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Subject Topic: Do I really need a 4x4?
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PersonMadFrank
14/9/2018 at 3:36pm
 Location: Stratford Warwickshire
 Outfit: Eccles 640 - BMW 520D Tourer View MadFrank's Profile View Profile   Reply to MadFrank Reply   Quote MadFrank Quote  
Joined: 14/9/2004

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I have a 2014 5 series tourer - with a 1750Kg twin axle van - did the maths to check OK.

Putting that aside the car tows effortlessly and is very stable (I guess because it also has a very long wheelbase) - and the self levelling suspension is also a big bonus.


Personsaftlad
19/9/2018 at 8:36pm
 Location: Taunton
 Outfit: Swift Quattro EB View saftlad's Profile View Profile   Reply to saftlad Reply   Quote saftlad Quote  
Joined: 27/1/2010

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I'm in a very similar boat, and thinking of getting a 530d as a towcar.

Currently pulling a 1500kg van with a 520d that is fine, but thought that moving up to the bigger engine should be ok with a 1690kg van, but it sounds like it's considered a bad idea.

One thing I can't get my head around is that the advice on here is to gauge a fully loaded van against the kerbweight of an empty car. Surely that's not accurately measuring apples with apples, and would be closer when measuring a fully loaded van with at least a partially loaded vehicle (car/driver/1 passenger/fuel tank). I don't understand how this is fudging the figures to make them fit, but is just a more balanced measure?


Persongrifterman
21/9/2018 at 10:57pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Barcelona XC90 View grifterman's Profile View Profile   Reply to grifterman Reply   Quote grifterman Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2006

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Hi saftlad - live outside Taunton myself and I previously had 520d Touring towing a 1500kg caravan! Was a great setup!

What gets me is actually the variety of %s depending on what you use. I know there are other factors that need to be considered, some technical, some about judgement ie newbie v experienced etc. but look at what I have just looked at for a potential combination % (530d Touring and a 1767kg caravan)

Car manual.
1767/1825 = 96.8%.   ( too high for me!)

Www.towcar.info.
1767/1975 = 89.4%. ( manual +150kg payload auto added...hmmm still a bit high)

Actual car weight on same basis as towcar.info (car on a weighbridge)
1767/ 2140 = 82.6%. (Actual car 1990 + 150kg...ahh yes I would tow)

Actual car weight + my normal payload when on holiday (bikes,awning,family etc)
1767 / 2200 = 80.3% ( oh quite reasonable!)

Max car weight
1767 / 2480 = 71.3%. (Hmmm now i’m definitely playing with my numbers!)

Now I’ve decided not to tow a twin axle with my car for other reasons but just looking at my 82.6% alone I think that isn’t unreasonable. I also think new towers should be more cautious and if they stick to the 85% guidance / matching programmes you can’t go wrong.

If your more experienced though, it’s no surprise that people post questions on here for a second opinion!


Personrushallmanor
26/9/2018 at 6:01pm
 Location: Walsall
 Outfit: Unicorn Barcelona 2 & Kia Sorento View rushallmanor's Profile View Profile   Reply to rushallmanor Reply   Quote rushallmanor Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by saftlad on 19/9/2018
I'm in a very similar boat, and thinking of getting a 530d as a towcar.

Currently pulling a 1500kg van with a 520d that is fine, but thought that moving up to the bigger engine should be ok with a 1690kg van, but it sounds like it's considered a bad idea.

One thing I can't get my head around is that the advice on here is to gauge a fully loaded van against the kerbweight of an empty car. Surely that's not accurately measuring apples with apples, and would be closer when measuring a fully loaded van with at least a partially loaded vehicle (car/driver/1 passenger/fuel tank). I don't understand how this is fudging the figures to make them fit, but is just a more balanced measure?


This is the generally accepted guide, and most try to stick with it. Play with the proven guidance if you wish but the rules of physics will not change and the tail will wag the dog!!! You must also realise most caravans are overloaded as the allowed loads are far too small especially if you have a motor mover. This just makes it worse. I towed for years at 100% but would never go bact to that again.

-------------
Regards

Steve




Personrodz1300
14/4/2019 at 5:27pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View rodz1300's Profile View Profile   Reply to rodz1300 Reply   Quote rodz1300 Quote  
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Hi,
based on your figures and 6 years towing experience, I would have no hesitation.

Reams and reams have been written about ratios but the acid test is the law. you are within your licence capability, your GTW, axle weights, nose weight and finally do you have enough torque? ( 530d=yes)

I changed my car last year with a view to striking a balance between towing and everyday commuting/ family car use. I bought a 183 PS AWD mondeo estate auto spec'd with self leveling suspension, factory tow bar, hitch camera and several other extras that brought the kerb weight to 1836 on the V5.

I have access to a weighbridge at work and recorded the following:

1820 with empty roof rack, half fuel and no driver.
i then loaded it up with my caravan gear, family and 4 bikes on the roof,came to 2130 KG (MGM) = 2330. I then loaded connected my caravan (to within a couple of KG of 1500 MTPLM-on a single axle with heavy items over the axle)

My axle weights on the car were good even when the nose weight of the van was included.

I towed this outfit to France last year and it performed excellently.

I have also had the benefit of driving a nice car for the other 95% of the year that i am not towing.

Based on my experience of this outfit, I would have no hesitation in towing a 1750 MTPLM Twin axle
My previous Mondeo estate was manual without self leveling suspension. The self leveling suspension does appear to make a difference and also makes it easier to measure nose weight as you know the height you tow hitch will be at when moving.

Happy caravanning
Rod



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