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Topic: Skoda towing advice - should I upgrade?

karenn

30/5/2015 at 5:56pm
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Hi

I have just started looking for a 4 berth caravan and I am in need of advice.

My Skoda Octavia 1.8 20v turbo comes in at 1250kg kerb weight. I have seen 2 dealers and had a look online and there is a lot of choice. What I am unsure is whether I should try and get a van that my current car can tow or upgrade the car? Ideally I don't want to fork out for a car as well as a van but also I don't want to end up with something difficult to tow or severely limit my options.

Do people think that it would be possible to find something ok to pair with my existing car? I don't have a firm budget yet as I don't know what you get for your money but somewhere around £5K.

ROG.

30/5/2015 at 7:28pm
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Sprite Alpine 4 berth 2011 is 1029 mtplm

I am certain there are others around that figure

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EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor

Opensauce

30/5/2015 at 8:49pm
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It depends on size of caravan you want. Safe weight for your car would be up to around 1100kg all up weight referred to as mtplm. Plenty of choice up to that weight but not that big and you are ok on B licence which you will have if you passed you test after 1997.

If you want much larger car and caravan you may need B+E licence. You have one if you passed test before '97 otherwise you need to take another test.

karenn

30/5/2015 at 9:09pm
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Hi

Thanks for the replies. Its good to know there are some options

I passed my test before 97 so that is not an issue.

One question that does seem key is - if smaller weight equals smaller van will I be able to find something that has two proper size single beds? (i.e. not bunk beds) I have 2 teenagers who aren't getting any smaller.

Opensauce

30/5/2015 at 9:52pm
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I doubt you will get a light caravan with fixed single beds . That layout is usually in larger caravans. layout would have singles and a front dinette to make into double bed with a single each side further back. Usually over about 1450kg all up weight or more so bigger car required for that.

karenn

01/6/2015 at 1:03pm
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Thanks for the reply OpenSauce

If I cant have fixed beds would there be anything in my weight range where I could use front benches as 2 single beds instead of a double so kids can sleep at the front and me at the back?

I have seen a few 4 and 5 berths in this configuration but I suspect the seat length at front isn't long enough.

By the way I got kerb weight wrong - from towcar info site I believe it is 1365kg so looking for up to 1160kg.

Thanks

Karen

billy

01/6/2015 at 1:51pm
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You would be looking for a caravan with front dinette 6ft long front to back & rear dinette big enough for double bed or a rear fixed bed, I think you would struggle find that in a caravan of that weight. Probably any caravan that would comfortably fit 4 in the configuration you seek would need a 4x4 or large people carrier to tow it.

Caravanners will sometimes have their older kids sleeping on inflatable mattresses in awning or in separate small tent.

For accuracy you need to establish weights of your car from handbook or from Skoda not from a matching site which sometimes contain incorrect info.

karenn

01/6/2015 at 4:25pm
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Much appreciate your comments Billy. You have confirmed what I suspected. I need a bigger car! Dont want to put kids in awning as we upgrading from tent and it seems unfair.

Cant find car weight in handbook. Will take another look on car tonight.

Octavia4x4

01/6/2015 at 7:34pm
Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
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Quote: Originally posted by karenn on 01/6/2015
Much appreciate your comments Billy. You have confirmed what I suspected. I need a bigger car! Dont want to put kids in awning as we upgrading from tent and it seems unfair.

Cant find car weight in handbook. Will take another look on car tonight.

In my Skoda handbook there is no reference to kerbweight only 'unloaded weight ready for work'!! for my car 1,495kg. Check your V5C for mass in service which for me is 1,495kg, this includes 90% tank of fuel and driver 75kg. My 2006 Sprite Alpine 4 has a mtplm of 1,230kg

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Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)

Skoda Bob

04/6/2015 at 8:16pm
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tow our Sterling eccles coral 535 Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 1167

Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1322
with a 1.9 tdi superb

Post last edited on 04/06/2015 20:24:16

Skoda Bob

04/6/2015 at 8:29pm
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Your car

Unbraked Towing Weight

500 kg

Braked Towing Weight

1000 kg

karenn

16/6/2015 at 12:55pm
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Thanks Bob

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