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Subject Topic: Advice for a Newbie please Post Reply Post New Topic
04/1/2016 at 12:10am
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Abbey GTS Vogue 517
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Hi, we've just bought our first van, an Abby GTS Vogue 517 (2002) and will be pulling it with a BMW 320D saloon(03 plate) 150 Bhp. I know it's a heavy van but will our car pull it ok ? Thanks in advance, Mark


04/1/2016 at 12:49am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
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Mass in Running Order (inc. tolerance) 1340kg
Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass 1560Kg van


Car
Max towing weight (braked)
1600 kg

Max towing weight (unbraked)
720 kg
Nose weight 70KG

Should be around 90%, so OK

Post last edited on 04/01/2016 00:56:54


04/1/2016 at 1:58am
 Location: Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Unicorn Cartagena & Discovery Sport
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Might be better to double check those figures, I done a quick check on one of the matching websites which shows a kerb weight of 1489kg which as you can see is a bit below the maximum weight of the van.


04/1/2016 at 8:25am
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Legally it's ok to tow & engine has enough power. Fully laden caravan(1435kg found on web but check this)is only a bit lighter than car kerbweight(1490kg). If towbar download limit for car is only 70kg that may or may not be insufficient for caravan of that weight so you will just have to see how it tows. I'd drive the outfit on the motorway at 55mph with the trucks though.


04/1/2016 at 6:11pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
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14.90 kg was the min kerb weight on all sites checked


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04/1/2016 at 9:36pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Abbey GTS Vogue 517
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Thanks for the advice. According to the online checkers I'll be running about 93% but I'll be putting the heavy stuff in the car. As I said it's our first van so we probably won't be venturing far, got the lakes on our doorstep


04/1/2016 at 10:10pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570
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As its your first van I assume you have little towing experience if so my advice is be careful as the caravan is close to that of the car the 85% rule is always a good marker. You could take the van to your local weighbridge over the years it may have additional items fitted which will obviously increase its weight.
Saloon cars tend to have a longer over hang from the rear axle than hatchbacks and this may be noticeable if you have too much equipment in the boot or on the caravans nose.
Having said this I towed a Pagent Champange with a 320 touer and then with a 320 compact and they were both about the same either way BMW make a fine towcar

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its our imperfections that makes us perfect


04/1/2016 at 10:57pm
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti
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This is a post in general, why do people not check that their car can tow the van before buying ? just saying.

wrong tow car

-------------
Robert (BoB)


04/1/2016 at 11:20pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Abbey GTS Vogue 517
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Perhaps because I got the chance of a good, well looked after van for a decent price off a mate ? I can afford a bigger car and will buy one if I need to but I like the 3 series, I get 48mpg on average and it goes like sh** off a stick if I need it to


04/1/2016 at 11:27pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570
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well said markie you will have a great time with it especially if you have children too, take your time with it the nice thing about camping is theres never a rush and the 320 should be just fine

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its our imperfections that makes us perfect


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04/1/2016 at 11:34pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Abbey GTS Vogue 517
View Markie G's Profile View Profile   Reply to Markie G Reply   Quote Markie G Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 04/1/2016
As its yourirst van I assume you have little towing experience.

Having said this I towed a Pagent Champange with a 320 touer and then with a 320 compact and they were both about the same either way BMW make a fine towcar


I have quite a bit, boat and LGV horse box + drag but not a lot of caravanThanks for this, it's made me feel a bit better about keeping the 3 series


04/1/2016 at 11:47pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570
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Markie sounds like you have lots of experience to me so go for it

-------------
its our imperfections that makes us perfect



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