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Topic: Towing Advice

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Rob and Tina

29/7/2016 at 12:47pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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The figure you need to work with is the max allowable/authorised weight of 1300 kg.

You then need the kerbweight of the car.

If the caravan is 1300 and the car is 1500 this gives you a match of just under 87%.

Hope this helps. I know it's confusing but best to check now and ask lots of questions rather than make an expensive mistake.

Rob

chrism2015

29/7/2016 at 12:52pm
Location: Keighley
Outfit: None Entered

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So if the kerbweight of the car is 1500 kgs i can tow the caravan i have bought?

Rob and Tina

29/7/2016 at 1:25pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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Basically yes but just make sure the car is allowed to tow 1300 kg.

If you look on the weight plate just inside the door you will see 4 weights: the first one will be the max allowed weight of the car when fully loaded and the second will be the max gross train weight which is the max allowed weights of car and trailer added together. If you deduct the first weight from the second you will get the figure for the max trailer weight. As an example our old Focus had a max weight of 1900 and a max train weight of 3100 so 3100 - 1900 =1200 so the max trailer weight allowed was 1200kg.

If you add the max car weight to the max caravan weight hopefully they should add up to less than 3500 to allow you to tow on your licence.

Rob

tango55

29/7/2016 at 5:27pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Quote: Originally posted by chrism2015 on 29/7/2016
these are the stats that i found for the caravan what number to i go off?

Year - 1996
2 berth
Single axle
Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 988
Maximum Allowable/Authorised Weight (Kg) - 1300
Internal Length (metres) - 4.64
Shipping Length (metres) - 6.19
Width (metres) - 2.16
Awning Size (cm) - 874
Layout - EW

The above details you have provided are exactly the same as my caravan and I tow with a Volvo V50 2.4 tdi 6 speed manual (D5 Volvo engine) which has a kerbweight of 1568 kgs. so the the match is 84%. The engine has a massive 180 BHP with 258 lbs/ft. engine torque which is ideal for standing starts and inclines.
The 2.0 ltr. tdi. is a Ford engine but would be more likely to be in your price range than the 2.4 version but has a 6 speed gearbox and capable of towing the above caravan. It has a kerbweight of 1456 kgs. with 136 BHP and 236 lbs./ft. engine torque. The match between car and caravan would be around 89%.
Hope this information helps.

SamandRose

02/8/2016 at 2:00pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart

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Those details are similar to my caravan as well (6.5m shipping length, 1250kg max. authorised weight). I tow with a VW Passat 2.0 TDI (150bhp) and it's superb. Most manufacturers of similar sized cars over the last decade or so sold them with 140/150bhp diesel engines so as long as you make sure you don't buy something less powerful, you should be fine.

Another point is that the load allowance of 312kg (1300-988kg) is fairly generous and you're unlikely to be close to it if you load your caravan for a weekend or long weekend. So don't worry too much if the kerb weight of your car relative to maximum caravan weight leaves a ratio of, say, around 90% because by the time you've had some practice with a few weekends away you'll have become more confident about how your caravan will handle when you load it more heavily for a longer holiday.

Hope this helps.

chrism2015

09/8/2016 at 11:53pm
Location: Keighley
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So I have found a 07 zafira 1.9 td energy or a 09 Honda civic 2.2 cdti looking at the stats I think k they are OK but can someone please advise as this is Virgin teritory for us and don't want to get it wrong . As soon as get the car we are ready for our first trip

Rob and Tina

10/8/2016 at 8:55am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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You need to check the weights of the actual cars you are thinking of as mentioned above. If you are going to tow a 1300 kg caravan you are looking for a car with a kerbweight of 1500 kg or more. You also need the max laden weight of the car and caravan to total less than 3500 kg to comply with your licence.

I doubt that the Honda is heavy enough as I expect it weighs around 1300 kg but you would have to check that. Some of the Zafira models have quite low towing weights so that would have to be checked as well. You really need to have a look at these cars and check the details on the weight plates and on the V5.

Rob

Skoda Bob

10/8/2016 at 10:37am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4

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Most family sized vehicles will tow your van, preferably the diesel ones for economy, if your Seat is the diesel version it may also be able to tow it

BlackRanger68

10/8/2016 at 5:52pm
Location: Co. Antrim
Outfit: 1993 Fleetwood Crystal 148-4

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You could look for a Toyota Avensis T25 model. With either 2ltr or 2.2ltr diesel. They were made from 2003 to 2008. Strong, reliable and solid and can be found for reasonable money. 2.2 is more powerful. I have the 2ltr an I find it adequate. They have 128hp.

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