small vans as towcars???

[maxtherotti]

hi all does anyone have any experiance of how a mercedes vito/vw transporter are as tow cars with a 1900kg twin axle van?

im looking at the older model of both up to about 2002 ish ahe wise

thanks rob

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Rob,

I have no experience of the VITO/VW vans but I have towed with Peugeot Boxer. The experience was very good as towing goes, I am sure the weight of the Boxer with its stiffer suspension, and the relatively sort rear overhang meant the caravan behind was barely noticeable, it certainly did not give any indication of instability, or the caravan pushing the van around.

The only three things I would note, The van had a shock absorbing hitch fitted (I thing it was a Dixon-Bate device some caravan manufactures will disallow guarantee claims where commercial vehicles are used to tow without a shock absorber). The vehicel needed a tachograph, and the engine and road noise in the cab was much more than most cars.

 

[Steve L]

Vitos & type 4 transporters make good tow tugs and being simlar in size to a large estate car, parking etc is simples.

An ex AA transporter will have all the grunt for towing as the engines are top spec. Also you get a crew cab thrown in for free. You might want to factor in a paint job or even a catchy vehicle wrapping. Pop down to your local vehicle sign writer and see what they can offer. Edd China done a wrap on wheeler dealers and I thought it was an excellent way of getting a realy funky custom decor job on a basic van.

One point you might need to consider is that a lot of sites don't like to allow commercial vans to park alongside the caravan. I guess they are waiting for the churn to pop out. Know what I mean?

But a tastily decor'd crew van should look ok especially if it looks holiday like.

Steve L.

 

[MarkE]

Careful... a van being used as a tow car? Surely you will have people coming at you with pitchforks when you drive on to a site?

 

[maxtherotti]

lol i know that is a slight issue but i will get one with windows all round and big alloys so wont look too pikey i hope!!!!!!

 

[david_374241885]

I would be very wary about towing with a van ,A lot of camp sites do not allow them .The same as a lot of shows and steam fairs will not allow them on there camp sites.Only traiders are allowed vans at most of the events that I go to.

 

[JimD1]

We are into dog agility. Most of the weekend shows from March to October are outdoor & include camping/caravanning. On any weekend, there will be up to 300 caravans, with 90% plus towed by light vans - Vauxhall Vivaros, VW Transporters, Citroen Dispatches, Renault Trafics. Nissan Primastars, Peugoet Experts as well as Merc Vitos & others (the only exception seems to be that there are very few Transits). All are plain vans - no signage. Most have had quite expensive converions done internally to carry dogs safely in cages.

We've just started carvanning & tow with a Vauxhall Vivaro. So far we've only booked 2 sites for this year - most of our weekends will be taken up caravanning at agility shows. Both sites are C&CC CS's. On both occasions I phoned the site & explained that we would have 3 border collies, & consequently tow with a caged van. I know that statistically it's a very small sample (2), but on each occasion the site owners couldn't have been friendlier or more accepting of us.

Jim

 

[Ian_374404196]

Hi Rob

I too am involved in dog agility and can agree with the previously stated views. I have towed with 4x4's in the past and VW and Renault vans for 10 years or more and have never been refused access to a site but have always rang in advance and discussed with the site or CL.

I currently tow with a 2005 Renault Traffic 140 LWB. I have towed Lunar Delta's with this van and currently tow an 09 Wyoming.

My Renault has covered 50k miles and I would say at least 40k of those have been towing. I can say with confidence that they make supperb tow vehicles and I've never encountered any problems.

The turbo diesel and 6 speed box make short work of most situations and with the space in the van you'll have no problem finding a home for the wet awning, bikes and other paraphernalia vital to caravan life??

I also had no problems towing with the vw's but if you're going for an older model make sure it's a turbo.

Hope this helps.

Ian

 

[maxtherotti]

well looks like i need to give this alot of thought then

my disco tows brilliantly as have fitted hd suspension and tuned up the tdi engine with bigger intercoolers etc so it copes very well and with a 3500kg tow limit i know it is no problem with a loaded caravan on the back and it weighs 2350kg where as the t4 transporter is only 2000kg tow weight but the van only weighs 1800kg so i could end up with the tail wagging the dog as it were

hmmmmm max might have to live with being a bit cramped maybe

rob

 

[Garfield]

In my experience a Fiat ducato was very much more stable than a 92 Discovery, towing a 1600kg boat + trailer ( but cr*p at pulling it up a slipway) also Our Ford Smax is more stable than our Ford Transit with a 1600kg T/A on the hook.

I wish there were more 4wd MPVs avaialble, I would consider that the VW Caravaelle/ transporter 4motion (4WD) must be awesome towcars with massive loadspace and 4wd.