Can anyone help me, i would like to tow a 1250kg van with a citreon c4 paccaso 1.6 hdi but some websites say it can tow that and some dont does anyone no if this is a good tow car before i buy.
Thanks
Thanks
Tow car
- Thread starter Benny123
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- Mar 14, 2005
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Benny123 said:
Hello Benny,
Before anyone can make a truly informed post about your question, we will need to know some precise deatails about your car, it's year, it's power output, and it's Gross Train weight , gross vehicle weight, (both found on the cars data plate.
Hi there!
As others have said, the engine, power output, spec and weight of the car will all be contributing factors. A few pieces from our website that might help you:
Hope that helps.
As others have said, the engine, power output, spec and weight of the car will all be contributing factors. A few pieces from our website that might help you:
- Citroën tow car reviews
- Advice about outfit matching
- Tow car reviews from our Tow Car Awards website
Hope that helps.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Quite simply I cannot identify your exact car from the information you have supplied. Good towing performance is not just about weights, there are several other factors that need to be considered, but they are model specific. I cannot give you an answer without having all the facts I've asked for.
Citreon have produced many different versions of the C4, some will use the same sized engine but have it tuned to produce different power out puts. Even the trim level (eg, s, gte gl etc.) cam make a difference.
The grass train weight and the gross vehicle weight are stamped on the cars data plate.
Whist cars do have a maximum braked towed weight which is a legal limit, that is for an ideal trailer, and sadly caravans are far from ideal. In recognition of that, the caravan industry recommend that the MTPLM of a caravan should not exceed 85% of the tow cars kerb weight. It is only guidance but it is a sensible starting point, and of course you must also keep within the cars legal specifications, which might already be less.
Citreon have produced many different versions of the C4, some will use the same sized engine but have it tuned to produce different power out puts. Even the trim level (eg, s, gte gl etc.) cam make a difference.
The grass train weight and the gross vehicle weight are stamped on the cars data plate.
Whist cars do have a maximum braked towed weight which is a legal limit, that is for an ideal trailer, and sadly caravans are far from ideal. In recognition of that, the caravan industry recommend that the MTPLM of a caravan should not exceed 85% of the tow cars kerb weight. It is only guidance but it is a sensible starting point, and of course you must also keep within the cars legal specifications, which might already be less.
As what lizziepope said i looked up the car and it says the maxium gow weight for that is 1300kg which my van is 1250kg so will this be ok
- May 7, 2012
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You need to know the cars kerb weight. If you are experienced at towing then it is permisable to tow above the 85% figure but I would not go a lot over 90%. The kerb weight therefore needs to be at least 1350 or preferably more if you are experienced and at least 1400 if you are a newcomer.4.
Without knowing exactly which engine you have as they may depend on the year and can be in different tune levels I would have to say a 1600 diesel will probably be fairly low on power for the job and will certainly be no ball of fire and will manage rather than be on top of the job.
Without knowing exactly which engine you have as they may depend on the year and can be in different tune levels I would have to say a 1600 diesel will probably be fairly low on power for the job and will certainly be no ball of fire and will manage rather than be on top of the job.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Benny123 said:
Hello again Benny,
Yes in terms of weights the caravan you have suggested has an MTPLM of 1250kg which is less than the cars stated maximum towed weight limit of 1300kg, BUT you seem to have ignored the other parts of the advice that has been given. The fact is whilst the weight of the caravan may be within the cars stated specification for towed weights, caravans are not ideal trailers, and as such they present a much bigger challenge to the car than just the the dead weight.
Caravans are big and boxy, which means they have a lot of surface area which reacts to side winds, and bow waves created by other vehicles as you pass. These aerodynamic effects can have a marked influence on the ability of a car and caravan. If the caravan is too big, it can cause the whole outfit to become uncontrollable resulting in an accident. These are matters the caravan industry recognise which is why they make the recommendation to keep the weight of a caravan less than the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, in fact they suggest the the MTPLM of the trailer divided by the Kerbweight of the car should be less than 0.85 or 85%
This is why I asked for all the details so we could be better able to offer good advice.
I also have another important concern. and that is if you have checked your driving licence entitlements to see what you can drive and tow. There have been some critical changes over the years to category B which is the category that governs cars and caravans. In your case you may find that if the MTPLM of you caravan exceeds the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, you may not be licenced to tow it. It all depends on when you passed your driving test.
