Van Weight

[rtcruiser]

Hi just new to this Vintage Vanning caper.

I've inherited a V V from my great Aunt who recently passed away. Not sure on the make and model at this stage as my main objective is to save it from the crusher (her son was going to have it wreaked to get rid of it until I volunteered to save it).

The van is a small 10' model from 1960 and is made from aluminium. What I was wondering is does anyone know approximately what a van like this might weigh.

The only reason I am asking is that I want to tow it behind my PT Cruiser and it only has a small (450kg) towing capacity.

[groovy]

Hi Cruiser
In the fities and sixties, commercially built 7' wide vans were generally considered to weigh (tare) around 1 cwt (or 50kg if your young), per foot of body length. A proviso here is that the weight is very much subject to the brand.

Are you sure about the towing limit on your PT Cruiser, the reason I ask is that in a Hayman Reece listing I have, it lists the Neon as towing 450kg with a ballweight of 50kg with the PT Cruiser limits as 1000kg towing and 100kg ballweight. The list I have is pretty old at about 2001 or 2002, not sure when I got it, but if it is correct you will have plenty of capacity for the van.

I just did a search on www.haymanreese.com.au/index.htm
and this is the current listing for your car.
Sub Category / Vehicle Year Product No. Description RRP Rating / Ball Weight (kgs)
CHRYSLER 11/2000-on 1861 PT Cruiser (C) $331.00 1000/100
1

It appears the tow limit of 1000kg with a 100kg ballweight is correct, but check with Chrysler as they have the final say.
Greg

[rtcruiser]

Thank Groovey

My spec sheet has the PT at only 450kg which seeing as the PT and Neon share some of the floor pan and engines this seems about right. I'm on the PT Cruisers Downunder site and there was a recall put out some time ago regarding the towing capacity. Apparently some bright spark in Australia simply changed to pounds to kg with out doing the convention on the number . So all the tow bars were labelled with double their capacity.

I'm sure the car is capable of towing more but I just can't take the risk with the warranty or insurance company.

I have been going over some of my old Wheels and Modern Motor magazines to find similar sized vans in there. I only found 1 from 1965 and it was 7 3/4 cwt. After much googling I worked this out to be 398 kg so your conversion of 50kg/cwt is a good guide.

I assume though that the later vans might be a bit lighter.

[dosse]

G'Day rtcruiser
We have a 1960 aluminium van about 13 feet long,weight is about 700kg.Hope this is a help.
Regards dosse
David

[fcdriver]

Hi
Our Pixi weighed in at 440kg
See pic of the Pixi in the general section
fcdriver

[groovy]

PT Cruiser
Later model vans are generally heavier then their earlier counterparts. This is brought about by having "luxuries" like fridges, gas stoves, more glass and insulation along with generally being wider at 7' 6" - 8'

I would send Chrysler an email asking what is the legal limit you can tow, rather than just what the book states. It seems strange that Hayman Reece would make and label a towbar at those weight limits without getting it in writing from Chrysler.
Greg

For future reference, 1 cwt = 112 lbs or 50.9kg
20cwt = 1 ton or 1018.2kg

[rtcruiser]

Found a copy of the letter from Chrysler

If you have a genuine Mopar towbar:
Notification that a difference exists between the specification labels affixed to Mopar towbars fitted to PT Cruisers up to Sept 2005, and the towing information provided in the owner's handbook

Condition:
The information provided in the owner's handbook stipulates that the maximum allowable towing capacity for the vehicle is 450kgs, whilst the specification plate on the towbar indicates a 1000kg maximum towing capacity. Current regulations provide that where there is a difference between the two, the lesser of the two is applicable.

Rectification:
The specification plate and adhesive label on the towbar and tongue respectively will be replaced free of charge with a plate/label reflecting the maximum vehicle towing capacity.

We request you make arrangements with any authorised Chrysler Jeep Dealership to have this replacement carried out without delay at a mutually convenient time.

We sincerely regret and inconvenience this may entail and seek your cooperation in having the replacement completed as soon as possible.

Looks like although the bar it self is rated for 1,000kg Chrysler will only certify the car for 450kg. From memory Hayman Reese supply Chrysler with the bars anyway.

