I have a Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi , 55kw/75bhp (2006). Has anyone got any experience of using this car for towing a caravan? I'm looking to buy a small 2 berth caravan such as a Lunar Ariva or Bailey Ranger 382. I've typed these models into the Whattowcar website and it seems to suggest that I would only get "moderate" performaces and says that even on flat roads I would have to floor the gas pedal and change gears regularly.
The weight of the lunar Ariva and Bailey Ranger would be about 75% of the kerbweight of the car.
I've also looked at the Freedom caravans which are even lighter but I'd like something a bit bigger if possible.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
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I tow an Eriba Pan about 800kg all up with a 1.9d Berlingo no trouble at all, towed it over the Pyrenees & into Spain last yr. Didnt have to go so far this yr 'cos the weather was better so only went as far as SW France, how fast do you want to go? Its based on a commercial vehicle, designed for hauling loads so it makes a good towcar.
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We have been towing our Adria 461 for 5 years with our Berlingo 2.0 hdi.They are a very underated towing unit.The location of the rear axle at the "rear" of the car and close to the towball is a clear advantage as is the rear suspension which copes very well loaded or unladen.I would have no fear of towing any van of a suitable weight with my Berlingo.
We also have a Berlingo and are looking for a 4 or 5 berth caravan (our first one - upgrading from a Rapido folding caravan). I dont understand a thing about kerbweight etc. Would our 1.8 Berlingo be ok to tow a 4 or 5 berth?
I discovered that the Berlingo won Tow Car of the Year in 2005 so I put the details of the car and the caravan from the award into the WhatTowCar website and again it came up with "moderate performaces". So if this moderate performance won Tow Car of the Year, I am confident that it will be fine for me too.
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Quote: Originally posted by cornetjo on 31/8/2008
We also have a Berlingo and are looking for a 4 or 5 berth caravan (our first one - upgrading from a Rapido folding caravan). I dont understand a thing about kerbweight etc. Would our 1.8 Berlingo be ok to tow a 4 or 5 berth?
You really need to understand weights, just look in your handbook, it will give you max towing weight, 1100kg for all except 1.4 petrol which is 900kg. towbar imposed load(noseweight)is 70kg
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Quote: Originally posted by cornetjo on 31/8/2008
We also have a Berlingo and are looking for a 4 or 5 berth caravan (our first one - upgrading from a Rapido folding caravan). I dont understand a thing about kerbweight etc. Would our 1.8 Berlingo be ok to tow a 4 or 5 berth?
I think your berlingo has a max tow weight of 1100kgs so under no circumstances can that be exceeded . If its a 4-5 berth you are after some of the older vans will be under that but if you are after a new 5 berth under 1100 kgs your options could be limited
The 1.6 hdi struggles to pull a Christmas cracker never mind a caravan, in my opinion. The 2.0hdi though, is a very good workhorse and should give you no problems towing a matched caravan.
As the thread starter has asked about the 1.6hdi, I feel his tow car is not the best for towing with. Having said that, I've seen people towing with less powerful cars!
If you were thinking of changing your car anytime soon, do so before you buy a caravan, but make sure you take towing ability into account when choosing anew car.
hi, I've got exactly the same year and model of berlingo as you - spooky! We've recently taken a caravan down to Shropshire, about 3.5hours down the motorway for us. I found that the berlingo was very slow to accelerate and had to be kept in low gear for even the slightest uphill, but on the flat cruising at a constant speed there was no problem at all. Basically, it got the caravan where we wanted to go, just took a long time to do it! Incidentally, our caravan was a very old mystique, 4 berth and weighed in at 850kg.
We tow a Elddis Wisp 350/2 with our 2013 berlingo multispace 1.6 hdi.
Only time i have to change down to 4th or 3rd is on a real hard hill.
I have to watch my mph as this thing creaps to 70mph if i let it lol
As well is two words!
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