First time towing experiance

[Phil_5115351]

I am a complete novice at caravanning, and having just bought our first van, we gave it a go this weekend. Having never towed anything before, I didn't really know what to expect or if what I experianced was 'normal' or not.

The roads I towed on where country roads which had some reasonable bumps and humps. My car seemed to be pushed all over the place when going over bumps, it felt like we were being shunted down the road. It struggled to accelerate once we were past 40mph.

I was advised on site that because I had connected the stabiliser, the caravan would try and force me to go straight on in corners. I didn't attach this on the way home and it felt slightly better, but I have read people comment on this site that when towing with certain cars ' they didn't know the van was there'! This certainly was not the case!

Is my experiance normal for a first timer?

cheers

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Phil, you need to give more details about the van and your towcar then I'm sure someone will help you :O)

 

[Phil_5115351]

Sorry, I forget to put that its a vectra hatch 2.0 sri and its and old Trophy Platnum 447/4 17ft.

The van supposodly (?) weighs 1125 and my car 1425.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Phil,

To start with, when people say ' you can't tell its there' is really a colloquialism, as soon as you add any additional mass like a caravan to a car you will notice the reduction in acceleration, and probably some of the effects you describe. In general, the larger and heavier the tow car and the lighter the trailer, the less you will notice.

As for your match:

You quote the Trophy at 1125Kg. Is that Maximum Permitted Technically laden Mass-(MPTLM), or is that the empty weight (Mass In Running Order- MIRO) ? If it is only the MIRO, then you must work out or measure the total mass of the caravan when loaded.

My source does not list a Vectra 2.0 SRI, so what follows is not gospel - you will need to check the specific details for your car from your handbook or supplier. However, my source suggests that depending on the model the Vectra has a maximum permitted towed mass of 1200 to 1700Kg depending on year and model.

So your Trophy at 1125Kg is suitable for all Vectra's, but any additional weight may limit the size of vehicle you must use.

All Vectra's seem to have a tow hitch nose load of 75 (up to 2005) 78 for 06 models.

Now for the towing characteristics you describe. There are many things that will affect how an outfit will behave. So as a generalisation you should try to keep heavy items in a caravan as near to the axle as possible. There are some items such as gas bottles and 12v batteries that must be stored and used in their proper positions, but items such as awnings can be repositioned. This can be necessary to achieve the correct nose load.

Having said that it is always wise to minimise the weight of all items you take where possible.

Brakes should be serviced to ensure they work correctly. If they are not adjusted properly the cars brakes will be taking more load than they should and it may well feel as though the caravan is pushing the car.

Check your tyre pressures on both the car and the caravan.

Forgive me if it is obvious to you but driving styles must be different when towing. Generally you must approach towing by giving yourself more time and space. You will not accelerate as quickly, and do not expect the caravan to be as agile around corners as the solo car. Although properly adjusted brakes the car and caravan should be capable of stopping in much the same distance as the solo car, just give your self more time and space.

A well match car and caravan should be capable of keeping to the relevant speed limits without trouble, however Speed is the single biggest factor when outfits become difficult to handle. Always be prepared to slow down a bit. You may need to experiment with how you load the caravan to archive a better tow, but always be mindful of the strict and legal weight limits for the car.

 

[Phil_5115351]

Thanks for the reply John,

I have now booked the caravan in for service and new tyres to be on the safe side. The brakes will also be sorted as necessary. My car is already mechanically sound, and the tyres are inflated correctly - 36psi front and rear.

I think I will be looking for a slightly larger tow car with a diesel engine, hopefully the increased stability will increase my confidence.

 

[GrahamW]

Phil

John L comments

To start with, when people say ' you can't tell its there' is really a colloquialism.

Best piece of advise you could have been given, I tow with a Landcruiser Amazon and I can assure you I know the caravan is attached, even with its imense power an torque you would have to be in some kind of dream world not to know.

I don't think anybody who makes the "dont know its there" claim actually mean it they are just trying to demonstrate how well their car handles the rig.

 

[ThePlotter]

John L ,must compliment you on a good concise reply to the question and would go with all you say,I suspect as I think you do that the van weight quoted is the 'unladen' weight so the match may not be quite so good 1125 seems very light for a 17' van.

 

[CliveV]

I would add the same to John & Grahams points Phil - I tow all sorts with Discovery 3.9L V8 - and I know when I am towing!

Confidence comes with a bit of experience (but don't get overconfident!) and there are some excelent towing cources offered by the CC.

My only thoughts are (and i will probably get "shot at" but what the heck!) that having towed with a Front wheel drive car and found it seriously wanting - you may well be experiencing the same.

Have a look at the interesting Thread on Towcars - "who's got a poor Towcar" - hardly the definative answer I grant you, but you may find some of the posts interesting.

 

[Phil_5115351]

I have a few more comments to add now, as I have just towed the van for caravan for 140 miles on A and B roads this weekend.

I have had some new 8 ply tyres fitted, along with the brakes and towing hitch serviced. I also packed the caravan correctly and it does make a huge difference.

Don't get me wrong though, the car still felt more like a boat over the bumps or when getting near 60mph, but it still felt alot more stable and safe. I was actually impressed with how well it went up hills considering the gradiant of some of them.

But some how I have managed to talk the missus into buying a new car, well second hand one anyway, so I think we will get something a bit more suitable.

Cheers for the help and advice.

 

[ThePlotter]

Glad that your latest trip felt more comfortable but maybe a different tug will complete the solution but why do we blokes have this under the thumb thing of having to persuade the missus that we need new car,do we really do this or do we do it to make them 'think'they have control over us,interesting to hear a few comments on that one.

 

[popupJohn]

Glad that your latest trip felt more comfortable but maybe a different tug will complete the solution but why do we blokes have this under the thumb thing of having to persuade the missus that we need new car,do we really do this or do we do it to make them 'think'they have control over us,interesting to hear a few comments on that one.

Oh its far better to sow a seed of an idea and let the missus mull it over and eventually think it was her idea in the 1st place.

That way you dont get moaned at if it dosnt work out

 

[Phil_5115351]

Oh its far better to sow a seed of an idea and let the missus mull it over and eventually think it was her idea in the 1st place.

That way you dont get moaned at if it dosnt work out

Thats my way of thinking too John!

If I want her to do something, I callenge her betting that cant do. If often enrages her so much that she gets up and does it!

 

[BJ]

If you are new to caravanning (or towing) it is worth looking at the "Practical help" section on the www.caravanclub.co.uk website.

I had a big motorhome for several years before chaging to becoming a tugger. I recommend that you consider a towing course (CC and CCC run them).