I am a seasoned camper, but I generally use a tent or rent out a static. After a very windy few days in the tent and a couple of broken poles I am thinking I could bite the bullet and try my luck with a used caravan.
I have been reading the internet, and confusing myself with all the numbers that relate to towing, and I am not sure if I can do it or not with my car?
It is an astra h 08. 1.3cdti, estate.
I understand I can tow 85% of the cars weight. Means I should be ok with a caravan weighing under 1100kg or so? 2 berth with awning would probably do me, the missis and our 2 kids. I have been looking on eBay and seen some that are 1000kg or so for a grand to 1500 or so.
Is this going to be doable or will it be painful to drive?
Also how does this weight affect my luggage? Can I load it up, and tow 1000kg or so safely?
You need to check the max towing weight of your car as it may be lower than 1000kg. The weight should be on the V5, the weight plate on the car and in the handbook.
You can only tow at 85% if this does not exceed the manufacturer's max towing limit.
I hope you don’t mind me being blunt Martin, but it would be a real pain towing a caravan with your car mate. A 1.3 cc just isn’t going to cut it I am afraid, the whole experience would be frustrating.
Just my opinion, but I have decades of towing various “stuff” around. Good luck.
Quote: Originally posted by Mike3003 on 31/7/2020
I hope you don’t mind me being blunt Martin, but it would be a real pain towing a caravan with your car mate. A 1.3 cc just isn’t going to cut it I am afraid, the whole experience would be frustrating.
Just my opinion, but I have decades of towing various “stuff” around. Good luck.
im so glad you said it and not me, a friend had the 1.6 version and that struggled and that caravan was only 1000kgs totally gut less
No I don't mind at all, reason I signed up and posted was to get some people's views as I couldn't find an ultimate answer on Google.
The car is a very good runner and although it's a 1.3 it's quite lively. No matter how full I load it, it never feels any different. It just had a new clutch after December so should be all good there. It needs a tow bar on it which is going to cost me £350. Shame I can't find anyone with the same car that's tried it already.
Provided the towing weights are obeyed you should be OK. Many will say you need a large car but it all depends.
A small car means you will be going a little slower on hills and you may be generally towing at 55mph not 60 but the slow lane is full of lorries all doing 55. As long as you are happy with that it is fine.
I have towed a Freedom Sunseeker 750kg van with a Mini Metro and it was fine.
If you want to travel a long way you may want something more powerful but for up to 100 miles each way you will be OK.
I've towed with a 1.6 tdi diesel myself and it was great on the flat but climbing the slightest motorway incline it was a matter of changing up and down the gears and going down hill was somewhat daunting and sometimes scary. Hill starts were a nightmare to say the least and didn't make towing a pleasure in any way. Your car maybe a good runner now but your new clutch will certainly take a battering that's for sure so if you are going to seriously tow any weights behind the car then you at least need the right tools for job. It's not just a matter of having a good match but the need to have torque delivery to be able to pull the caravan as well. Without sounding offensive, basically it's like expecting a donkey to do the same job as a shire horse!
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 31/7/2020
I've towed with a 1.6 tdi diesel myself and it was great on the flat but climbing the slightest motorway incline it was a matter of changing up and down the gears and going down hill was somewhat daunting and sometimes scary. Hill starts were a nightmare to say the least and didn't make towing a pleasure in any way. Your car maybe a good runner now but your new clutch will certainly take a battering that's for sure so if you are going to seriously tow any weights behind the car then you at least need the right tools for job. It's not just a matter of having a good match but the need to have torque delivery to be able to pull the caravan as well. Without sounding offensive, basically it's like expecting a donkey to do the same job as a shire horse!
Post last edited on 31/07/2020 20:35:38
100% agreed, the op is just asking far to much out of his car, ok it may pull say a folding camper, but when you add the wind on it towing a caravan, its going to be practically stood still!
and yes you should be bothered about holding people up! if your failing to make progress safely then you can get fined for that too you know.
Quote: Originally posted by Martin1976 on 02/8/2020
Seen a few insignia 2.0cdti's on auto trader that look nice. Seem to be efficient and powerful. Might look at one of those and a 4 berth van.
dont forget tho an insignia can weigh 2300kgs, so only leaving you a fully loaded weight of 1200 if you havent took your towing test
I pretty much agree with the other replies here. According to the figures you have given, you can legally tow up to 1300kg with your Astra. However, that's asking a heck of a lot of a 1.3-litre engine and the car will inevitably struggle for performance, meaning that anything but the shortest journeys will probably be hard work.
A 2.0 diesel Insignia is a much better bet but as Marg has said, the weight of the caravan you can tow will be limited if you have a post-1997 'Category B' licence. A point to add is that licensing requirements are based on maximum plated weights and NOT actual weights - therefore if your car's maximum plated weight was 2300kg, to tow a caravan with an MTPLM of 1250kg with it would be illegal irrespective of whether it was actually loaded to that amount.
------------- "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."
I have a 95 license. It has the c entries on it. How much can I tow with that? I've seen a couple of 2.0 Astra's with the same engine as the insignia. The insignia looks nicer though 😀