colour of the wire supplying the tail light as earlier cars might be different?
Before putting light unit back check it works and stand back and admire :laugh:
Put a pic on the site

Thanks for that.
I'll have a go with that this week.
I'll post pics when it's done.

gilburton wrote: To be honest I can't do it today as I'm away from home but it's simple!
run the wire behind the bumper and remove the light unit.
I then pushed the wire from the number plate through the rubber grommet in to the bumper alongside the existing lighting wire.
I then connected one to the red/yellow wire(tail light) and the other to the black wire(earth)
It doesn't matter which number plate wire goes where but if you've used standard red/black wire red to red/yellow and,obviously black to black.
I figured the scotch clips would be a bit more protected if I connected inside the bumper rather than doing it behind the bumper where it is subject to splash from the rear wheel.
To be honest I can't remember whether I actually went in to the light unit or just connected between the light unit and bumper but it's only 2 screws to find out and you can always visually check the colour of the wire supplying the tail light as earlier cars might be different?
Before putting light unit back check it works and stand back and admire :laugh:
Put a pic on the site

Have you got it finished yet?
I'd like to see the folding plate holder as it sounds a better idea than mine although mine was done in a bit of a rush as I was going away.
Where did you get the plate holder from??

Hi Gilburton
I've done some more today
I had to get some eBay nylon bushes that would allow the number plate lamp to stick further out (it was too far back as the hinged bracket brings the plate out by about 2 or 3cm).
It now works a treat although I've still got to wire it up.
Here are some pics that'll show how it looks.
The hinge works a treat
Ta

gilburton wrote: Have you got it finished yet?
I'd like to see the folding plate holder as it sounds a better idea than mine although mine was done in a bit of a rush as I was going away.
Where did you get the plate holder from??