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We will just have to disagree, put simply weight in itself is not the only factor that affects stability otherwise your 44 ton articulated waggon would be the most unstable outfitimaginable. My van is never loaded to its maximum and my car always has considerably more inside when it is towing which is why I was at pains to say that the actual difference when towing is more like 300kg than the 46kg you make such a big deal about. Please read carefully what I said before making statements like " but how many times do you load the van to the max and the car not". 

One of the problems that is going to happen more and more is that because the way the law has been framed since 1997 more and more of the large and heavy 4X4's that some people think are the only things that are fit to tow with will become illegal for a growing number of drivers as it is very very difficult to find modern caravans that when added to the approx maximum laden weight of a 4X4 of 2500kg and more give a train weight which is less than the legal limit for drivers licenced after 1997 of 3500kg. So instead of finding fault with whatever vehicle people who have experience have tried and found to be extremely capable towcars at this level, and which come within all the professional bodies definition of acceptable  combination matches, perhaps those doubting thomases should actually consider trying something before criticising. I have tried the alternatives and found them to be not as good or as stable as the car I now drive and it is for that reason that I CHOOSE to drive the extremely safe and stable combination that I do instead of using something which might to the less discerning seem not to be as good a match as their behemoth towing the behemoth  of a caravcan that they must have.

Quote: Originally posted by janus on 19/2/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by bluesriff on 19/2/2011

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I've never seen a Land Rover caravan combo "the wrong way up"!!!! 

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Not that it means anything since over the years I have seen only one or two combiations upside down but those I have seen have always been a landrover with a big twin axle.

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However there is not much help being given as to WHAT TOWCAR!!

How much does the van weigh, what is your budget do you have anything in mind which people can comment upon.

Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 20/2/2011

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However there is not much help being given as to WHAT TOWCAR!!

How much does the van weigh, what is your budget do you have anything in mind which people can comment upon.

 

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OP mentioned an Adria Altea 542td which weighs in at 1500kg which would be perfectly well matched to a diesel version of a Mk4 Mondeo, Skoda Superb, Audi A6 or A4, BMW 5 series or 3 series, Citroen c5, Mercedes C class, Saab 9.5, Volvo S60 or V70. There are of course quite a number of large people carriers of the Ford Smax kind that would do very well along with most 4X4s though the heavier they are the more difficult it is to fit in with the 1997 licence conditions which may or may not apply to the OP. Unless I am missing something other manufacturers offerings in this class of vehicle ( including my own Mondeo mk3 ) would not have sufficient kerbweight to be even considered as a towing vehicle.

That's fine for those amongst us who know the max permissible or know where to look for it.  Without it recommendations are not too much use. 

Your list is something I agree with but the budget is the major factor methinks.

Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 20/2/2011

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That's fine for those amongst us who know the max permissible or know where to look for it.  Without it recommendations are not too much use. 

Your list is something I agree with but the budget is the major factor methinks.

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I'm not sure I understand you, each of those cars would be a good match for the OP's proposed caravan the max permissable weight for each of them is within the accepted levels. As a recommendation I would goto the car I know best which is the Mondeo and which would fit within any budget that was above £7k rising to whatever the OP wanted to spend unless of course he wanted to spend an inordinately high sum of money.

We love our Disco but the downfall is the fuel economy - around 23mpg.  Granted it isn't a lot less when towing.  We only keep it because it is great for towing a horse trailer off muddy fields.  Most of the time cars are driven solo.

If it was just a caravan we had we would get a more frugal car.  A large and heavy 4x4 is always going to be heavy on fuel - its the laws of physics.

Most people have to compromise, they have different requirements for a car for day to day use. Then again as described above the licence requirements for someone who passed their test after 01/01/1997 make it an imperative to find a vehicle where the MAM of the car added to the MTPLM of the caravan is less than 3500kg which rules out virtually every 4X4 unless they can find a caravan that has a MTPLM of less than 1000kg. As far as Bio is concerned the diesel pumps of most modern diesel engines are very prone to failure when using bio and the cost of buying and fitting a diesel pump make the savings to be gained by using bio pale ito insignificance in comparison.

Quote: Originally posted by bluesriff on 20/2/2011

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wouldn't have to worry about max weight n stuff if ya just stopped faffin and get a 4x4  why comprimise??? if ya worried about fuel econemy run it on bio!

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Just to start another debate!! running on bio fuel, namely rapeseed oil, is pushing the price of food up and therefore inflation!!

I work for a food manufacturer and rape oil prices have doubled with bio fuel demands outstripping food demands for the first time.

What we need is nuclear powered vehicles!!!