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 Topic: Towing with a C-Max 1.8 petrol
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23/6/2013 at 12:45am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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It contradicts itself because the website is merely just a guide and nothing more. Choose a caravan with a certain car and search the details then compare two different cars (first one the same) and the results are different for the first car that was searched and that's why the website is far from being accurate. I spent hours doing various calculations with different cars and caravans and I found that there are certainly various flaws in the results that's why I don't use that particular website any more. The best policy is to find out your vehicle kerbweight, the BHP and engine torque and then use a percentage calculator to do your own maths, that's the most accurate way of obtaining correct results.
http://www.percentagecalculator.net/
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23/6/2013 at 1:21am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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What you have to consider is that the 85% rule is merely only a guide and not actually a legal requirement but any petrol engine will struggle in comparison to a diesel anyway as the torque value is usually much lower and that's one of the reasons for the lower fuel ecomomy. If you provide some details of the C-Max such as year and whether it's an auto or manual etc. I may be able to find out the official kerbweight, BHP and torque etc. to make the calculation.
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23/6/2013 at 1:28am
Location: Notts
Outfit: Swift archway woodford Volvo S80
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Tango55 I get so confused over car V caravan 85% rule . Ive towed a trailer tent for years Upgraded to a tin ten had no probs with my ancient P reg Volvo automatic 850 se . Now i worry i need to do a detaield study on towing ...new to me...swift 2004 caravan with a mtplm of 1230Kgs .. I just confused :(
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jon
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23/6/2013 at 1:52am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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Yes the minimum kerbweight is 1422 kgs. and the 1.8 petrol engine has 125 BHP &125 Lbs./ft (169.5 Nm.) engine torque. So you calculation of 1208 kgs. is right for a match of 85%. I used to tow with a Zafira 1.8i petrol engine and found it rather sluggish on even the slightest hills that's why I eventually changed to a diesel but judging by the engine torque it's this that will cause you to struggle more than anything. My previous 1.6 Focus diesel had a torque of 177 Lbs/ft. and even at this higher figure I found it to be a bit sluggish on standing starts and had to drop down the gears on slight motorway inclines and hill climbs.
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23/6/2013 at 1:58am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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Quote: Originally posted by pompeyjon on 23/6/2013
Tango55 I get so confused over car V caravan 85% rule . Ive towed a trailer tent for years Upgraded to a tin ten had no probs with my ancient P reg Volvo automatic 850 se . Now i worry i need to do a detaield study on towing ...new to me...swift 2004 caravan with a mtplm of 1230Kgs .. I just confused :(
You need the Volvo kerbweight first then calculate the caravan's MTPLM of 1230 kgs. with the online calculator (previous post) in relation to the kerbweight and it will give you the exact match. To obtain details of your car try the Auto-Trader website, search for car and when found each tab will give you details of the vehicle.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/
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23/6/2013 at 8:47am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Hymer 530
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I know it is slightly different but my old car was 2.0 petrol passat towing a 1500kg caravan and it did struggle to get going, hills in the uk weren't normally a problem it was in Europe some of long steep motorway inclines were hard work.
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Mike
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23/6/2013 at 8:56am
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The car will tow a 1200kg caravan, it will be a bit slow on hills & motorway inclines where empty trucks will probably pass you. Does this bother you enough to not have the 1200kg caravan you want? If it does then get a caravan that weighs a tonne or less & it will go up hills quicker.
As pointed out, diesels are better for towing but if this is the car you have & you don't want to change it then it will do the job.
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Regards, Jack+Jon.
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27/6/2013 at 7:56pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Swift archway woodford Volvo S80
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Thanks Tango 55. I seem to well within weight limits but am now actively looking at changing to a kia or hyundai for my towing needs.
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jon
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