Astra Coupe 2.0 Turbo does anyone tow with one???!!

[Susan_5090567]

Can anyone help! I have currently have a hurricane GT that I tow with a my Xreg 2.0l Mondeo, I am looking to change it for something a little more exciting! So I trawled though back issues of Pract Caravan and found an article for the 2000 onwards astra 2.0 Turbo and 2.2 Coupes - which they raved about. However, having researched it, it appears the manufacturer does not recommend towing for these cars and I can't find a towbar!!!

Does anyone else have either of these as a towcar and if so encountered any problems please?

 

[RogerL]

The Astra Coupe 2.2 has a kerbweight of 1223kg manual or 1253 auto. In both cases the towing limit is 1400kg, and noseweight limit is 75kg. The Coupe uses exactly the same towbar as the Mk4 Astra hatch and saloon BUT if it has lowered suspension it won't be homologated for towing at all, which may exclude some Turbo models.

 

[Lutz]

.... and the current model 2.0 Turbo (available in manual only) has a maximum towload of 1500kg.

 

[RogerL]

"the manufacturer does not recommend towing for these cars" - I don't know where you get that impression from.

Astra Mk4 tow-bar approvals (hatch/saloon/coupe - not estate/van) are E1 00-0488 or E1 00-0486

 

[RogerL]

Towsure list the VX344 as suitable for "Astra Hatchback & Saloon 1998- & Coupe 2000- (Not ECO4)"

Brink have the 2924 available which will suit hatch, saloon and coupe.

 

[Susan_5090567]

"the manufacturer does not recommend towing for these cars" - I don't know where you get that impression from.

Astra Mk4 tow-bar approvals (hatch/saloon/coupe - not estate/van) are E1 00-0488 or E1 00-0486

Ok, thanks for your help. I've actually been down to the local Vauxhall garage and they found out an old sales brochure from when the coupes were new in 2000. In there they state the models with 17 + 18 inch alloys are not suitable for towing ie the models i am interested in and which was tested in Practical caravan, which confused me.

The only thing we can think the reason is the alloys are not up to the extra weight as it says you can tow with the 1.6 (which is the only model with 16 inch wheels). Don't know. Thats why i thought I would see if anyone else had one!

 

[Lutz]

Just a note for something to watch out for:

Turbo Coupes prior to chassis number 2B0007164 (date: 24.01.2002) and with 215/40-R17 tyres are not approved for towing.

 

[Allan_5090746]

Hi Susan, we tow our swift challenger 500 with an astra 2.2 cabriolet - we are not convinced its the correct match. The weight is our main concern. It tows fine ie Pulling and stability BUT I worry that we are too close to 100% match... we are thinking of getting a chelsea tractor (but keeping the astra)

Regards

Allan