Message Forums

Hi,

I am just about to go on hols with our Swift Corvette, we normally tow it with a 2.0l laguna, but this is terminally ill. Our other car is a Megane 1.4 16v, I have checked in the hand book for both car and van, my maximum kerb weight is 1135kg, van max loaded weight is 950kg. Am I right in thinking this will be ok as it is (just) within the 85% rule?

Fisherman14 has a website address advertised on the message board here, (last entry was on 31/7/05), and I looked on it out of curiosity and found it wonderful! Sadly the website has far too many letters for my feeble pea brain to be able to cope with on the typing front, so I'm afraid you'll have to find his message and click on the direct link.

It has most makes of car on there and then a chap called Chris has worked out all this 85% lark for us! Brill! Personally, I've never been able to do that and hubby's, (not good), view has always been that 'if it feels right, then it must be'! Typical.

Anyway, if your make and model aren't on there you just contact this Chris chap giving him your car's specs and caravans and he'll add it to the list so all will be able to see for future reference. Great source of info when you're shopping around for either a new tow car or caravan.

Hope you find it as helpful as me

Call me luvverly if you like, but thought I'd just have a butchers at that site for you!

But found so-o-o many different types of megane - I didn't have a clue which exact model it was you've got and they're all so different i.e. hatch/sport and gawd knows what else!

Sorry, but I did try. They're all different 85% weights too and this can even change from year to year dependent upon which year yours is.

Ho,hum, that'll teach me to try and be helpful....

try this site that tells you what kerbwieghts are for differant vehicles

kerbweights

also try www.whattowcar.com this will let you put your caravan in and car and tell you whether its the right match.

Thanks everyone, the sites and advice are really helpful. My kerb weight is OK Just.. so am going to go with it, just take it easy, as suggested.....!!! Only going 50 miles so not exactly the ends of the earth!

as  an experienced caravan tower you should be fine even if the weight ratio was near the 100% mark as the 85% is only a  guide.

as others have said be gentle with the car  as 1.4 is going to be quite low on torque.

what year is your corvette as mine is an 1985 model. and I have just renovated it inside  see my website for details.

Yes I will be very gentle, I am going on a route that I know well and doesn't have any sharpe inclines....!

Ours is a 1989 corvette, have taken a look at your site, I thought I was being ambitious in installing hot water in ours, you put me to shame!!!!

The corvette is a great van, only had ours a year but we love it.....!

Hiya' Chris, and welcome to the site......its a good 'un.

Regards towing with the Megane.  If you have checked out your kerb weights and can stay legal then let me reasure you that the Renault engine and gearbox will take all you can give it.

We had a 2.0ltr Picasso until last year and swapped it for a 1.6 Scenic.......you've guest it.... the Renault tows our 1250 Elddis as though we were solo.   There is a fairly big difference in the fuel consumption tho'  with the van on and making her work a bit I'm down to about 24mpg where as I can get 46 - 47mpg on a run solo.

Good Luck

Les Wilson

i have a w reg 1.4 megane 16v and working in the motor trade(for vauxhall...LOL) i find it a bit gutless.

it will tow the van with ease but watch the hills and be carfull of the on going "renault coil problem".

there are four coils, one per spark plug and they are prong for packing up under intense load.

oh and the rear wheel bearings are prone to moaning too.

we took the megane to scotland last year and go 48mpg but when we got back after clocing about 1400 mile it needed a rear bearing and two coils.

hope all goes well with yours.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE GEARBOX...tHE TEMP  and WATER LEVEL...oil guauge

its prob ok for a SHORT disance....take minimum weight,,,

ELVIS