Evening quick car question

[haserobert123]

This is the year I have decided to convince the Mrs that we should be getting a caravan.

I need to select a new company vehicle I have my eye on a Mazda Cx-5 2.2L diesel.
It has a kerb weight of 1628kg nose weight of 88kg, giving me a toe load allowing for 85% of 1383kg. I have been looking at caravans under 1350kg MTPLM and there seems to be a good choice for larger 4 berth or 6 berth options.

I do not intend to purchase a caravan until towards the end of the year, I wish to visit sites talk to people and review and learn as much as i can then go for it.

So the question is I want to order my car,,, am I doing the right thing with the Mazda Cx-5??

Many thanks

 

[seth1]

You need to find someone with first hand experiance.Without any danger there has been serious engine problems,oil dilution through dpf regens,engines making oil,engines failing.This now has been rectified according to Mazda.As for the credentials,it would appear perfect for towing.

 

[Hutch]

Hass, this thread has been a bit slow to start for you. Dont worry it will hopefully. I took over a year to find the correct caravan to suit my car, I didnt quite stay to the "nice" 85% theory. I am sure others will pick up on your question and give some advice.
Hutch.

 

[Martin24]

Practical Caravan did a video review on the CX5 in 2012 and it's on youtube. I think it was quite positive towards the vehicle and its towing abilities. There may of course have been changes made since then that could be positive/negative where towing is concerned. If there is anything else on your hit list it may be worth popping them on the thread as people may have more experience of them over the Mazda.

 

[NigelHutson]

The CX-5 2.2 175ps version was a Class winner at last year's (2015) Tow Car Awards. great tow car!

You can see the video here - http://www.thetowcarawards.com/winners/2015/

Nigel.

 

[Raywood]

The car is an excellent tow car but the early diesel engine may be flawed but the numbers are small but it is serious if you have the wrong one. It depends on the age and mileage as to whether you should keep it.

 

[haserobert123]

Hi thanks all for the replies, I guess my main concern will the car be good enough, I have seen the review on the 175 bhp model mine will be 150bhp
The car will be brand new
Kerb weight 1628kg
Nose weight on tow bar 88kg
150 bhp
Will this give me enough bang ??

 

[Sproket]

Hi thanks all for the replies, I guess my main concern will the car be good enough, I have seen the review on the 175 bhp model mine will be 150bhp
The car will be brand new
Kerb weight 1628kg
Nose weight on tow bar 88kg
150 bhp
Will this give me enough bang ??

Remember you going to tow a big white box not attempting take off

On another note my truck is only 130bhp pulling 1600kg with a train weight of between 4250 - 4500kg depending on how much gear we take ....

 

[Martin24]

Very much in agreement with my King. I think that'll be plenty of oooomphhhhh.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I down sized from 150 PS to 130 PS and noticed the difference on motorway gradients, being lazy didn't like changing down to 5th gear so 18 months later I've up sized. I wanted 150 PS again but could only get 170 PS. :lol: but I've yet to tow with it.

As the others have said if you don't mind changing gears then 130 bhp will be OK, or perhaps you are getting an automatic.

 

[Hutch]

I had a 2008 sante fe 154 bhp, cant remember the torgue but it was ok for pulling my 1600kg van I now have the 2014 Santa fe with 194 bhp and about 335 ft lbs of torque, more than adeqate for my 1600kg van. Its the torque you need for towing not the BHP.

Hutch

 

[MichaelE]

Alot of new cars have gearing adapted for economy now not towing , so although you might have a more powerful car it may not pull the caravan as well?

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi Weve a 2.2 turbo Toyota it is about 135 BHP we've been caravanning for Nearly three years I think ha ha and we haven't had any problems pulling our caravan it's lightweight I must say but nevertheless fully loaded and a full car and loaded caravan the combination is good and pulls No bother

 

[seth1]

The best way is to take a look at the torque curve.See were the torque is delievered,and then see what that equates to in road speed in maybe top gear or 5th gear.Its fine people saying how much torque their engines have,but try getting the engine to deliever it.

 

[MichaelE]

Very true, peak torque maybe upper limit of the rev range at optimum cruising speed for better economy? To get there using shorter gear ratios.
Thats why remapping cars ecu is popular to get the engine to run better in the real world.

 

[JonnyG]

I had a 2008 sante fe 154 bhp, cant remember the torgue but it was ok for pulling my 1600kg van I now have the 2014 Santa fe with 194 bhp and about 335 ft lbs of torque, more than adeqate for my 1600kg van. Its the torque you need for towing not the BHP.

Hutch

not entirely true, you really need the torque lowdown in the rev range, having maximum torque at 4000rpm is of little use and with lowdown torque, you actually get more of your cars BHP available earlier too ..

 

[Hutch]

JonnyG, sorey mate I didn' t quote RPM, max torque on the Santa fe is at 1800 RPM max BHP is at 3800 RPM. .Petrol engines as I am sure you known have different Torque/ BHP / RPM figures.
Hutch.