i,ve just purchased my new caravan an abbey freestyle 560se and i currently own an octavia fsi sports which on the limit for towing my van , so im looking at other octavias i.e a deisal one so does any one tow with one and what model , engine size would be best for my van ?
any advice would be great as i pretty new to caravaning
I have an Octavia (05, 2.0 diesel, 140BHP, manual) and it tows like a dream - BUT - looking at the kerbweights website, it quotes the 85% figure as 1296 KG and the max towable as 1400 KG. I've just glanced at a couple of ads for a Freestyle 560se, and they say MPTLM of 1500 KG....
If that is correct for yours, you will need a different towcar - while you may be legally alright to tow (max train weight etc), I don't think it would be a good match at all.....
(my van is 1000KG MPTLM....)
Gram
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also whats better manual or auto or is it just personal prefference
We have an Octavia (55 plate) Estate 1.9 TDI PD with DSG.
It has performed faultlessly, returning 60mpg with gentle driving and 45mpg towing. The main dealer servicing reasonably priced.
The DSG is a superb option. Given that it is a clutched system, it does not suffer the losses associated with other fluid drive torque converter systems. The DSG is so good, frankly I see is no point in a manual.
Don't go for the SDi version as they have low tow weights and are very sluggish.
I test drove a DSG one a while ago and thought it was a good ride, they are really opening people's eyes up to how good Skoda can be and how competitively priced compared to VW and Audi too.
We have a T reg Skoda Octavia 1.9 turbo diesel, it is absolutely brilliant for towing, 45mpg on average and we have never had a problem with it. Don't know about the technical stuff though, I am no good with that sorry. But they are proper nippy when not towing as well.
I have had two Octavias previous, both diesels, last one was i.9 estate. Absolutely no problem towing van Lunar Lexon CS but was not great match and stopping in the wet one day felt the car being pushed on a bit.
After that I went for the Superb 1.9 tdi comfort and that was great towcar. Just taken delivery today of a superb 2.5 diesel and cannot wait until feb before i will be able to get the van out. Might I suggest if you are thinking of change you take look at Superb It is a great car and so much more space than Octavia. i cannot wait for next year when the new estate is supposed to come out.
jimw
We have a 2001 Octavia Elegance Estate 1.9TDi, and have had it from new. I think it's done about 130k so far. The kerbweight according to the handbook is 1434kg.
If your van is 1500kg MTPLM, I think you may be pushed to find a Skoda that is heavy enough to take this at or below the 85% guideline (Scout is around 1600kg, I think).
Great car, no major issue so far (touch wood). We tow an older 1200kg twin axle van without a stabiliser. Solo we average about 55mpg in commuter traffic, towing is about 40mpg. We also have a roofbox on, bought when we camped, useful still for very large items and for improving airflow over the top of the van.
Sorry to butt in and go of the original subject. Just a question to jimweir is it the new version of superb you just had (caravan club towcar of the year 2009). Could you let us know how it is, mpg etc.
we have aSkoda Octavia TDI 1.9 Estate and we to a Bailey Ranger 460/2 we have had no problem with this set up the car hand book says 1400 max for towing, the Bailey Max load should be 1200 so we have no problem
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