Autocruise alto towing a swift challenger se 630
- Thread starter Mikaroony
- Start date
- Nov 11, 2009
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When looking at motorhome towing details you might be better visiting a motorhome forum. Swifts website shows MTPLM for Autocruise models of between 3300kg and 3500kg so with a 130bhp engine they might be underpowered when fullly loaded and then assked to tow a caravan of the type suggested in your post. Swift give no technical details regarding towing on the Autocruise website, so perhaps an email to Swift would be best then you can obtain the accurate towing spec for the autocruise of interest to you. The Challenger SE 630 is a current MTPLM of 1800kg so its a fair old lump and an ordinary towcar with only 130bhp might be a bit underpowered. A Series 2 Disco, or Sorento have the kerbweight and torque but from experience with both you would need to be patient on your journeys.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Realistically with only 130bhp on tap the Autocruise would struggle to tow such a van, although I suppose that between the Autocruise and van they wouldn't both be at MTPLM. But I surmise as once again the OP has just fed a question into the forum with scant evidence of any thought or research behind it.
I dont think it would be as slow as people think.For a start its probably geared to do 80ish mph flat out.Very surprising.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Noted but a Disco 2 or firts generation aren't exactly rocket ships and having towed with both I really cannot see an Autocruise and a 1900 kg MTPLM van to be a very good combination. The Swift van conversion handbook shows the Alto has a 2500kg tow weight at 3500 kg MTPLM with certain restrictions on axle loads. It's all there a 6000kg train on a 130 bhp engine would be a slow combination despite lower gearing and torque output. Here's the link
130 hp in a van is one hell of a tool.For the last 2 years we,ve been on a re-powering job.Which basically involves taking a fresh engine out,fitting and commishining the installation and returning with the old unit for refurb.Each engine wieghs in at 1750kg,750kg for the trailer,van wieghs in at 3000kg.Total of 5500kg.Was towed by iveco daily 29 L 9 until earlier this year when it was replaced for a new vehicle.The said vehicle was supposed to have 90hp,in the real world more like 70hp.It never struggled once,yes it did slow down on serious hills out of Norfolk but nothing major.I tryed the other two vans as a compasion,29 L 12 and a 35 S 14 and to be honest there was not alot of difference to the point were i,d say the new one,with the most power was the worst out the lot.Vans do seem to pull better with alot less power.
- Nov 11, 2009
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- 8,105
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1750kg for the engine, is that correct? My Sorento and Disco2 had 138bhp 4 cylinder engines in a vehicle weighing about 2200 kg. so even allowing for ruggedisation 1750 kg seems a lot. On that basis the engine in an Autocruise Alto would weigh 50% of the MTPLM and well over half of its kerbweight.
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