- Oct 5, 2017
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Quite correct - I put the wrong numbers in. As you say, it should be and is, 1730.WoodlandsCamper said:
I wondered what the 1 and 2 were for. Nothing I could find to tell me.
My mistake. Apologies.
I wondered what the 1 and 2 were for. Nothing I could find to tell me.
My mistake. Apologies.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Philip,
There is less ambiguity about the cars capability now.
As it stands you preferred choice of caravan Bailey 460/4 (MTPLM 1184kg) with the CX3 1270kg Kerbweight
Legally the caravan is within the cars towed weight limit.
This gives a conventional (MTPLM/Kerbweight) towing ratio of 1184/1270 = 93%. Conventional guidance would suggest this is on the high side for an inexperienced tow'er, but not impossible.
The conventional guidance also suggests that you should look for about 40bhp per Tonne power to enable the outfit to maintain reasonable speed
You quote 120ps = 118bhp divided by 2930kg (GTW) = 40.3bhp per Tonne
Thus on power the outfit would be just in. Most caravanners will tell you that "power isn't everything, and you should be looking at torque", which is more important as its the torque that gets the outfit moving, and you quote us 204NM at 2800rpm.
There is less easy to understand information about torque, but 204Nm is not unreasonable in my view, however it does come at 2800 rpm, which will mean you may find you are doing a lot of gear changes to keep the in the power band. In the past I have driven outfits with less power and torque, In fact most cars in the mid 1960's were petrol and had similar or poorer power and torque figures, so its far from impossible, its just that diesels with similar power and torque would be more relaxing.
Looking at the design of the car it has a relatively small rear overhang and this is actually good for stability when towing. it means that side winds on the caravan will have to push harder to start to move the car off line.
But despite the good points, it would still be operating above the advisory guidance, and very close to its legal limits. Its very easy to underestimate the collective weight of object you choose to take with you and being so close to the limits, it could be easy to inadvertent exceed them.
If you'd had loads of experience as a caravanner, then I'd be more inclined to say give it a try, but on balance I think its not really a good starting point.
Even experience of sailing where stowing items safely is important, you are generally not so concerned about the total weight of items (unless you are racing sailor) Loading a caravan is another important skill that needs to be learned.
There is less ambiguity about the cars capability now.
As it stands you preferred choice of caravan Bailey 460/4 (MTPLM 1184kg) with the CX3 1270kg Kerbweight
Legally the caravan is within the cars towed weight limit.
This gives a conventional (MTPLM/Kerbweight) towing ratio of 1184/1270 = 93%. Conventional guidance would suggest this is on the high side for an inexperienced tow'er, but not impossible.
The conventional guidance also suggests that you should look for about 40bhp per Tonne power to enable the outfit to maintain reasonable speed
You quote 120ps = 118bhp divided by 2930kg (GTW) = 40.3bhp per Tonne
Thus on power the outfit would be just in. Most caravanners will tell you that "power isn't everything, and you should be looking at torque", which is more important as its the torque that gets the outfit moving, and you quote us 204NM at 2800rpm.
There is less easy to understand information about torque, but 204Nm is not unreasonable in my view, however it does come at 2800 rpm, which will mean you may find you are doing a lot of gear changes to keep the in the power band. In the past I have driven outfits with less power and torque, In fact most cars in the mid 1960's were petrol and had similar or poorer power and torque figures, so its far from impossible, its just that diesels with similar power and torque would be more relaxing.
Looking at the design of the car it has a relatively small rear overhang and this is actually good for stability when towing. it means that side winds on the caravan will have to push harder to start to move the car off line.
But despite the good points, it would still be operating above the advisory guidance, and very close to its legal limits. Its very easy to underestimate the collective weight of object you choose to take with you and being so close to the limits, it could be easy to inadvertent exceed them.
If you'd had loads of experience as a caravanner, then I'd be more inclined to say give it a try, but on balance I think its not really a good starting point.
Even experience of sailing where stowing items safely is important, you are generally not so concerned about the total weight of items (unless you are racing sailor) Loading a caravan is another important skill that needs to be learned.
