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Topic: Astra 1.3 cdti

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SamandRose

06/8/2020 at 7:03pm
Location: Midlands
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I can't remember whether the maximum permissible weight of car and trailer combined on a 1995 licence is 7500kg or 8250kg. But either way, it's more than you'll reach with any caravan towed by a Vauxhall Insignia or similar

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Martin1976

via mobile 07/8/2020 at 8:00am
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Ah awesome. So I should be ok then.

SamandRose

07/8/2020 at 3:20pm
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Yep. Just make sure that the weight of the caravan is less than the towing limit of the car, which is a legal requirement. Sensibly, it should also weigh less than the car's kerb weight / mass in service (they essentially mean the same thing).

Enjoy!

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

Martin1976

via mobile 09/8/2020 at 9:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 01/8/2020
Plenty of folk towing caravans with the newer 3 Pot 1.6TDi engined cars, so I guess that could be a start for the OP.

What car/ engine would this be? I am a bit put off the insignia / astra after reading about reliability or dpf and dmf issues that are costly. I know I want it all but I'm after decent economy and reliability without it costing the day. I thought the 1.7 zafira looked ok but then realised it can't tow many 4 berths as it has a low weight.

Martin1976

via mobile 09/8/2020 at 10:30pm
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Also, is the Mtplm of the caravan the weight of it without any stuff I put in it? So anything I want to take along, I weigh and put in the car?

blueexpo97

10/8/2020 at 6:56am
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Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass

MTPLM stands for Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass. This is the maximum weight, determined by the manufacturer, deemed to be safe to load the caravan to. On UK-spec caravans, the MTPLM is given on a plate near the entrance.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

takisawa

via mobile 10/8/2020 at 10:53pm
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We all had to start somewhere & I’d have probably had the same response if I’d asked about our first outfit, a 1.6 Petrol 2003 Corolla & 1057 MTPLM Abbey.
In practice it towed absolutely fine. 😁
A 2 litre Insignia should make a good tow car. though.
We currently tow a 1500kg MTPLM van with a 1.4 Petrol Tiguan & it tows brilliantly.

Martin1976

via mobile 11/8/2020 at 12:15pm
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Ok got it.

Max laden is with all the gear in it.

Now looking at 1.6cdti insignia. Seems to tick all the boxes and towcar info says it'll be a decent one for the job!

marg6

11/8/2020 at 12:51pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Martin1976 on 11/8/2020
Ok got it.

Max laden is with all the gear in it.

Now looking at 1.6cdti insignia. Seems to tick all the boxes and towcar info says it'll be a decent one for the job!

the 1.6 is going to struggle, its a big heavy car to start with, and then your going to put a brick on wheels on the back, you need to be looking at 2 ltr really

SamandRose

12/8/2020 at 1:09pm
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Hard to be definitive without looking at the power and torque outputs, but personally I'd be looking at a 2.0 diesel with 140-150bhp or so. It's likely to be much more comfortable towing the extra weight and barely cost any more to buy and run when you're not towing with it.

Reliability-wise, most cars are pretty good these days provided that they're serviced on time. The issues relating to the DPF (diesel particulate filter, which is located in the exhaust) usually, but not always relate to the filter becoming blocked. To prevent this happening, the car needs to spend a reasonable amount of time with the engine running at normal temperature, which can take about 10-15 minutes to reach. So if you have a half-hour journey to and from work every day you'll be fine. But if most of your weekly journeys last 15 minutes or less, consider a petrol version which will still be capable of towing, albeit most likely with a bit more time spent in lower gears and a bit more fuel being used in the process.

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Martin1976

via mobile 12/8/2020 at 8:32pm
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The 1.6 is 136bhp. Towcar info says it'll still do 85mph or so, not that I'll do that 😀 Those Vauxhall's are pretty powerful.

Martin1976

via mobile 12/8/2020 at 8:56pm
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I think this is right. Feel free to put me right if not!

So something about 1300 mtplm should be ideal?

takisawa

via mobile 12/8/2020 at 9:06pm
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You won’t be winning any races but 136hp Insignia will be perfectly able to pull a 1300 kg van. We towed our current 1500kg van with a 140,000 mile Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130hp quite happily for some years. We just needed more room so swapped it for a Galaxy.
If you can run a 2.0 it will tow better, but the 1.6 will be good enough.

SamandRose

13/8/2020 at 1:46pm
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Agree with the above. 136bhp is more than I would have expected from a 1.6 diesel but extracting more power from smaller engines is something that the manufacturers are getting pretty good at these days.

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Martin1976

via mobile 13/8/2020 at 2:31pm
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I've done quite a bit of research and it seems the best option. Reliable, doesn't have a cam belt to service and does 85mpg on a run.

It looks nice, although it's a bit pricey to buy. I generally keep my car's for a long time. Had my current Astra for 9 years. Most reliable car I've ever had hands down.

I am doing the analysis now, and I will look at buying a car end of the year and a van shortly after.

The plan is then to paint and re upholster the interior out of season. It will be a nice project and hopefully reap the rewards. Kids will enjoy it too.

I must say, I joined this forum to ask questions and find out, and it has been great. Looks like a nice place to find out what u need 👍

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