Please don't ignore my post.
Edit - I have just looked up some information about C4 Picasso's and there are concerns about its light weight, which would have a direct bearing on the licence requirements needed to tow with it, and the way its maximum towed weight limit is reduced when you start to load the car.
Hello i didnt ignore the post, i didnt buy the car as you are right the reviews on its tow is not that good and says because of power it wont be strong enough.
I have looked up about licences and i can tow a combination of 3500kg but the car obveusly has to weigh more.
If i am wrong please correct.
I will not be rushing into this as i no i need to do my research and then experience the driving for good.
I will be looking at a 1.9 tdi passat as they have good reviews for towing.
I have looked up about licences and i can tow a combination of 3500kg but the car obveusly has to weigh more.
If i am wrong please correct.
I will not be rushing into this as i no i need to do my research and then experience the driving for good.
I will be looking at a 1.9 tdi passat as they have good reviews for towing.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Benny123 said:
Hello Benny,
I can only repeat we are unable to comment about a vehicle in detail unless we have full details. Make Model Year, , trim level, fuel type, engine size, power output, Unladen weight, Gross vehicle weight, Gross train weight, and similarly for the trailer.
As for what you can drive on your licence again we need the year you passed your test, as specifically the weight ratio of trailer allowed changed. Sadly it is a complex issue so if you want our help, you must help us with these details.
As fro teh Passat, generally a good car, but VW were especially noted for using the same engine block in different levels of tune so in its weakest from it might be as low as 90bhp, but in its highest state of tune 170bhp. so again I must stress if you want our help you must tell us the details.
- Feb 28, 2017
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you do need to very Careful on this Benny. i made some very costly mistakes setting out!
in simple terms you need to look at the maximum permissible weight of the caravan. (thats the weight of the van fully loaded) and The maximum permissible weight of the car (The weight of the car fully loaded with passengers and luggage) It will be on the log books or a quick google serch.
Its amazing how close to 3500kg you run,
You then need to ensure the weight of the van doesnt really exceed 85% of the weight of the car (not a legal requirement but if you have only been driving 3 years, and never towed, i would stick to it as a rule!)
and then look at Nose weight limits on the car,
I ended up buying a what i thought was a 1350 van (didnt realize MTPLM was 1510) then found out my car wouldn't toe it (98% match as i had worked it out based on 1350) then had to change my car to something that had the weight to pull it. In this case, to get a good match i had to have a car that took the combined over 3500 (as it only allowed 2000 for the car which fully loaded, isnt a big car really) and then had to the B+E test. (Which took me 3 attempts!)
I would also advise, what ever you do, its worth having some tuition on towing. I thought i would have been fine (im a very confident driver of 17 years and 30k+ miles per year) but even after tuition for the test, it was still a bit of shock actually towing the van! (And I am in a very, very capable car!)
Keep using the folk on this forum, they have been been a god send for me!
best of luck
in simple terms you need to look at the maximum permissible weight of the caravan. (thats the weight of the van fully loaded) and The maximum permissible weight of the car (The weight of the car fully loaded with passengers and luggage) It will be on the log books or a quick google serch.
Its amazing how close to 3500kg you run,
You then need to ensure the weight of the van doesnt really exceed 85% of the weight of the car (not a legal requirement but if you have only been driving 3 years, and never towed, i would stick to it as a rule!)
and then look at Nose weight limits on the car,
I ended up buying a what i thought was a 1350 van (didnt realize MTPLM was 1510) then found out my car wouldn't toe it (98% match as i had worked it out based on 1350) then had to change my car to something that had the weight to pull it. In this case, to get a good match i had to have a car that took the combined over 3500 (as it only allowed 2000 for the car which fully loaded, isnt a big car really) and then had to the B+E test. (Which took me 3 attempts!)
I would also advise, what ever you do, its worth having some tuition on towing. I thought i would have been fine (im a very confident driver of 17 years and 30k+ miles per year) but even after tuition for the test, it was still a bit of shock actually towing the van! (And I am in a very, very capable car!)
Keep using the folk on this forum, they have been been a god send for me!
best of luck
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