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Subject Topic: Could I tow a caravan with my Zafira Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonMadMum1972
20/2/2013 at 8:07am
 Location: Hempstead Kent
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Good Morning!

I have been doing a little research into caravans lately, as our friend has recently purchased one and has the luxury of being able to go away year round in it.

It has got me thinking about the whole tent business, much as I enjoy camping. It would give us more scope to go all year.

The car I have has a tow bar on it, albeit 7 pin but we can upgrade that. I am not sure of its towing ability though and keep trying to find out through various towing websites but it isn't making alot of sense to me.

I have a 1.8 59 plate petrol Zafira. i would need to look at a four berth caravan. Would my car be able to cope with it? I guess it would be ok on the flat but not sure about hills, lol!!!

Thanks for any help you can give..

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Center Parcs April 2015
Chestnut Meadows Bexhill August 2015
Once in lifetime trip to Florida Oct 2015!!!


PersonGreendemon315
20/2/2013 at 9:37am
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
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If you could give some more information, it would be easier to answer. You need to know the kerb weight of your car, the noseweight capacity and the manufacturer's towing limit.

As far as the caravan is concerned, the main thing is the MTPLM.

If it turns out to be marginal, there are other things to look at, but this will give us an idea.

A caravan dealer will give you the numbers for the van you sure looking at, an the car information is on the weight plate, in the handbook and the registration document.

Jim


PersonDonnod123
20/2/2013 at 8:11pm
 Location: Kent
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Hi Madmun1972
If it helps, if you look in the cars hand books it will give you most if not all of the info " kerb weight of your car, the noseweight capacity and the manufacturer's towing limit". Then the dealers would I'm sure be able to help a little more

Look at this link pg 210 http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/content/dam/Vauxhall/Europe/united_kingdom/nscwebsite/uk/00_Home/Owner_Services/owners_manuals/zafira/ZafiraOwnersManual_Jan07.pdf
Same link pg 217
Hope this helps..

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Thank you Donnod123
------------
Coleman Evolva (might have more than one shhhh)
And now a VW T25 high top.
Tilley Titan
Tilley Trio
Cobb BBQ


Personphilip 22
20/2/2013 at 9:08pm
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I   think you have might have to be careful  the maxium tow  1200kg  but if you got a Bailey  470/4 caravan  you might be able to tow this .

 


PersonGrampian91
20/2/2013 at 10:11pm
 Location: Midlands
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And dont forget the 1200kg is the caravans gross laden weight. Beware sellers that give you the unladen weight or dont know and just say yeah your cars fine.


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Nataim
23/2/2013 at 6:07pm
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Good advise from Grampian91 about making sure that it is the caravans weight is the fully laden weight, when we started caravanning we had a Picasso 1800 petrol, it towed all right on the flat but it did tend to struggle on hills, our caravan was an older model(4 berth) which tend to be lighter so perhaps it would be worth looking for an cheap older van to make sure you like caravanning before spending alot of money on a modern van and possibly another car, most older vans use the 7 pin plug but you can always get an adapter if you need the13 pin.


PersonMadMum1972
23/2/2013 at 6:17pm
 Location: Hempstead Kent
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Sorry for the delay in replying. I have been up at the NEC and a bit hit and miss where I had a strong enough signal!

The caravans up there were lovely, I can't believe how much they have moved on!

We have decided to leave the caravan idea for now though until we can get a car that can tow without worrying about hills etc!.

Can't really afford to change the car at the moment and don't realy want to because I love it!

Thanks very much again for taking the time to reply. No doubt you will see me back on this side when the time is right!!

-------------
Center Parcs April 2015
Chestnut Meadows Bexhill August 2015
Once in lifetime trip to Florida Oct 2015!!!


PersonMadMum1972
23/2/2013 at 7:20pm
 Location: Hempstead Kent
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...although the Bailey 470/4 does look very nice ...

-------------
Center Parcs April 2015
Chestnut Meadows Bexhill August 2015
Once in lifetime trip to Florida Oct 2015!!!


Personandyfisher
08/3/2013 at 7:57pm
 Location: Yorkshire
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Look at adria. We got one mainly because it is lightweight. Their four birth 390 is only 1100 max laden weight.


Persontango55
08/3/2013 at 8:57pm
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I used to a tow a lightweight Coachman 2 berth caravan with a Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol manual and basically to put it in a nut shell it was absolute rubbish. The caravan only had a MIRO of 780 kgs. with MTPLM (fully laden weight) of 1000 kgs. and even at this low weight the vehicle lacked power on motorway inclines. Following slow lorries you either had to stay behind or drop down the gears to achieve about 4,000 revs to get the maximum torque delivery to overtake but then the fuel consumption was poor at around 26-28 mpg. I heard that the 1.9 diesel was much better in comparison but never drove one so can't really make any comment. The 1.6 Ford Focus diesel manual was a much better vehicle in comparison but then again diesels have a much more torque delivery to cope with towing which I then got around 34-38 mpg. which in the long term is the better solution. The Volvo V50 I have now is built on a Focus chassis and although the build quality is better than the Focus I find that this car is better with the 2.4 diesel which provides another 100 kgs. in kerbweight and far better engine torque. The Volvo 1.6 and 2.0 diesel engines are identical to the Ford in terms of BHP and engine torque and the fuel economy of both are identical (like for like). Personally I wouldn't buy another Vauxhall for towing and there are mixed feelings by caravanners in general.

Post last edited on 08/03/2013 21:04:35


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Personkatycymru
09/3/2013 at 8:50pm
 Location: Barry (Not quite the island)
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Couldn't wait to get shot of my Zafira. Only had the base 1.6 Life model, which was gutless and dreary. Could barely pull itself, let alone anything else.

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2019: Hurn Lane CAMC, Cirencester Park CAMC & Lytton Lawn

2020: Brecon Beacons CAMC, Bladon Chains CAMC, Brecon Beacons CAMC, Les Iles (Normandy), Easter Compton (BOC Rally), Deanwood (BOC Rally), Abbey Wood CAMC


Personchilephilly
10/3/2013 at 1:35pm
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Agree with Tango. We had a 1.8 petrol Zafira - good family car, absolute rubbish for towing. We chopped it in for an (older) Terracan, which is just the tool for the job.

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Keep calm and go camping....


Personrayjdyer
10/3/2013 at 2:23pm
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We towed an 1100kg caravan all over France with our Zafira B diesel without any problems. It wasn't happy in 6th on the hills, but apart from that is was fine.

Don't delay get a 'van today!


Personrowleyd3
14/3/2013 at 8:25pm
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You could try:http://www.towcar.info/index.php to check the exact match?

Darren.


Personrayjdyer
16/3/2013 at 7:46am
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I forgot to say that whilst we were in France with said Zafira and a 4 berth van, a Brit came up to me in a petrol station to ask if we had any problems towing with our Zafira. It turned out he had one parked up at the side of the petrol station in a sorry state, going nowhere.

It was hitched up to a whopping great twin axle which may have had quite a lot to do with the problems he was experiencing! I explained towing capacity, and then left him to try and sort out some way of towing his lumbering great van!

He had just bought his van and this was his first ever trip away, and first time towing. A lesson in doing your homework first!



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