Towbar advice for a Bailey Unicorn Barcelona

[Mandystreather]

Just purchased an ex demo Bailey Unicorn Barcelona and we have a Landrover Freelander 2 td4 and when looked up compatibility for towing the Bailey I am now concerned it's not up to the job.
Does anyone else have a Bailey uni Barcelona and tow with a freelander?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm sorry but its bad news:-

The Bailey web site gives us the following information about the 2015 Unicorn Barcelona. MTPLM 1723kg MRO , 1560kg
THe database I tend to use gives the following details for the Landrover Freelander 2 td4 Weight 1640 kg, Braked Towing Weight 1800 kg, Power 110Bhp, and 260nm torque.

What I cant tell you is the Gross train weight or the Gross Vehicle weight for the LR, but it will almost certainly be over 2000kg.

Based on the raw figures you will have a towing weight ratio of 105% which is much heavier than is recommended for caravan towing. Certainly far too much for a novice tower.

Further even at its minimum weights you will have an outfit of 1640+1560 which = 3200kg and in practice when loaded with passengers and luggage and all bits and pieces will be most likely in excess of 3500kg, which may will give a power to weight ratio of 32bhp per Tonne, which even for a turbo diesel is on the low side.

So from a safety and technical match its poor and I would not recommend it.

I an also concerned that as new caravanners you may possibly have passed your driving test after Jan 1997 when the driving categories on your licence will be restricted to outfits not exceeding 3500kg Combined MAM.

Please check.

 

[MikeyW]

I have a Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 2007 and the details are-
Kerbweight 1820kg
Braked towing limit 2000kg
Gross vehicle weight 2505kg
Gross train weight 4505kg
160 BHP
400 Nm @ 4000rpm

I put it on a weighbridge and it was actually 2020kg.

I pull a 1600 mtplm caravan with ease.

Mike

 

[ProfJohnL]

I have a Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 2007 and the details are-
Kerbweight 1820kg
Braked towing limit 2000kg
Gross vehicle weight 2505kg
Gross train weight 4505kg
160 BHP
400 Nm @ 4000rpm

I put it on a weighbridge and it was actually 2020kg.

I pull a 1600 mtplm caravan with ease.

Mike

Hello Mikey
You can only legally do that if you have B+E on your licence. If you only have Cat B then you are limited to a combined MAM of 3500kg.

If the OP's car is the same as yours and has a GVW of 2505, that means a Cat B licence holder could only tow a caravan with an MTPL of 995Kg or less to keep within the licence limit of 3500.

 

[MikeyW]

Hi John

I completely agree with you. Luckily I have cat. B & E but the op doesn't say if they do or not. I wasn't commenting on their licence, just giving the details for the Freelander 2 that I have which are quite a bit different to the figures you gave. I'm sure the op will check to make sure they are legal in all respects.

Regards

Mike