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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: Van versus car Post Reply Post New Topic
Personbl03
14/5/2017 at 3:32pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Caravan View bl03's Profile View Profile   Reply to bl03 Reply   Quote bl03 Quote  
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Please could anyone advise on the differance bewtween towing with a van rather than a car, does it increase or reduce the drag when lorries go past?
Thanks in advance


PersonOpensauce
14/5/2017 at 4:27pm
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An empty or lightly loaded panel van, Ford Transit or similar is likely to need a couple of bags of cement in the back to give better handling while towing. You need to compare like with like comparing car & van. A Transit or T5 with suitably powered engine can tow quite a large caravan but an SUV towing same caravan will make a better handling tug.

Short answer is car generally makes better tug than van but you need to be comparing like with like. There is no definite answer. If you have plenty of power then trucks will not be passing you on motorway inclines.

Post last edited on 14/05/2017 16:33:45


PersonGrampian91
14/5/2017 at 6:00pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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The vans higher centre of gravity could be affected more by crosswinds and turbulence from trucks.

Some campsites wont allow vans, I stayed at one in London and there were several builders with vans and they had to leave them in the public carpark outside the campsite.

But for every con there is probably a pro.


Personbl03
16/5/2017 at 9:31pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
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Thanks fir the advice we were looking at VW transporters as they seem very popular tow vehicles in Europe, we have only had experience with towing with estate cars 😊


PersonOpensauce
17/5/2017 at 7:22am
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If you mean Caravalle bus type Transporter people carrier with seats & windows then that will be ok for towing provided you have some people & gear in the back & more powerful engine. Your question was about the handling. Not the towing capability which would include having enough power to keep ahead of trucks on motorway inclines.

As long as tow vehicle is up to towing caravan then it's ok whatever it is. Obviously a large Suv with plenty of power will feel better than a van when towing a large caravan but if it's a van you need then it will do the job.


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Persondiesel steve
17/5/2017 at 7:48pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
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a few years back i got a 24 hrs demonstration drive of a vw transporter kombi as i need room for dogs in the back also 5 seats.hooked my 1800kgs adria on the back and went for a drive. 140 bhp engine pulled really well,up to 60 mph on the motorway, great, until i was overtaken by a sprinter van, the vw went into a serious swing and i crapped myself. vw was far to light in the rear for my caravan. i eventually bought a hyundai i800. 8 seater and removed the rear bench seat to make way for a dog create. the i800 weights in at 2350kgs unladen and it tows brilliantly.168bhp,cruise on motorway at 65mph. passes trucks no wobbles at all.   when i used to tow with an estate car i always put a roof box on and found it more stable than without it


Personrichardandjo2010
17/5/2017 at 10:36pm
 Location: essex
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It is becoming more popular for sites to refuse panel vans especially if they are sign written

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


Personcolinlob
18/5/2017 at 11:44am
 Location: Cheshire
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I will also echo the comments about the Hyundai i800. We tow a lighter 1300kg Adria with no problems at all. Six people plus assorted luggage up hill and down dale with no issues, including down to the Pyrenees last year. Very stable. Also the Hyundai is rear wheel drive which may make a difference. Very stable when towing. Newer than 2012 cars(?) have a 134bhp engine and six instead of five gears, but are still considered OK. You just have to stir the gearbox more.


Personbl03
22/5/2017 at 9:49pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
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Thanks for the advice all, perhaps not a VW transporter, i think a lot of homework needs to be done!



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