me and my wife would like to get a caravan something 2 berth for about £1000. however we only have a 1999 v reg 1.6 8v astra would this car be any good for a small caravan?
thanks
thanks
astra
- Thread starter ian_5065696
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The 1.6 8v engine in your particular Astra is very low powered, just 74 bhp - all the other Astras have more powerful engines. The 1.8 Astra mk4 has kerbweights from 1189 kg upwards (85%=1011), a towing limit of 1200 kg and 113/123 bhp (depending on year).
There are plenty of used 2-berths at 1000 kg or under, Avondale still do new ones.
There are plenty of used 2-berths at 1000 kg or under, Avondale still do new ones.
I have towed with a smaller car before, Ian. Providing you can find a small lightweight caravan, you should not have too much trouble using your Astra. Although, not over endowed in the bhp region, it is still a reasonably torquey engine. Your dilemma starts with sourcing your caravan though. As Jim says, there isn't much out there that's reasonable for a grand. Bear in mind though, it is common to start with a cheap van and work your way up as you catch the bug. Try to take someone that is familiar with caravan with you when you buy. Take the advice that is given and don't rush into things. Then let us know how you got on ;o)
Lutz - the towing limit on Vauxhalls doesn't depend on air-con fitment, although it may do for the equivalent Opel models.
The current Vauxhall Astra 1.6 has a towing limit of 1200 kg for the hatch and 1100 kg for the estate. Automatic transmission isn't available on the 1.6 and there's no saloon version in the UK.
The current Vauxhall Astra 1.6 has a towing limit of 1200 kg for the hatch and 1100 kg for the estate. Automatic transmission isn't available on the 1.6 and there's no saloon version in the UK.
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The figures that I quoted are the type approval data published by the GM Europe Technical Centre and therefore apply worldwide to all products, both Vauxhall and Opel. The only difference is that some markets, such as Vauxhall in the UK, have opted not to offer higher than standard towload limits for use on gradients less than what the European directive defines (12%) or for special low build trailers or trailers with particularly low moments of polar inertia.
Reference to the saloon in the data always covers the hatchback, too, as both are considered derivatives of each other.
There are a few special cases covering air conditioning and/or automatic transmission. Where this is not the case in the UK, then these models are probably not offered on that market (such as automatic 1.6's or cars without air conditioning). It was a pity, for example, that Vauxhall never offered the 2.2 litre diesel in the old Zafira. This would have allowed a respectable 1500kg towload (same as the present 1.9CDTI) instead of the puny 1050kg of the 2.0DTI.
Reference to the saloon in the data always covers the hatchback, too, as both are considered derivatives of each other.
There are a few special cases covering air conditioning and/or automatic transmission. Where this is not the case in the UK, then these models are probably not offered on that market (such as automatic 1.6's or cars without air conditioning). It was a pity, for example, that Vauxhall never offered the 2.2 litre diesel in the old Zafira. This would have allowed a respectable 1500kg towload (same as the present 1.9CDTI) instead of the puny 1050kg of the 2.0DTI.
Lutz - I can only go on Vauxhall's published data - I don't have details of differences between these and Opel models. Type approval references will often be different because of minor differences between left and right hand drive.
On Vauxhall models without air-con as standard, there's NO reduction in towing limit if air-con is added as an optional extra EVEN if automatic transmission is also added as an option.
On Vauxhall models without air-con as standard, there's NO reduction in towing limit if air-con is added as an optional extra EVEN if automatic transmission is also added as an option.
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If your data is correct then presumably, to simplify matters and to avoid having 2 specs for one model, Vauxhall have always taken the more conservative of the 2 values. I cannot imagine that Vauxhall would risk allowing a higher towload than what the responsible engineers have specified.
The figures that I have would reflect any differences between left and right hand drive, if there were any.
The figures that I have would reflect any differences between left and right hand drive, if there were any.
A vehicle's importer is responsible for setting limits in their market, although they cannot exceed any technical limits determined by the vehicle's manufacturer.
Since Lutz knows a lot about Opel Europe limits and I know a lot about Vauxhall UK limits, it's clear that there are minor differences - as the importer Vauxhall can decide to be more conservative than the technical limits.
It is possible for UK drivers to take advantage of these higher Opel limits but only by ordering a rhd Opel as a grey import through the Republic of Ireland or Malta. The differences for caravanners (as opposed to other trailer users) are so rare that the hassle of a grey import isn't worth while for GM vehicles.
Since Lutz knows a lot about Opel Europe limits and I know a lot about Vauxhall UK limits, it's clear that there are minor differences - as the importer Vauxhall can decide to be more conservative than the technical limits.
It is possible for UK drivers to take advantage of these higher Opel limits but only by ordering a rhd Opel as a grey import through the Republic of Ireland or Malta. The differences for caravanners (as opposed to other trailer users) are so rare that the hassle of a grey import isn't worth while for GM vehicles.
