Hi all, yes more questions about towing weights and measures
As already mentioned in a previous post we are changing our car in October and so i am on the look out for a new one. I am fully aware of all the weights etc and rules and guidelines, but looking round campsites recently and over the past few years, i have been amazed at hte diverse vehicles that are used to pull caravans, and some which are definitely not up to it.
Therefore pulling an Adria 1300Kgs MTPLM, What would you all consider to be the lightest car which could pull our van with ease. Considering that for an 85% ratio match the kerbweight of the tow vehicle would have to be 1530 Kgs Min, and any lower and we reduce the amount/weight mass that can be towed, as we did with the focus estate KB 1429 Kgs / 85% 1215 Kgs mass....
The advice is all out there. Remember max tow weight as indicated for car is a technical figure based on ability of car to tow, nothing to do with towing safety, that is for the driver to decide using manufacturer figures from both car & caravan as a guideline both for safety & to stay within the law, for both C&U & driving licence.
If you are aware of the guidelines then you need no more information, the rest is up to you using your judgement. If you have the knowledge & you look at another caravanner's outfit & think it is probably unsafe, then it probably is.
My caravan also has an MTPLM of 1300 kgs. and if you look at my Volvo V50 which is the size of a Ford Focus you would think it wasn't up top the job either. However, Volvo fit three different diesel engines into the V50 which are the Ford 1.6 four cylinder diesel (109 BHP), the Ford 2.0 four cylinder diesel (136 BHP & 236 Lbs/ft. torque) and the Volvo D5 2.4 five cylinder diesel engine (180 BHP & 258 Lbs/ft. torque) which Volvo also fit in their 4x4 vehicles. I have the D5 engine in mine and because of the extra weight under the bonnet I have a match of 83% whereas the 2.0 ltr. version is around a 90% match.
Both the 2.0 and 2.4 have a 6 speed gearbox which is handy when travelling solo as I can get 55 mpg. on motorways at a steady 65 mph. and if you take it to 70 mph. I can get around 50 mpg. which is still excellent. I did all my homework like yourself before deciding what to buy and my final decision was either the Volvo V50 or the 2.0 ltr. Skoda Octavia estate merely because I have a lock up garage and anything bigger I can't get out the car door so the towing vehicle I have is the ultimate choice for me.