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Subject Topic: Compass Corona 475 Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmogbasket
02/8/2014 at 6:04pm
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We're a family of four looking to make the leap from camping to caravanning. After a second-hand 'van with a separate sleeping area for the kids. Towing with a Vauxhall Zafira (petrol) so nothing too massive! Budget 5-10k.

Our local dealership has a Compass Corona 475 for sale - 5 berth 2003 model - which looks like it might suit but I can't find much info online. Has anyone had one and can recommend or point out any drawbacks? Or any other models which might suit us? Thanks!


Personmillermicm
02/8/2014 at 6:37pm
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We used to have a Compass Corona 472 (2 berth)2002. Sold it now but we were very pleased with it. No problems at all.

Compass are I believe considered to be a budget caravan but ours was well equipped and towed well.

Without knowing a bit more about the car I would double check your towing weights. A 5 berth van with a petrol Zafira might be close to the limit.

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Steve


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Persontango55
03/8/2014 at 6:41pm
 Location: Lichfield
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Vauxhall Zafira petrol but what size engine?


Personmark26
03/8/2014 at 6:49pm
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whattowcar.com might help with matching your Zafira to a caravan.


Personmogbasket
03/8/2014 at 7:04pm
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Thanks all. It's a 1.8L engine which apparently can tow up to 1200kg - the Corona's fully laden weight is 1200kg so we should be ok if we don't overload it! We aren 't likely to be doing motorway driving or hairpin bends - just using it locally around Norfolk so nice and flat :)

We have reserved it in theory but have to decide by tomorrow if we want it . i am still feeling a bit funny about spending that much money (we're used to cheap tents). I do really like the idea though.


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Persontango55
03/8/2014 at 7:35pm
 Location: Lichfield
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I used to have a 1.8 petrol Zafira and even having a caravan with only 780 kgs. MIRO (unladen weight) and 1000 kgs. MTPLM (laden weight) it struggled somewhat on motorway inclines to say the least and got no more than 24 mpg. when towing. If the laden weight of the caravan is 1200 kgs. then you would be towing at a 100% match which would be unadvisable especially for a novice and it could contravene your vehicle insurance too so there's a lot at stake not to mention the safety of you and your passengers.
The distance doesn't matter how far you are travelling as the unexpected could happen within just a few miles from home.


Personmillermicm
03/8/2014 at 7:48pm
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The 1.8 Zafira (05 on) weighs in at 1443. you should be ok with a caravan max laden of 1200kg at 85% but I cannot speak from experience with this match. It should be legal and able but not fun or comfortable.

Can't help with your funny feeling. That is what they cost sadly.

-------------
Steve


Personmogbasket
04/8/2014 at 7:27am
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Hmm there does seem to be some confusion over what the Zafira can tow. DH is going to call Vauxhall today to see what they say. No use getting a van if we can't tow it!


Personhomebird2003
04/8/2014 at 8:42am
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Our can can tow 1300kg (Citroen Zsara Picasso 2 ltr) and the caravan is 1250kg. It struggles with steep hills and is hard work although it managed to get us in and out of a wet rally field when lots of others needed a tow. I don't know if its relevant as I don't drive but we've had to replace our clutch twice in 10 months. To be honest its restricted us this year as to where we've camped (ie not in our favourite place Devon because of the steep hills enroute) and we would get a more powerful car if we could afford it.

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Homebird


PersonHairywol
04/8/2014 at 9:07am
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Your Zaf will tow the van but it will struggle a bit.

Manufacturers' tow capacities are calculated by how heavy a trailer a car can tow away on a 12% incline with max passengers. This means that 7 seaters usually have lower ratings than 5 seaters.

Legally you must not tow with a trailer heavier than the towing vehicles max tow capacity, nor with a trailer that is heavier than the car's unladen weight. Sensible guidance is that the trailer should weigh less than 85% of the car's weight.

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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.


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PersonRob and Tina
04/8/2014 at 4:02pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Homebird, we had a 2.0 diesel Picasso. The kerbweight is 1300kg and the engine produces 92bhp so towing 1250kg is going to be hard work. We towed 1000kg or so and that was hard work, I wouldn't have wanted to tow 1250kg with it.

Rob


Personhomebird2003
04/8/2014 at 4:12pm
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We didn't realise when we bought the caravan, just looked at the figures and thought it would be ok. We know better now though

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Homebird


Personmogbasket
04/8/2014 at 8:12pm
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Thank you for all the replies, it's been really useful. DH door to Vauxhall today and the max towing weight for our model is 1200kg or maybe even 1100kg (the Vauxhall guy needed to check). Long story short, it sounds like too much of a risk to buy a caravan without buying a more powerful car, and we can't afford to do both!

We may look into getting a trailer tent and getting a seasonal pitch for it, as that was always the idea with the caravan. Basically we just want to be able to go away locally whenever the weather is kind, without having to load the top box and set up a tent from scratch every time!


Personmogbasket
06/8/2014 at 10:31pm
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Update: we have bought the caravan :) the dealer is going to deliver it straight to our chosen site for the rest of the season, and DH is going to go on a towing course so all being well, we should be alright to move it around next year if we want to. We only want to stay in Norfolk anyway soso if all else fails we'll just hire something bigger to tow it :)

Very excited now!



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