Caravelle 150 ps DSG

[Martin24]

We are looking at possibly changing the D-Max for one of the above which would enable me to drive from the wheelchair, upfront passenger from the wheelchair and generally save swmbo from having to hoik me into the car.

Our mtplm on a twin axle is 1800kg. It is unlikely that we would ever have a van lighter than this.

Anyone any experience of towing with this vehicle? Any useful feedback would be much appreciated, good or bad as it is quite likely this would be my final car and at not far short of 50k it'll have to last a good few years.

 

[Mike_S]

I know it's not a Caravelle but I tow with a 140ps Seat Alhambra with a DSG box which is an absolute delight.
Mike

 

[Martin24]

What weight van Mike?

 

[Hutch]

Hi Martin, my nephew has a 2 year old one, but the caravanette, absolutley lovely, but you would never get into the roof top bed . He does't tow with it but it is lovely to drive with the dsg gear box and 4x4. And a nice good weight, as his has all the stuff concerned with a campervan.

 

[Mike_S]

1500Kg MTPLM Elldis ( Sorry for not having replied sooner - been away!)
Mike

 

[Mike_S]

Perhaps should add that the towing limit for my Alhambra is a whopping 2200Kg!
Mike

 

[Raywood]

The towing limit is only what the vehicle can restart on a 12% hill and has nothing to do with safety. You should never tow more than the cars kerb weight and preferably far less. People get away with it but if they get into a crisis situation that weight could be the death of them.

 

[Martin24]

Don't worry Ray I wouldn't be overdoing it, thank you for the reminder though!

 

[ProfJohnL]

The towing limit is only what the vehicle can restart on a 12% hill and has nothing to do with safety. You should never tow more than the cars kerb weight and preferably far less. People get away with it but if they get into a crisis situation that weight could be the death of them.

Hello Ray,

"A crisis situation" can arise well before the max 100% guidance ratio. It can also happen before 85%. Keeping below the industry guidance is no guarantee of preventing loss of life.

Equally a well loaded caravan towed at over 100% can behave in a perfectly controlled manner.

Whilst I offer this insight I do subscribe to the concept of keeping trailer weights as small as possible is good sense.

 

[Martin24]

Always well loaded here Prof, albeit with slightly dodgy nose weight measuring techniques. :woohoo:

 

[Raywood]

The towing limit is only what the vehicle can restart on a 12% hill and has nothing to do with safety. You should never tow more than the cars kerb weight and preferably far less. People get away with it but if they get into a crisis situation that weight could be the death of them.

Hello Ray,

"A crisis situation" can arise well before the max 100% guidance ratio. It can also happen before 85%. Keeping below the industry guidance is no guarantee of preventing loss of life.

Equally a well loaded caravan towed at over 100% can behave in a perfectly controlled manner.

Whilst I offer this insight I do subscribe to the concept of keeping trailer weights as small as possible is good sense.

Prof, I do appreciate that a crisis can happen at any weight but the higher the ratio the more likely it is so I think the best advice I can give is keep it as low as you can and understand the implications.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Ray,

I do agree that as trailer weight increases the consequences of a loss of stability are likely to be more severe, BUT, it's when you offer this advice you invariably state the industry towing guidance, and then add on the crisis bit.

If a novice tow'er reads it, it gives the impression that sticking to the industry advice will prevent a crisis - which as we all know is not the case, and I think we should be very clear about it.

A crisis can occur at almost any towing ratio, so the weight ratio advice should always be qualified by adding with good loading practice.

 

[Raywood]

Prof, sorry if I make it sound dramatic, but it is just experience with other peoples accidents as a result of work. It may be I have a jaundiced view as I met the people who had a problem more than most.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Prof, sorry if I make it sound dramatic, but it is just experience with other peoples accidents as a result of work. It may be I have a jaundiced view as I met the people who had a problem more than most.

Hello Ray

I appreciate you circumstances, and yes the nature of insurance claims they will usually follow an incident. But even in your experience I'd like to bet the majority of claims where instability has caused a loss are with units that fall within the industries weight ratio guidelines. which makes it difficult to justify the notion that exceeding 100% is significantly more dangerous that being below it .

Most towing incidents will be the result of driver error either in setting up the outfit for example correct loading, or through driving mistakes such as not judging driving conditions space or speed.

Towing any size of trailer does increase the risk of an incident, and yes logically as trailer weights increase the dangers also increase, but there is no fixed match figure where there is a step change in the risk. The emphsis should be to consider all towing is risky.

 

[Martin24]

All good fun but the original thread is what really matters here. :silly:

 

[Hutch]

Hope the testing gos well, and J doesnt find out. Just order a nice bunch of flower for her return.

 

[Martin24]

Hello A,

Awaiting a new proto type vehicle that was launched at Naidex last week as well. Someone actually brave enough not to use a VW as a base vehicle. That's got to be good!

 

[SimonB]

We towed a 2000kg. Twin axle caravan with a caravelle 2.5tdi 174bph . We had it for about 6 years and towed around Europe every year it was a great car.

 

[Martin24]

Oh well we've tried a converted T6 Shuttle SE today and I don't fit, the wheelchair and me in it are too high so that engine and gearbox combo are a no go anyway.

Looks like our only workable alternative is a converted medium wheelbase Sprinter 316cdi so now just waiting for the quotes to roll in. It'll be mated to the 7 speed Mercedes tiptronic. Onwards, upwards and fingers crossed it'll work out okay. It'll only be a 6-12 month wait from ordering

 

[Hutch]

Good luck Martin, It must be a hard slog to get the correct vechile.
H.