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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: Towing performance (lack of pulling power Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonLoo8
13/8/2013 at 10:14am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Avondale Corfu View Loo8's Profile View Profile   Reply to Loo8 Reply   Quote Loo8 Quote  
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Hi all,
Returned from my annual trek to France yesterday. Journey through France seemed fine however when travelling through UK, there was a distinct lack of towing power on the hills. Everything was passing me including other caravans. Even had to use 3rd gear on occasion. Tyre pressures were checked and fine, van was not overweight. I use a chevrolet captiva towing a 1100 kg van (inc load). I realise that it's uphill most of the way from Portsmouth to Scotland however very frustrating, slow drive home. Before I get the car checked over, is it possible that towing power would be reduced due to rear traction being lost if the caravan was slightly heavier at the rear than the front. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
David


Personmillermicm
13/8/2013 at 11:27am
 Location: west country
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Highly improbable that the loading would affect the car other than stability. If you were losing that much traction you would have been spinning the (front) wheels!

Also Portsmouth - Scotland is not actually uphill. The height of your destination above sea level is all the net climbing uphill you will have done (Portsmouth dockside is at sea level). Other than that the uphills & downhills cancel out.

If your car is losing power you need to get it to a garage.

I suffer a lack of pulling power but the wife reckons it's my age!


PersonLoo8
13/8/2013 at 1:29pm
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Thanks for reply. Suspected car rather than van. Probably just felt like I was constantly driving uphill.


Persondinkum
13/8/2013 at 6:34pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
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I had this last year on a trip to Cornwall. Our diesel Fiesta usually pulls like a train but after we topped up with contaminated diesel ! we had huge loss of power mainly on the hills. Some additive was put in and the problem was eliminated. ( This has been the subject of a separate posting previously.) There was water in the diesel. This drops out to some extent to the bottom of the tank which can be picked up depending on where your suction tube is in the tank. Hope this helps.

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


PersonLoo8
13/8/2013 at 8:57pm
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Thanks Dinkum,
I'm hoping that's the answer. I did notice some water dripping under the car at one stop after the problem started. Haven't checked the previous posting yet. Is it a simple diesel fuel additive added to the tank that I should be looking for.
David


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PersonAndy Higham
13/8/2013 at 9:52pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
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Was it a hot day? A/C on full?
The A/C can use a few BHP, water dripping underneath is condensation from the evaporator


Personmattlad
14/8/2013 at 12:39am
 Location: Worcestershire
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Is the car down on power when it is solo?

-------------
Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.


Personeasyt
14/8/2013 at 12:48am
 Location: preston
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couldnt be the start of a slipping clutch could it?
pulling a van would show it up way before driving it solo would
everything would look and feel normal but the power wouldnt be being realised as it would be being lost to slipping


Persondinkum
14/8/2013 at 6:07am
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
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Loo8,
     it took about 15 minutes of driving to clear the water after putting the additive in. The additive is designed to emulsify the free water which is then "burned" through the engine. The additive probably contains methanol or similar. Get the additive which is specifically designed to remove water. For about £6 or £7 you can eliminate this as an option when diagnosing?

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


PersonSkoda Bob
14/8/2013 at 10:14am
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Or you could just open the drain on the bottom of the fuel filter and let any water out takes 2 mins to do.

It could also be the MAF thats gone defective mass airflow sensor, this gives the same symptoms


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Persondiesel steve
14/8/2013 at 4:00pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
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i tow from fife to dover every year and always find the tow home always sluggish,and use more fuel coming north than going south.never found any fault with car.


PersonLoo8
14/8/2013 at 6:40pm
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 Outfit: Avondale Corfu View Loo8's Profile View Profile   Reply to Loo8 Reply   Quote Loo8 Quote  
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Thanks everyone for responses. Air con not used on trip. Took car for a good drive yesterday and seemed to pull ok on hills. I will keep in mind the clutch suggestion. Is the mass airflow detector problem easy to detect? I will also try the fuel additive. Car seemed to be pulling ok from Scotland to Portsmouth, through France and back again. Only seemed to be a problem after leaving Portsmouth and again most of the may from Cumbria. Thanks



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