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You are right, Roger, that each market is responsible for specifying its own towloads. For this reason, it would not be advisable to purchase a right hand drive Opel elsewhere for the purpose of taking advantage of any higher limits than Vauxhall allow without checking with the respective local Opel importer first. It is quite conceivable that Ireland and Malta have different towloads again to both the UK and the German market. On the other hand, as in the case in Germany, it may be possible, under certain conditions, to apply for and get special approval for higher limits so long as the technical limits set by the GM Europe Tech Centre are not exceeded.
ps: There is theoretically nothing to stop anyone purchasing an Opel to German spec but with right hand drive. To my knowledge, there is no restriction preventing this.
ps: There is theoretically nothing to stop anyone purchasing an Opel to German spec but with right hand drive. To my knowledge, there is no restriction preventing this.
There may be no theoretical reason why we can't buy German spec Opels with rhd but there is one insurmountable practical obstacle - no Opel dealer will accept such an order as no GM factory will build such a vehicle!
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A substantial quantity of right drive Astras were built for the Swedish Post Office and there is no reason why they should not be built on special order for any other market. The vehicle plants will build anything so long as no release restrictions are imposed. In fact, the order form for the domestic Opel market even has a box to tick for 'LH/RH drive' although LHD is, of course, always the default value.
I had Lutz and Roger fairly even up until that point, but I think Lutz has just taken the lead by a headlamps length, will there be extra time or do we think "it's all over" now?
All GM plants will build vehicles to special order if the volume is large enough - I was refering to retail customer orders.
The plants can, and will, build anything but only with the approval of the marketing company of the country concerned, within GM Europe.
I can order a rhd Opel from an Irish dealer but it'll be ROI spec. GM dealers in mainland Europe won't accept individual orders for rhd vehicles unless they're UK or ROI spec and even then there's a price premium. As a concession, UK military forces based in Europe can order rhd Opels in other specifications but these orders are strictly controlled and not available to the general public.
Personally, I'd love to be able to order a rhd Opel to the specification of my choice but this simply can't happen.
The plants can, and will, build anything but only with the approval of the marketing company of the country concerned, within GM Europe.
I can order a rhd Opel from an Irish dealer but it'll be ROI spec. GM dealers in mainland Europe won't accept individual orders for rhd vehicles unless they're UK or ROI spec and even then there's a price premium. As a concession, UK military forces based in Europe can order rhd Opels in other specifications but these orders are strictly controlled and not available to the general public.
Personally, I'd love to be able to order a rhd Opel to the specification of my choice but this simply can't happen.
that was very good lol , i couldnt help laughing ,you brought a bit of wit into something which was getting serious
Guys
About five years ago when the price difference between the UK and Continent was massive for cars one dealership; Trade-Sales of Slough (which is a very large nearly new car supermarket) was selling a huge amount of Opel Astras/Vectras etc all in RHD all sourced from either Holland or Denmark.
Now there must be a few of these in the UK second-hand system at anyone point (just look on autotrader)
Monkeys Husband
About five years ago when the price difference between the UK and Continent was massive for cars one dealership; Trade-Sales of Slough (which is a very large nearly new car supermarket) was selling a huge amount of Opel Astras/Vectras etc all in RHD all sourced from either Holland or Denmark.
Now there must be a few of these in the UK second-hand system at anyone point (just look on autotrader)
Monkeys Husband
Monkey - most Vauxhalls have an adequate towing limit and there's little advantage in buying an Opel which may have a slighter higher limit. There are, however, one or two exceptions where an Opel model can be "upgraded" even though the equivalent Vauxhall model cannot.
If anyone wants to research the differences in specification between Vauxhall and Opel models or different country specifications for any manufacturer, to obtain a car which more nearly matches their requirements, that's ok - but 99% of UK car buyers are content to just consider UK specifications.
If anyone wants to research the differences in specification between Vauxhall and Opel models or different country specifications for any manufacturer, to obtain a car which more nearly matches their requirements, that's ok - but 99% of UK car buyers are content to just consider UK specifications.
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The GM Europe engineering data for established towload limits covers all possible build combinations and consequently also any technical differences between of Opels and Vauxhalls but as you said, Roger, actual published limits may be market specific. 'Upgrading' as you put it, therefore has nothing to do with a car being an Opel but whether or not the respective market has seen fit to offer an engineering approved deviation from standard figures.
Ok, time to stand down fellas, the Astra has gone to that great scrap yard in the sky and Ian is on his third car, now towing a twin axle. Let's agree to agree and move onto something more important, like my campaign for moddy 4, ok?
I have to have my Astra serviced not taking it to dealer, price.
But I have to have a new cam belt and tension thing changed, apparently 3 years or 60,000 miles the cost for that little job
But I have to have a new cam belt and tension thing changed, apparently 3 years or 60,000 miles the cost for that little job
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