Is my car ok for towing this?

[PaulAsserati]

I own a 2003 E46 BMW 320diesel Touring and have just bought a Bailey Pageant Provence. My dealer said they will match perfect but when I asked same question on the BMWland forum I use loads. Some people say that this is too heavy for my car. I am a little worried now as I collect the new caravan in a few weeks.

Can anyone put my mind at rest.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Try whattowcar.com.

It will tell you if you have a good match

 

[jacky3]

3 Series 2003

Compact In production Kerb Weight KG 85% Weight KG Max Ball Weight KG Max Towing Weight KG

320 Td/SE 2003 1470 1250 75 1600

320 Td/SE Auto 2003 1505 1279 75 1600

thats if this is your car

mtplm of van 1420

although its not the best of matches fully laden,and pretty close to 100%(1505=94% match 1470=96% match) it is legal.

 

[MAM]

I've got the same caravan and I tow with an E-Class estate - I'd have thought that the BMW would be too small. I've also got a 3 series and I wouldn't tow the van with that - it just feels too light.

I've never had any problems towing with the merc - the combination of the weight of the car and he fat rear tyres gives me good stability and a confident set-up. I'd be interested to see how you get on with your BM and how it feels at 60 on the motorway.

 

[Gavin1974]

ooh its interesting to hear what people have to say about this, as though some naivety and trusting advice from others we're in a similar situation.

We have an 04 320d tourer and an new ace jubilee aristocrat on order.

Car Kerb weight 1580kg, van MTPLM 1460kg which would give a 92% match.

I struggle to see how we'd would put more than 150kg (no awning & just the two of us) of kit in the van, which would take the weight of the van to 1400kg, giving an 88% match.

MAM - are you concern just with the weight ratio not being within the 85% guideline or dont you think the 320d (150bhp) would have the power to pull the van ?

Knowing what I know now, I think I probable need to consider chaning the car, but realistically that wont happen until next January....so in the meantime we're looking at seasonal pitches and I'm attending a CC club towing course this week and other than that it'll be a case of suck it and see.

Cheers

Gavin

 

[MAM]

Hi Gavin, it's not the power that I would question, it's the weight ratio - and not even the 85% rule.

My 3 series feels light and agile and my Merc feels solid and steady. It's no more than the feeling really but wehn I drive the Merc it feels planted to the road and unmoveable (except in the right direction using the right pedal). I get the sense when towing that the Merc is not going to be influenced to much by the forces on the caravan. The BM just feels a hell of a lot lighter and the thought of having a heavy van on the back would concern me. I don't have a tow bar on the BM so I can't try out this theory.

One point - my 3 series is the coupe - I'm not sure how much heavier (if at all) the estate version is.

 

[Lutz]

It doesn't necessarily have to be just the weight ratio that determines whether a car feels solid or not when towing. There are lots of other factors which also play an important role: Rear overhang (the distance from rear axle to towball), suspension stiffness (hard or soft suspension), lateral compliance within the suspension and tyres (how much the car moves sideways when a force is applied), body stiffness, location of centre of gravity, etc., etc.

 

[ghostrider]

It doesn't necessarily have to be just the weight ratio that determines whether a car feels solid or not when towing. There are lots of other factors which also play an important role: Rear overhang (the distance from rear axle to towball), suspension stiffness (hard or soft suspension), lateral compliance within the suspension and tyres (how much the car moves sideways when a force is applied), body stiffness, location of centre of gravity, etc., etc.

hi tugster

i also have a 320d tourer and tow a 2003 bailey senator twin axle 1359 MIRO i work off the actual laden weight of the caravan, what i do is weigh the stuff i put in the van and what i put in the car with me the wife and two kids plus fishing gear etc the actual percentage works out around 85% my motor pulls this happily all day long but i do drive petrol tankers for a living as well