Hi, we currently have a folding camper and have eventually after 12 months of umming and ahhing have decided to buy a caravan.
We have a Vauxhall Vectra 1.6 which I know probably isn't the best of tow cars, but we are trying to find lighter caravans.
I have put some details into whattowcar.com and one of the choices is saying its 90%. We are going to be storing the caravan about 4.3 miles from a site that we usually go to, would it be a real problem towing it
Quote: Originally posted by kathrynmc1974 on 14/9/2013
Hi, we currently have a folding camper and have eventually after 12 months of umming and ahhing have decided to buy a caravan.
We have a Vauxhall Vectra 1.6 which I know probably isn't the best of tow cars, but we are trying to find lighter caravans.
I have put some details into whattowcar.com and one of the choices is saying its 90%. We are going to be storing the caravan about 4.3 miles from a site that we usually go to, would it be a real problem towing it
Thanks
Kathryn
Simplr answer is that you should expect no problems at all.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
As said, the 85% towing weight is a recommendation, you should be guided by the maximum towing weight and the noseweight, also as said above.
How you load the caravan is far more important that the 85% weight, and many cars such as the 4X4's tow at more than 100% weight with no problems, but they are generally well equipped to handle those conditions.
Our Discovery has a maximum tow weight of 3.5 tonnes and a noseweight limit of 250kg, far above what most cars can handle.
Quote: Originally posted by Graeme_Cooke on 14/9/2013
A lot of experienced caravaners tow above 85% as it's only a guide. I think if you take it easy and stay below 60mph you'll be okay.
Check though that the match is 90%. Also check what the nose weight value of the Vectra is
Graeme
How do you class an experienced tower someone that tows a couple of times/year for say ten+ years or someone who tows 10 times /year for a year or two?
Quote: Originally posted by amara 520 on 18/9/2013
How do you class an experienced tower someone that tows a couple of times/yearfor say ten+ years or someone who tows 10 times /year for a year or two?
To me, an experienced tower is someone who tows a range of trailers/caravans of different weights up to the maximum allowed, and who does it regularly or for a living, and who has been doing it for a number of years.
BTW be careful of "whattowcar" as they use European weights. According to their calculations, and VX 2.2. Auto Antara can tow our caravan, but actually it cannot. We almost bought the Antara until I checked on the CC website.