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Subject Topic: What tow car what caravan Post Reply Post New Topic
Personrazor344
30/9/2016 at 3:26pm
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We are looking at getting back into caravaning.

Currently drive a 2011 A4 estate. 2.0 TDI. Great car but looking at various Web sites might be a bit light on the towing side. But the user manual states 1800kg towing capacity.

There are 4 of us. 2 adults 2 children and a dog. There might be another child at some point.

Caravan wise we really like, or should I say I really like the Lunar Quasar 615. 5 berth with 2 bunk beds for the children. Ages 6 and 9.

But I don't think the A4 will manage it.

What suggestions on other tow cars do people have.

Also what other combinations of caravan makes do bunks.

Budget on car upgrade would be 12k max and caravan would be 6 - 7k

Appreciate your help and guidance

Marc & Sarah


PersonGrampian91
30/9/2016 at 3:35pm
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What does the logbook (V5C) state for the max tow? I thought 1500kg but that maybe a lower spec engine than yours?

Quasar 615 1600kg max? The cars kerbweight is less than that so not recommended.

So many cars to choose from but it depends on what you need from the car when not towing. A Range Rover would be my choice, but the fuel consumption may cripple you in everyday use.

SUV or 4x4?   Or do you need something more car like A6 estate? But "only" 300bhp. probably needs more



PersonRay Clayton
30/9/2016 at 4:11pm
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Hi welcome to the site.
Kia Sorento will tow that size van, but to be honest not many out there will.
Take a look at practical caravan reviews of towcars.

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/tow-car

Once you get to that type of weight you are getting closer to leaving the SUV range, big saloon & estates, leading into the 4x4 range of motors.


-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Personrazor344
30/9/2016 at 6:00pm
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this is where it gets confusing, the under bonnet info sticker is below which would give a weight of 1670kg to tow but the audi manual states 1800kg ???. the 1670kg i think is the 85% but the 1800kg is what its capable of.

I really like the look of the A6 estate, but would have to get a 2nd hand one, around 2012 and parkers website state towing kg of 1800 - 1900 kg


PersonOpensauce
30/9/2016 at 6:15pm
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Audi give 2 max tow weights. one is based on moving the indicated weight on an 8% hill & the other on a 12%. This is what the car is mechanically capable of & makes no claim that these are safe weights to tow.

Good sense will tell you that it is unwise to tow a caravan that is heavier than the car which why figure of around 85% of kerbweight is suggested.


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Personrazor344
30/9/2016 at 6:51pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 30/9/2016
Audi give 2 max tow weights. one is based on moving the indicated weight on an 8% hill & the other on a 12%. This is what the car is mechanically capable of & makes no claim that these are safe weights to tow.

Good sense will tell you that it is unwise to tow a caravan that is heavier than the car which why figure of around 85% of kerbweight is suggested.


So it would be 85% of the 1670kg which is 1419.5kg

So what about the A6. Any ideas. Or the Q5.

Also what other caravans will suit. Is there a site I can look at etc. Don't want to go see lots and never find one

Thanks
Marc & Sarah


PersonOpensauce
30/9/2016 at 8:56pm
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There are car/caravan matching sites here for example. Ok as a guide but check the info against manufacturer data before buying anything.


Personrazor344
30/9/2016 at 9:13pm
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Looking at these sites the a6 comes out well

What other caravans do bunks


PersonGrampian91
30/9/2016 at 11:39pm
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Your figures are similar to mine. Cars gross weight with driver/fuel/passengers/luggage etc = 2095kg, kerbweight 1500-1600kg?

The book states you can tow 1800kg BUT not loaded fully at the same time.

2095 + 1800 = 3895, but your gross train weight limit is 3765kg. You need to lose 130kg from the trailer or car.

1670kg comes from the vehicle gross train weight minus the cars max laden weight.
GTW = 3765kg - 2095kg = max tow 1670kg.

I was working out weight limits to take the FIL's mobility scooter with us and the figures surprised me at how quickly the weight built up. 5 adult passengers with an average weight of 11 stone = a touch under 350kg before you start adding luggage. although most kerbweights include a 75kg driver so deduct that.
Still 275kg for 4 passengers.


Personrazor344
01/10/2016 at 10:01am
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PersonSupatramp
01/10/2016 at 4:40pm
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But the figures you quote are MIRO, that is unladen!!!! What's the MTPLM figure?

-------------
David.


I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!


Personrazor344
01/10/2016 at 5:23pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Supatramp on 01/10/2016
But the figures you quote are MIRO, that is unladen!!!! What's the MTPLM figure?


Is that the MTPLM of the caravan ??


PersonOpensauce
01/10/2016 at 7:48pm
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Miro is empty weight of caravan but including gas bottle, battery & a few odd bits. Mtplm is fully laden weight.

The matching site page is slightly confusing because it quotes empty weight Miro of caravan & then states user payload lower down the page.


Personrazor344
01/10/2016 at 7:51pm
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So with the A6 comparison. Even with the MTPLM of 1500kg we are still under the 85%


Personnavver
01/10/2016 at 8:23pm
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2095 is max loaded weight of car
3765 is gross train weight ( max actual loaded combined weights of car and caravan)
1075 is max weight on car front axle
1140 is max weight on car rear axle


So 3765 - 2095 = 1670kg is the max braked trailer tow weight with a fully laden car.

The 85% rule is applied to the cars kerb weight or unladen weight. That is not shown on those plates.


Personjaiash
03/10/2016 at 3:38pm
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Quote: Originally posted by razor344 on 30/9/2016
this is where it gets confusing, the under bonnet info sticker is below which would give a weight of 1670kg to tow but the audi manual states 1800kg ???. the 1670kg i think is the 85% but the 1800kg is what its capable of.

I really like the look of the A6 estate, but would have to get a 2nd hand one, around 2012 and parkers website state towing kg of 1800 - 1900 kg



I used to tow our Pegasus (1500kg laden) with an A4 Avant - no problem. (Towed in this country, France regularly, Switzerland, Austria and Italy).
See you would like an A6 Avant - may have one for sale very soon - '62 reg auto in white - two owners (me and son) approx 75k miles full history. CAn't get hold of him at the minute ti check he still has it for sale.

-------------
Grahame



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