Kerb Weight Match

[Eddy_374236791]

I am an avid fan of Vauxhalls especially the Vectra for good towing, however it is proving difficult to find an economical, environmentally friendly and stable matched outfit for our recently purchased Abbey Vogue 215 GTS (2000 model - 1279kg. I was assured that my exisiting 2.0 DTI Vectra Hatch (W reg - 1300kg) would be ok for towing it, which so far has managed to tow ok.

On looking to renew my car in February I checked out the kerb weights of some Vauxhalls as a towing match for our Abbey (WhatTowCar.com), a 2004 2.0 DTI Vectra Hatch (1365kg) and 2.0 DTI Zafira (1503kg), to my shock and horror realised that I may have been towing illegally, I did not consider that the caravan mover (axle attached) would have an effect on the MIRO until now. The match was quoted as 98% for the Vectra without the caravan mover attached. Therefore, as a word of warning to others who purchase used tourers with added equipment, it may be worth checking the actual weight of your caravan and car at a weigh bridge to ensure 'it does what it say's on the tin'.

I also found it strange that the Kerb weight of the Zafira is higher than the Vectra but according to WhatTowcar.com and Parkers buying guide the Zafira can only tow a caravan of 1050kg, is this correct or is there a valid reason?

Therefore, going green may not be an option for us as I may have to upgrade to a gas guzzling 2.2 DTI. Vectra or Zafira, unless you know different?

 

[Terry_5112949]

I also use a Vectra 2.0 DTi 02reg (old shape)it has a kerb weight of 1420kg, the 85% advisory max tow weight is 1207kg, my van has a max weight of 1100kg so Im towing at less than 85%. I`m quite happy with the performance and fuel consumption. I did consider the Zafira 2.0 DTi but was put off it by the low towing capacity, I was told this was due the engine cooling don`t know how far this is true. I`m happy with my outfit

 

[Lutz]

Only the old Zafira 2.0DTI had such a low max. towload. All the others (except the 1.6 petrol which I presume few use as a towcar anyway) have higher towloads. The current Zafira diesel is, in fact quite respectable at between 1200kg (1.8 manual petrol & 1.9 100hp diesel) and 1500kg (2.0 and 2.2 petrol & 1.9 150hp diesel).

 

[cooky1]

Make sure you check the weights of both your van and car in the handbooks. My car is actually heavier than WhatTowcar.com states. I think this may have something to do with the data being for European spec cars.

Graeme.

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

i would deffinately check the 04 vectra details.i have an 05 cdti hatch which the vauxhall 2005 brochure quotes a kerb weight of 1532.the same brochure quotes the 2.0dti hatch at 1470-1491kgs depending on spec.

i had a 2.2dti vectra 02 new shape a couple of years ago and had so much trouble when towing i got rid after about 5 attempts by the dealer to fix it.apparently it was a common fault with the turbo and it only happened when the engine was under high loads,ie towing.my advice is to avoid it like the plague!

hope this helps

dave

 

[Royston]

Hi Eddy,

I have a vectra estate 2.2 dti diesel 51 plate old shape with a max towing weight of 1400 kg . Never had the slightest problem towing, our van is just under 1200kg, fuel averages arond 27 to 30 mpg when towing , my only moan is the towball weight of 75kg

which means I have to very carefull when loading the van.

Royston

 

[Lutz]

I'm a bit surprised at apparent concern about discrepancies between published kerbweights between 1470kg and 1532kg. That's only 62kg which is hardly going to make any difference in towability and it's a lot less than car-to-car production fluctuations due to manufacturing tolerances and differences in equipment. As likely as not the actual kerbweights will be higher than any published data anyway.

 

[cooky1]

Lutz, I think it's to do with how comfortable people feel when they work out their car/caravan weight ratio. The discrepancies in the car kerbweight can make the tow ratio vary from say 80% to 90% and I think this may cause some people concern. If people like to stick to the 85% guideline then they may feel uncomfortable if the ratio goes up to 90%. I, like yourself (I think) don't worry too much about the exact ratio.

Graeme.

 

[Lutz]

The 85% is, after all, only a guideline and like I said in another thread, purely arbitrary. All other factors being equal (which in most cases they aren't but to keep things simple let's say they are) nobody is going to notice any difference between 83% and 87%. There is a tendancy of splitting hairs as far as the 85% recommendation is concerned.