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Was thinking of buying a caravan at the end of the year, But have the chance to buy Abbey GTS Vogue 418 (2002) privately. Any advice would be much appreciated. I got a VW Passat 2.0tdi(140) which i think will be ok to tow with.Again any advice would be much appreciated.

We bought a new 2004 Abbey GTS Vogue 418 with fixed bed across the back and 2 good size singles [or huge double] at front. Our Car at the time of Van purchase was a 2.0Tdi [130] Passat Estate [manual]. I was not too happy towing and felt the van was controlling the car, very 'twitchy' when being overtaken on a Motorway by a bus or large van. If I had been 20 years younger it would probably not have bothered me but being 70 I was more cautious. No actual power problems towing, the diesel Passat is a good 'tug'. However we quickly traded in the Passat for a Toyota Landcruiser [3.0 Tdi] automatic and have since never had a towing problem. [We are now on our second Landcruiser].

The Abbey is a fine van and to date we have had no problems whatsoever. We went to the NEC caravan show planning to 'update' but honestly we could not find another van suitable to replace the 418.

I am not sure if the 2002 is any different to my 2004, ours has GPS side panels. checking VanData the MTPLM is only 15KG different. http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/vandata.htm

Work out 85% of your cars kerb weight to see if the Abbey is within that weight range.

Good luck and do report back if you do purchase.

Hi bowler70,

Thanks for your reply, will keep you informed

Hi bowler 70

Just an update have decided against buying the Abbey GTS Vogue. think it is a bit to heavy for the Passat (when i worked it out it was about 95% or above of the car weight).

So will go back to original plan of buying about Oct, Nov or Dec.

Again many thanks for your reply, Your info helped me a lot.

Hi alsumms

I think you have made the right decision. I certainly was not happy with the Passat towing my 418.

Good luck with your search and we look forward to hearing what caravan you eventually buy.

Have just bought a Lunar Stellar 400 (2008). Tried it out last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though the weather was awful. The van is i think about 80% of car weight so towed well,

Again thanks for your previous advice.

Good choice and 2008 instead of 2002 - makes much more sense.

Your Passat should have no problems towing the Lunar.

Thanks for reporting back as it is always interesting to know the final choice.

Enjoy and happy caravanning.

Hi Bowler70

Thanks again, one thing you may be able to help me with is , the max nose weight for the Passat is i think 90kg. So what should the nose weight of the van be? Should it be 90 or a percentage of 90.

As Grampian91 says 90kg MAX.

Use a piece of wood twixt Alko and bathroom scales [if you do not have a noseweight gauge].

Thank you to both of you. As i'm new to caravanning i'll take all the help i can.

Intend to weigh nose weight sometime this week as we hope to go away for a couple of days this weekend. We;ve no intention of going away on the bank holiday as its to busy.