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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: Tow capacities v the reality Post Reply Post New Topic
Personkwaked
26/6/2016 at 1:37am
 Location: Greece
 Outfit: Stirling Elite Searcher View kwaked's Profile View Profile   Reply to kwaked Reply   Quote kwaked Quote  
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Hi all,

Could do with some advice please.

I will be flying to England next week and plan on towing my caravan from the UK to Greece.

My first idea was to buy a cheap 4x4 like a Mitsi Shogun, unfortunately i've not been abler to find a good one, so it's kinda shot that plan in the foot.

Plan B: is to throw a bit more money into the pot then sell my car in Greece.
As i really really don't fancy driving a Shogun daily around Athens it means i'm looking for something smaller.


I really like the BMW 335d's, nice car to drive, huge amount of torque and less soul crushing to drive daily compared to a Shogun.

Problem is my caravan is a 2008 Sterling Elite Searcher with a MTPLM of 1815kg and a MRO of 1523kg.

The 335d has a tow capacity of 1800kg, so it's cutting it a bit fine.

As torque is not going to be a problem i'd appreciate some real world experience on what problems i'm likely to expect with cutting the tow ratings so fine please.


Cheers
Mark


Personbrianconwy
26/6/2016 at 8:35am
 Location: north wales
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Driving sensibly is the key. Taking it slow down hills and not braking suddenly and everything should be OK. Traction may be a problem when starting on a steep hill with a wet road. I don't know how light the BMW s though.


Personcheckley1973
26/6/2016 at 8:36am
 Location: Sheffield
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Personally I wouldn't want to tow a caravan heavier than the my car. I currently tow at 98% with an Audi A4 which is fine.


PersonDerbian
26/6/2016 at 9:39am
 Location: derbyshire
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Be very tempted to put the van on a weigh bridge and check the actual weights before deciding, plated figures don't always reflect reality.

Ditto for the car if you can , some of the figures given on Vin plates etc are for a very basic model not even available in the UK and without lots of things you think of as standard.

Unfortunately very few owners ever see the Certificate of Conformity which is where the actual weight is given


Personkwaked
26/6/2016 at 9:57am
 Location: Greece
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Thank all.

The caravan is a twin axle so should be a fair bit more stable.

BMW list the 335d as 1645kg
With optional extras fitted to the car, 2 people, suitcases, extra kit etc i think it's likely it'll be over 1800kg.

What's the concern with regards to weight, is it the caravan fishtailing?


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Persondiesel steve
26/6/2016 at 12:39pm
 Location: fife
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its the gross train weight you should be looking at, on vin plate in car.this is what pc plod will look at.


PersonBig Roy
26/6/2016 at 12:50pm
 Location: Southport
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As long as you don't put anything in the caravan, according to your figures the caravan will be below your kerb weight so should be ok.
The only problem I can see is that empty caravans tend to be a bit skittish and need a bit of ballast for a smooth drive and getting the nose weight correct could be a problem


PersonNellie72
26/6/2016 at 8:10pm
 Location: S.Wales
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When did you pass your test?

-------------
Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.


Personkwaked
26/6/2016 at 8:14pm
 Location: Greece
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Thanks folks

Nellie, passed my test in 1987


Personnavver
26/6/2016 at 9:00pm
 Location: West country
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Towing a heavy caravan with a smallish, light car means you will have to drive slower as there is a risk of the caravan snaking. In particular you must slow down before going down hills.

You will have to concentrate more to keep your speed down and anticipate problems ahead so you can brake early. No doubt cruise control will keep speed constant.

Driving from UK to Greece is a long way at slower speed and high level of concentration.


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Personkwaked
26/6/2016 at 10:32pm
 Location: Greece
 Outfit: Stirling Elite Searcher View kwaked's Profile View Profile   Reply to kwaked Reply   Quote kwaked Quote  
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Thanks navver.

It's a holiday so i'm in no rush to be anywhere by a certain time.

Most of the towing will be on motorways, if memory serves it's more undulating rather than hilly.

Plan is to break the trip up into 500km segments, so it shouldn't be as taxing as the times we've done it in one go on the motorbike.


PersonBaileyjake
26/6/2016 at 10:36pm
 Location: West Midlands
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I thought diesel cars were not allowed in Athens and only allowed to certain people like farmers in the provinces.

I weighed my coachman with a Reich measuring system that weighs each wheel and the jockey wheel then totalises, It has a motor-mover and most of the cooking things, TVs and gas bottles were in. I was a little dismayed to see I was just over the MLPM by a few kg! I never carry the awning in the caravan but if I did I would be way over. Things like the oven, fridge, leisure battery are included in the pay load not the MRO.

-------------
First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara


Personkwaked
26/7/2016 at 11:55pm
 Location: Greece
 Outfit: Stirling Elite Searcher View kwaked's Profile View Profile   Reply to kwaked Reply   Quote kwaked Quote  
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Just wanted to update this.

Thank you to everyone for their help and advice.

Ended up buying a 335d, car was absolutely fantastic, we did everything from twisty Swiss mountain roads through to motorway slogs and the car was great.

First couple of days i emptied the caravan as much as possible and transferred as much weight into the car as i could.
Found i really couldn't tell any difference so didn't bother after that.

Found it helped on downhills if i dabbed the brakes before a bend (while the caravan/car was straight) i then eased off the brakes and let the caravan brake for me as much as possible.

Made for really smooth enjoyable progress.

We parked next to a police car a few times, in France and Italy, non batted an eyelid.

Pic is from the bottom of Mont Blanc


Personnavver
27/7/2016 at 8:50pm
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Thanks for the update; always nice to get some feedback.

That certainly looks a lot of caravan on a small car but it doesn't look stressed. The car is nice and level so the nose weight is not excessive.

The twin axle makes a big difference to stability.



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