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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: New towcar, struggling to decide
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Personandyd99
22/9/2015 at 9:52pm
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After some advice and opinions if that's ok. After the last few years camping (and a freezing cold couple of nights last weekend) we've decided to buy our first caravan. There's only myself the wife and 5 year old girl so don't need anything to big or expensive to start with. Trouble I'm having is towcar!! My lovely little megane 3 isn't big enough unfortunately for a van and all the luggage, passengers etc from what I can work out, so looking to upgrade. What towcars do you guys use? Looking for something for everyday use as well, but the wife isn't to keen on using anything big for the school runs etc. (She only
passed her test 12 months ago). Showed her a mondeo hatchback yesterday but to long apparently!!!!!! It's the first car that springs to mind for me as the ideal tow car. I'm thinking small suv but just
Keep going round in circles!!! Would welcome any advice to a newbie caravaner!!


PersonGrampian91
23/9/2015 at 2:57am
 Location: Midlands
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If the Mondeo is too big try a Focus.

Your megane will tow a caravan, it just needs to be a lightweight one.


Personandyd99
24/9/2015 at 11:41pm
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Looking at the focus though, it doesn't seem to have much more minimum keen weight than my megane? 1320kg. Looking at the Nissan Qashqui 2ltr diesel, with a minimum kerb weight of 1520kg. Would that tow an average 4 berth caravan with luggage, passengers etc without exceeding the 85% rule? This is all new to me and to be honest I'm struggling to get my head around it all, just want to be safe. There's only the 3 of us so not looking for anything to big to tow. Hope that makes sense.....


PersonOpensauce
25/9/2015 at 6:51am
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Yes Qashqui would be ok with diesel, max gross weight of around 2tonnes so ok on just B licence with caravan of around 1300kg mtplm.


PersonNutkins
01/10/2015 at 4:17pm
 Location: Bradford
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Hi Andy, we were in the same position 2 years ago. Wife was exactly the same didn't want anything as long as mondeo. We eventually opted for Focus cmax 2lt diesel. Model we have kerb weight is approx 1544kg with 75kg max hitch weight. We are over the 85% rule with our 4 berth van more like 93% but in the 2 years i've towed its been perfect. Just got to take it easy reversing van onto pitch with clutch burn, but from what i've read this is a fairly common problem.

-------------
I went to the top of the mountain...and looked over the other side!


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Personjanus
01/10/2015 at 4:41pm
 Location: Rochdale
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When do you collect your father in laws Volvo Andy?

-------------
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

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


Personandyd99
01/10/2015 at 6:21pm
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He's down in Somerset at the minute in his caravan so 2 weeks. Then it's caravan hunting time 👍👍


Personjanus
01/10/2015 at 7:45pm
 Location: Rochdale
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You mean he is putting more miles on your car. Shame, what is the world coming to. 😀😀😀😀

-------------
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

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


Personandyd99
04/10/2015 at 7:36pm
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Gutted, father in law has rang me today to apologise and say he has decided to keep his Volvo, saying its to good to sell!!! He's right
Thought it's a lovely motor, but gutted as was looking forward
To buying that 😢😢😢

Back to square one!!! Looking around at the min, I'm just not to sure what to go for. How do I work it all out?? 😳😳😳

If I go for a caravan advertised at lets Say 1400 MTPLM, how do I work it out, and know what type and Kind of motor to go for, sticking to the 85% rule??? This is where my head falls off!!!!!!!


PersonOpensauce
04/10/2015 at 7:53pm
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Probably done you a favour, Volvo would have been good until you had to pay out to fix it. Buy a 2litre diesel Mondeo, most people will say that makes sense.


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Personandyd99
04/10/2015 at 8:02pm
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I love the mondeos hands down, and I would have one tomorrow, but the other half thinks they are to big, as she'll be driving it on a day to day basis, as I've got my company motor so don't drive ours at all in the week. Struggling to know what to go for to be honest!!! When looking at the cars and seeing the minimum kerb weights, not sure how to work out if it's big enough for a van of up to 1400 MTPLM?????


PersonOpensauce
04/10/2015 at 8:07pm
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If you want a smaller car then you will have to buy a smaller caravan. Start with the car you want & then get a caravan to suit it.


Personandyd99
04/10/2015 at 8:38pm
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It's making sure I've got the motor to suit. Don't want to buy a motor then end up realising I can only tow a small van. For example, if I brought a focus or Astra estate 2ltr diesel around 2010-2011, could I tow a Van of around 1350 - 1400 MTPLM? Still following the 85% ruling? Sounds daft, but I'm fine on the practical side of caravanning, but when it comes figures, I've always struggled with this side of things!!


Personbessie500
04/10/2015 at 9:17pm
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Asra and focus 2 light to tow 1400 at 85% you need a heavy car light mondeo or insignia or Passat other than that your into 4x4s

Bessie


PersonSkoda Bob
05/10/2015 at 10:28am
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Skoda Octavia or Superb 2ltr tdi 170 bhp tow 1400 all day, there is even 4x4 s available under the Octavia scout, loads of room and massive boots


PersonHenkJones
05/10/2015 at 11:40am
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Current shape Astra 2litre diesel estate has kerbweight of just under 1500kg so should be ok for caravan up to 1300kg mtplm, bit more than that if you like, 85% is just a guide.



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