- Oct 5, 2017
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Thanks Prof. I am really grateful for all the helpful advice I have received from this topic.
We are now going to look at a Mazda CX5, that is a lot heavier, and diesel.
As previously said, it will give us an opening for a different caravan in the future - when we (or should I say "I") get used to towing.
Confessional. I have towed before, when I had a Mazda 626 2.0 auto, when I went to pick up a catamaran for my son. The trailer was a four wheeler, borrowed from a steeple-jack firm, and must have weight the best part of a ton before we started!! The catamaran turned out to be four hulls - two for the cat and two to make another. You can guess the struggle the 626 had on hills! Keeping off main roads, we kept clear of plod. Never again.
We are now going to look at a Mazda CX5, that is a lot heavier, and diesel.
As previously said, it will give us an opening for a different caravan in the future - when we (or should I say "I") get used to towing.
Confessional. I have towed before, when I had a Mazda 626 2.0 auto, when I went to pick up a catamaran for my son. The trailer was a four wheeler, borrowed from a steeple-jack firm, and must have weight the best part of a ton before we started!! The catamaran turned out to be four hulls - two for the cat and two to make another. You can guess the struggle the 626 had on hills! Keeping off main roads, we kept clear of plod. Never again.
- Oct 12, 2013
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hmy: did you say diesel or is that a typing error !! excellent go for it , next you'll be coming back saying yous are wanting a bigger caravan ! Good luck
Craig .
- Oct 5, 2017
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Please..... one thing at a time :cheer:
Yes, we are getting a CX5 front wheel drive 2.2ltr diesel Instead of 1200kg, we can now go to 2000kg tow.
Much as I didn't want a diesel, I have to go with the advice from this site, and go for torque.
As has been said, we now have a better range of caravans we can look at. I still think we will go with a Bailey, as the local caravan outlet is a Bailey agent - though our neighbour has just got a new Lunar.
Yes, we are getting a CX5 front wheel drive 2.2ltr diesel
Instead of 1200kg, we can now go to 2000kg tow.Much as I didn't want a diesel, I have to go with the advice from this site, and go for torque.
As has been said, we now have a better range of caravans we can look at. I still think we will go with a Bailey, as the local caravan outlet is a Bailey agent - though our neighbour has just got a new Lunar.
- Oct 12, 2013
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Local ? :blink: what does that mean ! Ours was 50 miles away where we got ours from and we only went into buy a fan and came out with a van ! At least you're going to have the chance to look at some variety and different specs now - ( and weights )
Happy hunting and enjoy
Craig .
Happy hunting and enjoy
Craig .
- Aug 23, 2009
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We have two Bailey dealers locally.
One with an appalling reputation for everything so best avoided. The other that we purchased from and will not be returning to as their after sales service was dreadful. IF we change again and IF we have another Bailey we'll be looking outside of E. Yorks
One with an appalling reputation for everything so best avoided. The other that we purchased from and will not be returning to as their after sales service was dreadful. IF we change again and IF we have another Bailey we'll be looking outside of E. Yorks
- Oct 5, 2017
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Our local caravan dealer is about 15 miles away. They seem to have a good reputation. They were very helpful when we called in there a few weeks ago.Craigyoung said:Local ? :blink: what does that mean ! Ours was 50 miles away where we got ours from and we only went into buy a fan and came out with a van ! At least you're going to have the chance to look at some variety and different specs now - ( and weights )
Happy hunting and enjoy
Craig .
Today, we went to have a look at a CX6 and came away having bought one.
Now we can start looking for a caravan. They have new and second-hand caravans of different makes. So a good place to start.
We are way down in far south-west Cornwall. Not a county were you can do a round trip. One way in and one way out.
At least Plymouth is nearby for the continent.
- Oct 5, 2017
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We do, it is!! They even make us pay to get into their country and we let them in for free! :lol:
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. We pick up the CX5 in November - it is on its way from Japan.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. We pick up the CX5 in November - it is on its way from Japan.
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