Astra 1.7 dti Estate

[Keith_5117602]

I am new to caravaning and know that my vehicle is lightweight and underpowered. We havn't bought a caravan yet but I am wondering whether anyone has towed an ABI Marauder 450 1996 - 98 model(MIRO 870kg MTPLM 1100kg)with success? The max. towing weight the Astra can pull is 1100kg (85% ruling) and so this is right on the limit. I don't want to change the car and buy a van if I can help it as money is tight.

Priseguy.

 

[Lutz]

Firstly, the 1100kg tow limit is the manufacturer's specification, not the necessarily the 85% figure.

Secondly, you would not be right on the limit because what the manufacturer's specify as the tow limit is not the total weight of the caravan but only its axle load (the difference between the two figures is the noseweight and this does not count towards the towload but as part of the total weight of the car). In other words, if the noseweight is 75kg and the towing limit is 1100kg, then you may tow a caravan weighing 1175kg in total.

 

[mcghee]

Although your Astra is rated at 1100kgs tow load I think you'll find it doesn't weigh much more than that itself. While you could legally tow this 'van your car would be stretched to its limit and if you were ever unfortunate enough that your outfit got out of shape you'd have little to no chance of recovering. If you were very careful with loading and could keep your 'van down to 1000kgs max you'd probably feel a lot happier on the road.

 

[Lutz]

I think you'll find the kerbweight of the Astra 1.7dti estate to be about 1270kg so the weight ratio with the ABI Marauder will not be that unfavourable.

 

[Lutz]

I think you'll find the kerbweight of the Astra 1.7dti estate to be about 1270kg so the weight ratio with the ABI Marauder will not be that unfavourable.

ps: You won't win any races pulling the caravan with the Astra but so long as you make full use of your gears and don't shy from changing down a little more often than usual, you should find the car a capable tug.

 

[Keith_5117602]

I think you'll find the kerbweight of the Astra 1.7dti estate to be about 1270kg so the weight ratio with the ABI Marauder will not be that unfavourable.

Many thanks for all your comments.

Keith