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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Caravan towing advice
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Personsilversurfer59
15/9/2012 at 5:25pm
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Hi All,

Newbie here thinking of taking up caravanning again after 20 years lay off.
I have been offered a bargain caravan from family member but just need some advice on towing capabilities if you could oblige please.
I have a Citroen Xsara Picasso - 1.6 HDI (80 kW/107 bhp) year 2004 and caravan is Swift Challenger 490 lse year 2002 i checked on towcar.info and it tells me the caravan is 240kg too heavy for my car any comments welcomed please.


Personsuandjas
15/9/2012 at 5:42pm
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get a new car


Personmillermicm
15/9/2012 at 5:45pm
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Get a different caravan or car.


Personsilversurfer59
15/9/2012 at 5:54pm
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Just hoped you would have said would be OK to tow with me Citroen, ah well might as well admit it then new car it has to be. any (sensible) thoughts on best match for the caravan mentioned above then?.


Personneil and lena
15/9/2012 at 6:16pm
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Citroen C5 diesel or Ford Mondeo TDCI


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Personsilversurfer59
15/9/2012 at 7:27pm
 Location: West Midlands Birminghaam
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I was thinking of getting a Land Rover Freelander TD4 GS Station Wagon showing 93% on Towcar.info so presume although not ideal ok to tow the Swift caravan. Any thoughts on this?.

Thanks for all previous thoughts posted.


Personneil and lena
15/9/2012 at 8:11pm
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Quote: Originally posted by silversurfer59 on 15/9/2012
I was thinking of getting a Land Rover Freelander TD4 GS Station Wagon showing 93% on Towcar.info so presume although not ideal ok to tow the Swift caravan. Any thoughts on this?.

Thanks for all previous thoughts posted.


what is the MPTLM of the Swift your buying


Personmurano
15/9/2012 at 9:03pm
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Are you sure you did it correct on what tow car? As that sounds a bit off for at 92% with a freelander, and the swift is a 2002 and they are slightly lighter than the newer vans of today.

Assuming you buy a td4 freelander 5 door and the swift challenger is the 490 five berth , I've put in the slightly heavier one on what tow car with the parallel lounge ( the L shaped lounge is a few KG lighter ) you would be towing at 82%

We had a freelander 1 td4 gs and towed the same weight and it was a really nice outfit, very stable.

Best thing to do is find the mtplm of the swift and make sure again on what tow car.

-------------
"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.


Personsilversurfer59
15/9/2012 at 9:55pm
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This is what I've found from googling Swift caravan 2004........ "Swift Challenger 490 LSE: 5 berth internal length 17' 9" MIRO 1257 kgs MTPLM 1487 kgs" & this for a 2002 Swift...
Mass in Running Order 1164Kg / 22.9cwt
Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass 1440Kg / 28.3cwt

and for Freelander TD4 GS 2.0 Diesel I found these figures..
Unbraked Towing Weight     
750 kg
Braked Towing Weight     
1800 kg


PersonGrampian91
15/9/2012 at 11:06pm
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Why not just buy a lighter caravan?

One thats around 1150kg gross laden weight. Perfect match for your car.



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Personsilversurfer59
17/9/2012 at 8:50pm
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Ok, i have purchased the Swift Challenger 490 lse 2002 so any thoughts on the car below for towing this caravan as I can't find it on towinfo website ?

Ford Mondeo 2.0TDCi 130 Ghia 5dr [Euro 4] Diesel Hatchback 2006

Thanks for looking appreciate your advice


PersonGrampian91
17/9/2012 at 9:21pm
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MK3 shape? Very close to 100%, You want something BIGGER.

MK4 is a bit heavier but thats a lot of van for it.


Personsilversurfer59
17/9/2012 at 9:32pm
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OK thanks, going to swing right around then and start looking at Hyundai Tucson 2.0 4 wheel drive one of these should be ok fo my Swift right ??.


PersonGrampian91
17/9/2012 at 10:06pm
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Petrol = 1400kg max so thats no good either.

Diesel 1600kg. So thats OK.



OK EDIT:: Diesel 2WD = NO also... Max 1400kg.

So if its a 4WD Diesel Your OK.   High TAX though.


Personmurano
17/9/2012 at 10:28pm
 Location: whitstable kent
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Are you sure you have got your vans weight right, every one I've seen has this info, is this yours?

Berth5Year2002Internal Length5.23m / 17'2"External Length6.81m / 22'4"Width2.16m / 7'1"Unladen Weight1164 kg MTPLM1419 kg Awning size9.46

-------------
"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
17/9/2012 at 10:35pm
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And again here

Swift Challenger 490 L 2002

Year - 2002
5 berth
Single axle
Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 1164
Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1419
Internal Length (metres) - 5.23
Shipping Length (metres) - 6.81
Width (metres) - 2.16
Awning Size (cm) - 946
Layout - DD


-------------
"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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