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 Topic: Small (diesel) car towing advice
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22/9/2019 at 10:53pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4
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I would like to buy a (2nd hand) caravan to provide a bit more comfort and warmth to camping....(never towed a caravan before but have towed a small trailer)
I have a small diesel car a 1.6HDI 88bhp Citroen C3 Picasso kerb weight 1389kg. From what I understand the recommendation is a max of 85% the kerb weight. I could get a larger car but as its usually just me in the car I'm reluctant to do so.
I've been looking at small 2 berth like lunar arriva or Bailey Orion 400-2 which are around 1050-1100kg MTPLM. If I went up to 1200kg MTPLM it would give a great deal more choice in caravans- maybe something like a Sprite Alpine 2 berth. There would only be myself caravaning. I've looked online at very lightweights such as Eriba or Freedom and pop-up (Trigano) caravans but want a bit more space. A Venus 380/2 (MTPLM 1000kg) is a possibility.
Nose weight could be an issue but if the MTPLM is around 1000kg then it should be okay (falls within in the 5-7% range).
What my main unknown is - how well will the car tow? Or should I accept that if I want a decent sized caravan, I need to buy a larger car?
Thanks in advance.
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22/9/2019 at 11:16pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I personally wouldn't want to tow a 1,200kg caravan with a car having only 88bhp. I think it would struggle. I tow a caravan weighing only around 1,000kg, and I tow it with a car having 150bhp, but then I like to have a good reserve of power.
I don't know what budget you are looking at but there are some decent older caravans similar to mine on the market, and they tend to be lighter than more modern caravans. In my opinion better built than some of them too! My caravan is a 4 berth and quite roomy, although there are only two of us and out little dog.
Our caravan was a trade-in at a local dealer, and cost us £1,100. It's in really nice condition too. Picture on my profile. End of the season is a good time to buy.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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23/9/2019 at 7:51pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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That car doesn't sound too bad at all. Many of us tow with non 4x4s and modest engines and we get a long fine. It's simply a matter of looking at the numbers and doing the sums to make sure it's legal and safe.
You need to post your max tow braked trailer weight and Gross Train Weight and cars max tow bar or nose weight.
I have a Bailey Pursuit 400-2 which was a fore runner of the Orion and similar weight. Tow it with a Peugeot Partner 115 bhp diesel. To be honest I think the 90bhp Pug would tow it just as well as it's lower geared.
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23/9/2019 at 8:05pm
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you need to check on your vin plate, but I think you will find that your car has a max towing weight of 1100kgs if you cant figure it out then post the info on here and we will let you know
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23/9/2019 at 10:49pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4
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Thanks for the responses.
From owners manual. Kerb weight 1364kg Braked trailer weight is 1200kg. Gross vehicle weight 1771 and Gross train weight on 12% gradient is 2971kg...
I'm probably going to change my car in a couple of years anyway so maybe the best approach is get the caravan I want and if existing car struggles change the car....
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23/9/2019 at 11:08pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by gari on 23/9/2019
Thanks for the responses.
From owners manual. Kerb weight 1364kg Braked trailer weight is 1200kg. Gross vehicle weight 1771 and Gross train weight on 12% gradient is 2971kg...
I'm probably going to change my car in a couple of years anyway so maybe the best approach is get the caravan I want and if existing car struggles change the car....
Yes I think that is what I would do too.
Some would say that my car is overkill for such a comparatively light caravan, but I prefer to have plenty of power in reserve and I like the car I have. I have to admit my X Trail hardly even notices when the caravan is on the back. Sails up hills as if it were solo.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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24/9/2019 at 8:13am
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Compass Omega 432
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We tow a Compass Omega 432 with a 12 plate 1.6 diesel Citroen Berlingo Multispace Plus.
The Berlingo is 5 seat, sliding back doors and huge boot space. Also very economical.
Never had a problem, it purrs along with the c’van on the back.
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sandra
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24/9/2019 at 8:28pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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That sounds good. You can tow up to 1200kg and won't even need an upgrade on your driving licence.
The 1200kg will be the MTPLM of the caravan not the MIRO or ex works weight etc. It has to be the loaded weight.
You'll find the Orion very spacious inside. The wardrobe is in the end bathroom so the living area appears to be huge as there is nothing high breaking it up. Have a look at one. The seats at the front make very good singles as well. I use one and am 6'4" tall.
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25/9/2019 at 6:20pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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Not quite Navver. It's the actual weight of the caravan that can't legally exceed the 1200kg towing limit, not necessarily the MTPLM. However, in reality the payloads of most modern caravans are small and you'll be close to the MTPLM anyway when loaded up for a holiday.
Gari - a note of caution. The towing limit of a car is based on the weight of a trailer that it can move from a standing hill start, and not the weight of a high-sided caravan that it can comfortably tow for long distances. You're asking a lot of 88bhp to tow what is effectively a big 1.2-tonne box in addition to the weight of the car itself. Whilst you can certainly legally tow the caravans you're looking at, my suspicion is that in reality you'll want more power and torque.
If you can afford to change the car to a mid-sized saloon or estate such as VW Passat (we've had three and they're brilliant), Ford Mondeo, Skoda Superb, Vauxhall Insignia, BMW 3-series, Audi A4/A5 etc with a 2.0 diesel engine producing 140-150bhp or so, this will easily and comfortably tow at least 1300kg without you needing to upgrade your licence. You'll also have a much wider choice of 2 or 4-berth caravans within that limit so it might be worth a thought.
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25/9/2019 at 10:00pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4
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Thanks - I've been looking at the Tow car awards site and the Golf and Octavia seems to come out quite well for lower weight caravans
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26/9/2019 at 8:29pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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I've always used reasonably small engine normal sized cars for towing. I have the 115bhp Peugeot Partner now and tow, I have driven the 90bhp Partner.
In normal driving it's very difficult to even know they are different. the reason being that the less powerful engine has lower gearing. That makes it feel much more nippy than the larger engined version.
With caravans, the critical load for towing on flat roads is the wind resistance. Once above 40 to 50 mph the wind resistance is the major user of power, the weight of the van has very little impact on performance except on hills or when accelerating.
The legal limit is only 60mph and my Partner at that speed is doing 2250 RPM in 5th. It is only a 5 speed box. At 50mph it is 1875RPM. This means I have to change down quite often on hills simply because the car is going so slowly. If I could tow at 65 or 70mph it would be very different and the car would not need to change down so often.
With the 90bhp's lower gearing, it will not need to change down so often.
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via mobile 24/9/2019 at 8:44am