[scootman]

Gee I would have thought that the pt could tow more than that, jsut looking at it that is.

How do you say CWT?
Scoot

[rtcruiser]

fcdriver

Found the pictures of the Pixie and mine is very similar. By coincidence the van was also dragged around the country by an EH for most of it's life. Before that I think it was and FC or an EK or something

The EH was bought new and I'm pretty sure the van was as well, so it is a one owner. The original awning is with it as well but not sure what condition this will be in. The van was last registered in 1974 so it has been folded up for 32 years and might just fall apart .

I also think it has had a later 3 way fridge fitted

[rtcruiser]

Scoot

cwt is a hundred weight. The c is Roman numeral for 100

[scootman]

Thanks for that, I thought it might have been carrotweight or something, Gee the things you learn.

[rtcruiser]

I'll get that done to double check. Hopefully it will be within the towing limit of the car, otherwise I won't get to use it and could have to sell it. At least selling it to an enthusiast is better than it being wrecked.

The other alternative is to fit a tow bar to my other car, a 1977 Chrysler Regal SE. Now I know this would have no problems towing the van at all. While it's a classic it's a bit "new' for a 1060 van .

I'm reluctant to do this simply for the fact that is so unusual to find a car like this that has never had a tow bar fitted.

[Deleted]

Hi All
Correct me if i am wrong but arent PT cruisers front wheel drive .
Chrysler may be erring to the side of caution by restricting towing weight.
The engineered design of the tow hitch and its mounting points might be able to handle the load but the car itself might not be all that easy to handle with a squashed rear end and nose up attitude. tow ball weight???

If i am wrong about any of the above then kindly disregaurd anything i have said.

Reddo

[groovy]

Reddo
Yep, considering a '95 onwards Daihatsu Charade can legally tow 700kg with either 60 or 80kg ballweight, also the little Daihatsu Centro has limits of 400/40, which is nearly equal that of the Chryslers.
Chrysler are certainly being extremely conservative in their ratings for both the Neon and PT Cruiser at 450/50.
Greg

[rtcruiser]

Reddo

Yes it is FWD so you would expect the towing to be a bit lower than a similar sized RWD (or 4WD) but 450 is pretty low.

The Chrysler site lists the tow capacity of 1,000 lb but you can buy a tow bar for it rated @ 2,000 lb with a ball weight of 200 lb.

Who knows, could be the litigation culture in the US that makes them so conservative

I could get a 300C. That will tow 1,725 kg

[retro1]

Hi there rtcruiser,
I own a PT Cruiser ( RETRO 1) I also own a vintage van with a weight of apprx 650 kgs in which I was told that the PT could tow. After about 6 months Chrysler Aust put out a warning stating that there was a confusion with Hayman Reece towbars and that the tow weight was 450kgs ( 1000lbs) ???and that if you tow over this legally you are breaking the law. I towed my van over 2000k's and had no problems but if you get in an accident then legally you should have not been on the road (bla, bla ,bla) I do not tow with it any more but would tow a small teardrop instead. I have had my PT since new and have had no problems with it.
Go to the member pics and go to "My Castle Caravan" and see the size of my van. It also appears on the right under my name.
If you choose to tow the van it is your choice but I got a quote for a clutch and it was cheaper to buy the EK Holden as a clutch was $150 and easy to replace

If you have any question regarding the van or car please cotact me.

Cheers
retro1

[rtcruiser]

Retro1

Have checked your van out and got the details for this site from your posts on PT Cruisers Downunder and it was you who started me on the whole van thing.

Will just have to play it by ear I suppose but the van is only a 10' tinny so here's hoping

[retro1]

Cheers
Most vans from that era were around the 750kg mark.
I would as I said before buy an old car for the old van as they look great together.
Cheers
retro1

[humpty2]

Why dont you simply find out your tow ball weight with a set of bathroom scales.............just put your coupling on them, using a bit of 50mm squ timber to achieve the tow angle.......if you know the weight of your van it should be 10% of that weight...........that might help in loading the van too, and placement of accessories.