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Subject Topic: towing & weights Post Reply Post New Topic
Personsjs44
08/1/2012 at 11:58pm
 Location: West Midlands
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Hi all,
I am going to view a coachman mirage 500/5 caravan 1995 as i'm after a double bed at the rear which i can leave "made up". My car is a BMW 3 series 1.8L petrol saloon with a max 85% towing weight of 1177kgs.
1. i have read about this model being "twitchy" when being towed, how can i overcome this as this gives me cause for concern? My last van was a 390/2 & a dream to tow using a renault megane 1.5dci.
2. Has anyone any advice/ideas on other types of vans that i could tow which has the rear dinette also?
any help would be most useful !!!
thank you!
Steve


Persontango55
09/1/2012 at 12:28am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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The weight of a Coachman Mirage 500/5 would be around 1100 kgs. unladen with a fully laden weight of 1400 kgs. so by going on the towing limit of your BMW the caravan would exceed the legal towing cabability. Other caravan manufacturers produce similar layouts and although are quite lighter don't have the same build quality as a Coachman caravan. Below is a link for various caravan manufacturers with corresponding weight limits etc.

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/vandata.htm


PersonGreendemon315
09/1/2012 at 8:58am
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery View Greendemon315's Profile View Profile   Reply to Greendemon315 Reply   Quote Greendemon315 Quote  
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That van has an MTPLM of 1400 KG, and is far too heavy for the car.  You need to look for something much lighter.

Jim


Personsjs44
09/1/2012 at 6:08pm
 Location: West Midlands
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Thanks both for your replies & advice.


Personmurano
09/1/2012 at 6:52pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2 View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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Bailey ranger do that layout, I think they are lighter too, I'm not sure of the weights, but coachman are quite heavy vans.

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


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Persontango55
09/1/2012 at 7:35pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by murano on 09/1/2012
Bailey ranger do that layout, I think they are lighter too, I'm not sure of the weights, but coachman are quite heavy vans.
Murano is quite right, Coachman caravans actually are quite heavier in comparison as I already stated but I think you will find that the earlier Coachman vans are somewhat lighter. Mine is a 1999 Coachman Amara 2 berth which is the basic range the same as the earlier Mirage range. The unladen weight of mine is 984 kgs. and a maximum laden weight of 1300 kgs. which is much lighter than the newer 450 models of the same Amara range. If I bought a new Amara 450 then I would most definitely have to change my towcar accordingly too as the new models would exceed my car's towing capability.


Personmurano
09/1/2012 at 7:51pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2 View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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A bailey ranger about that age 500/5 same layout is miro 1000 mass 1250 I don't know if that's still to heavy.but there are lighter vans with that layout out there, good luck with your search.

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


Personmurano
09/1/2012 at 7:56pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2 View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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I don't know all your cars details like age ect, but putting in on what tow car the bailey 500/5 and your car comes in at 85% , as I said I just put in a standard BMW 1.8i with a ranger 500/5

Right tea break over best get back to work

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


Personsjs44
09/1/2012 at 10:27pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Eurohike Hampton 6 Tent View sjs44's Profile View Profile   Reply to sjs44 Reply   Quote sjs44 Quote  
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appreciate the replies, thanks very much, ill look into it a little deeper.
thanks again!



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