Hello from South Devon - NEC in October :)

[George55]

Hello All,

after resisting for years we are now stepping into the seemingly very technical world of caravanning. No unit yet and we are going to be at the NEC as total newbies to ask lots of questions.

I have a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dci which when looking on aites to check what I can tow, all come back with 'sorry, no results found'. Which means perhaps my diesel is too weak to pull any caravan at all?

My V5C gives a max permissible mass of 1930 ( Iassume this is in kg?) and a 'mass in service' of 1514. I'd be very grateful for your advice as to how this translates into kerb weight, nosewheel, X = Y=Z divided by each other and multiplied by......OK I will stop there.

We have so much research to do which seems daunting right now, so if some kind soul could help me establish the kerb weight of my Nissan Qashqai Accenta dci 1461 cc.

We were hoping to look at a single axle 2 or 3 berth Swift as we like their larger showers, but is this an impossible dream with my car?

Many thanks for your advice in advance,
.

 

[Thingy]

www.towcar.info

I chose and older van that I know to be light, a Bailey ranger 500/5. It at least gives an example. Granted the Ranger is a very old model now, but its weight and size could give you a target.

The Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi and the Bailey Ranger 500/5 with a laden weight of 1244 kg is a fairly good match.

Results

The main details in a list. Ideal for comparing different combinations with one another, for example your present with a new one.
Weight
Towing limit
1350 kg
Weight ratio
80%
(laden Caravan / laden Car)
(1244 kg / 1560 kg)
Noseweight
Towball limit
100 kg
Advise
70 kg
Stability
Score at optimal noseweight
6.4
Infuence pay load
42%
Flat roads
Top speed
78 mph (4th gear)
At headwind
71 mph
Speed in practice
72 mph (4th gear)
Acceleration
0 - 60 mph
26.5 sec. - (max. 20.9 sec.)
30 - 60 mph
20.1 sec. - (max. 15.1 sec.)
50 - 60 mph
4th gear: 10.4 sec. (max. 7.1 sec.)
Power at 60 mph
Highest (6th) gear
of limited use (1767 rpm, 86% gas)
Gears in practice
5th gear
4th gear
Revs at 60 mph
2057
2644
Percentage between accelerator
74% - 84%
58% - 66%
Power needed at 60 mph 1531 N
over: 659 N
over: 1240 N
Motorway inclines 1:20
Speed (maximum)
50 mph - (58 mph)
In the
4th gear - (3th gear)
Revs
2203 - (3787)
Acceleration 30 - 50 mph
78.2 sec. - (max. 15.3 sec.)
Normaly at 50 mph in the
4th gear
By revs
2203
Percentage accelerator
99%
By full throttle
Hill starts
Maximum incline
17.9% - 19.9%
Minimum speed (whereby power)
5 mph - (9 mph)
Mountain roads
Maximum slope driving
36.8%
Maximum speed on 1:8
38 mph in the 2th gear

 

[George55]

Thanks Thingy for your very detailed response. Is there a more modern caravan similar in weight to the Bailey Ranger? My search terms must be wrong as I couldn't find an equivalent of 10 or less years old...

 

[audiorob]

Swift Sprite Aline 2 berth would seem to fit the bill media.assets.swiftgroup.co.uk/literature/brochures/caravans/swift/2017-09_2018-08/Swift-Sprite-brochure-Web-2018.pdf
is the brochure link - 1042Kg MIRO and 1208 MPLW which you can check against
www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp?make=Nissan&model1=Qashqai
which gives the kerbweight but also the manufacturer towing limit which you must NOT exceed.

 

[George55]

Many thanks for responding Audiorob - I'll check out the links you kindly provided.

 

[otherclive]

www.towcar.info

I chose and older van that I know to be light, a Bailey ranger 500/5. It at least gives an example. Granted the Ranger is a very old model now, but its weight and size could give you a target.

The Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi and the Bailey Ranger 500/5 with a laden weight of 1244 kg is a fairly good match.

Results

The main details in a list. Ideal for comparing different combinations with one another, for example your present with a new one.
Weight
Towing limit
1350 kg
Weight ratio
80%
(laden Caravan / laden Car)
(1244 kg / 1560 kg)
Noseweight
Towball limit
100 kg
Advise
70 kg
Stability
Score at optimal noseweight
6.4
Infuence pay load
42%
Flat roads
Top speed
78 mph (4th gear)
At headwind
71 mph
Speed in practice
72 mph (4th gear)
Acceleration
0 - 60 mph
26.5 sec. - (max. 20.9 sec.)
30 - 60 mph
20.1 sec. - (max. 15.1 sec.)
50 - 60 mph
4th gear: 10.4 sec. (max. 7.1 sec.)
Power at 60 mph
Highest (6th) gear
of limited use (1767 rpm, 86% gas)
Gears in practice
5th gear
4th gear
Revs at 60 mph
2057
2644
Percentage between accelerator
74% - 84%
58% - 66%
Power needed at 60 mph 1531 N
over: 659 N
over: 1240 N
Motorway inclines 1:20
Speed (maximum)
50 mph - (58 mph)
In the
4th gear - (3th gear)
Revs
2203 - (3787)
Acceleration 30 - 50 mph
78.2 sec. - (max. 15.3 sec.)
Normaly at 50 mph in the
4th gear
By revs
2203
Percentage accelerator
99%
By full throttle
Hill starts
Maximum incline
17.9% - 19.9%
Minimum speed (whereby power)
5 mph - (9 mph)
Mountain roads
Maximum slope driving
36.8%
Maximum speed on 1:8
38 mph in the 2th gear

You been using the towcar.info websitI guess which I have found to be very useful. I like the flexibility of being able to adjust parameters and to look at how the changes affect the result predictions.

 

[Thingy]

Thanks Thingy for your very detailed response. Is there a more modern caravan similar in weight to the Bailey Ranger? My search terms must be wrong as I couldn't find an equivalent of 10 or less years old...

You are welcome. There must be something out there around 1250 to 1300 mtplm. Stands to reason the bigger the van the heavier is, and also the higher the spec usually relates to the weight of the caravan.

I would start by going on the manufacturers website, have a look at a layout you fancy, check the weight and begin to work back.

Do you have children, if not do you need a 4 berth when there are some excellent two berths. Use an awning with a sleeping annex for more bedroom space. You say you like the larger showers, which tend to be found in end bathroom models or a full centre bathroom, which would suggest the latter is far too big and heavy for your car. I for one have never showered in the van, I always use the site facilities.

Also, hit google with the following term
"caravans under 1300 mtplm"