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Can you post some more information;

Car

- Year

Caravan

- Year

- Berths

I've tried working through the match on the caravan club website, but without more details, I can't identify the correct models.

MAZDA 3 TS 1.6 PETROL. 04 REG

ABI ACE ORBIT 1998 5 BERTH.1000KG

I'm afraid I can't find the caravan on the Caravan Club website, but was able to get these details on the car (just check that it is the correct model etc);

Mazda Mazda3 1.6 TS (2004)

The critical on this is the maximum towing limit of only 930kg, you therefore shouldn't be towing a van of 1000kg... you also need to know whether the 1000kg you quote is the MIRO (empty van weight) or the MTLPM (fully loaded with all your kit). Given that you are looking at a 5 berth van, I would guess that you are quoting the MIRO, making it an even more unsuitable match.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but better to find out before you've splashed out on the caravan!

I wouldn't. We towed a lighter van (850kg) with a 1.6 and it was very marginal on power. When it was just the two of us and we only took a limited amount of kit, it worked OK. But once the kids came along and we started packing stuff for them then hills/motorways/windy days became a nightmare.

So it also depends how many of you there are.

The other thing with caravans as opposed to TTs is that it is not just the weight. The bulk of the caravan makes it much more difficult to tow due to wind resistance and the effects of passing vehicles.

Why not try putting the details through www.whatTowCar.com to give you a general guide to what the match would be like and how the performance may be?

Julia

Start with basic principles

Cars kerbweight...then the MTPLM of the van. If the MTPLM is 85% of the cars kerb weight (and less than the maximum towing weight of the car) then you are ok. Anything above the 85% and you may find difficulties expecially hills. Petrol car will not tow as well as deisel so maybe err on the side of caution and go for slightly less than an 85% match. No point in waiting to find out at lights on a hill that the engine struggles to get you moving on that incline.

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 07/6/2011

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Start with basic principles

Cars kerbweight...then the MTPLM of the van. If the MTPLM is 85% of the cars kerb weight (and less than the maximum towing weight of the car) then you are ok. Anything above the 85% and you may find difficulties expecially hills. Petrol car will not tow as well as deisel so maybe err on the side of caution and go for slightly less than an 85% match. No point in waiting to find out at lights on a hill that the engine struggles to get you moving on that incline.

Phil

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