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That's better!

Sorry about that!

A quick question.

We want to 'upgrade' from a tent and were wondering whether there are any 2 berth caravans I could safely tow with a 1.4 Duratec 2004 Ford Fiesta?

The answer would govern how we spend our modest budget.  

Do we buy an older van and a cheap 2nd hand tow car or can we blow it all on a newer van???

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, and sorry for the earlier topic with no question. I'll get the hang of it.

Quote: Originally posted by Megellen on 02/7/2012

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That's better!

Sorry about that!

A quick question.

We want to 'upgrade' from a tent and were wondering whether there are any 2 berth caravans I could safely tow with a 1.4 Duratec 2004 Ford Fiesta?

The answer would govern how we spend our modest budget.  

Do we buy an older van and a cheap 2nd hand tow car or can we blow it all on a newer van???

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, and sorry for the earlier topic with no question. I'll get the hang of it.

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In my experience , towing from the age of seventeen, a period of 40 years, it is not often, at all,  that you have to stop/start on a steep hill. As for clutch slipping, it's mostly down to technique to reduce the initial drive take up. You can avoid most steep routes anyway and plan your trip.  I have towed with vehicles from classic Mini 1000 and Peugeot 106 up to 3.0 litre Fords and Audis. No need to put people off right from the start in my opinion. Common sense when towing with a small vehicle helps too. Travel light and dont take your washing machine and 150 litres of water with you. not everyone wants the expense of running a big heavy vehicle.

look at GOING CARAVANS some of the lightest i know off.still think you will struggle on the hills,we have a 206 with a 1.4.not used for towing.

http://www.jcleisure.com/Go%20300.htm

My car is a elderly Cavalier with a 1.8 petrol engine and a truly amazing 90bhp on offer... Back in their day they were rated as tow cars, but nowadays I think not!  It struggles with us, our gear and a little trailer behind so I can't begin to imagine how bad it'd be towing a 'van.  Although towing with your Fiesta is possible I'd echo other posts and opt for something bigger.  Something like a Golf/Focus/307 would allow far greater possibilities for caravanning and be not much larger than a Fiesta :)

I fondly remember my grandfather towing a huge 'van behind his 1275cc Morris Marina many years ago - fast it was not!

Quote: Originally posted by michael on 04/7/2012

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look at GOING CARAVANS some of the lightest i know off.still think you will struggle on the hills,we have a 206 with a 1.4.not used for towing.

http://www.jcleisure.com/Go%20300.htm

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http://www.jcleisure.com/GoingUK.htm

all i could find.