Towing Car.

[JAMES_5077069]

I am looking at 4/5 berth used caravans. I drive a Honda Civic 1.4. Which caravan would be suitable.

 

[354]

Cant think of any 5 berth vans suitable for your vehicle, You may be lucky and find an old 4 berth. You need to find a van no greater than 85% of the vehicle kerb weight, but a bigger problem is the power output of your vehicle,

 

[JAMES_5077069]

Cant think of any 5 berth vans suitable for your vehicle, You may be lucky and find an old 4 berth. You need to find a van no greater than 85% of the vehicle kerb weight, but a bigger problem is the power output of your vehicle,

Would I need something like a 1.6 car for 5 berth

 

[354]

The smallest I would tow with would be a 1.6, although 1.8 or above is preferable. Small engined cars may just about manage on the level but when it comes to hills you could be strugiling , especialy in start stop conditions. You also want a car which is heavy enough to contro; the van in the event of snaking.

 

[rayc]

Del, most modern 5 berths have MPTLM of 1300kg or thereabouts. Personally I would want a 2l for this, although others may recommend a particular 1800 as being up to the task.

 

[354]

I wouldnt disagree Ray. I personally would be looking for a 2.0+ turbo diesel. What I was refering to was the minimum possible for an older 5 berth which were a bit lighter. But I agree for a modern van you need something with a bit of power. We have a Lexon EB (1300kg) which we tow with a frontera 2.2DTI. It is a perefect match but I wouldnt have anything smaller.

 

[rayc]

I wouldnt disagree Ray. I personally would be looking for a 2.0+ turbo diesel. What I was refering to was the minimum possible for an older 5 berth which were a bit lighter. But I agree for a modern van you need something with a bit of power. We have a Lexon EB (1300kg) which we tow with a frontera 2.2DTI. It is a perefect match but I wouldnt have anything smaller.

Del, sorry if you thought there was some criticism of you reply. I had meant to send it to James as a response to his post and agreed with what you said.

 

[354]

I wouldnt disagree Ray. I personally would be looking for a 2.0+ turbo diesel. What I was refering to was the minimum possible for an older 5 berth which were a bit lighter. But I agree for a modern van you need something with a bit of power. We have a Lexon EB (1300kg) which we tow with a frontera 2.2DTI. It is a perefect match but I wouldnt have anything smaller.

No problems ray, didnt read you reply as critisism, agree with what you say about ,modern weights of vans and power requiered.

 

[Lutz]

Quite apart from any 85% weight ratio recommendation, I think one would have difficulty in finding a big choice of cars with 1.6 litre engines with a permissible towload of 1300kg or more. Off hand, I don't know any. 1200kg seems to be the limit for most.

 

[MickC1]

James

Have you considered a folding caravan? The new Continental by Pennine is a 6 berth and weighs in with a gross weight of only 750 kgs. See the following web page for this and other folders:

http://www.thepenninegroup.co.uk/products/featured-products/the-continental-product.html