Towing with a 57 regToyota Corolla Verso 2.2 diesel (1300 gro...

Aug 30, 2009
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I am new to towing a caravan and bought a new Bailey Ranger GT60 500/5 (1316 M.T.P.L.M) this April. There are 4 of us in the car plus luggage. The sales person checked on towsafe and said it was ok, but after 6 trips out I feel the car hasn't the pull it should ! Could anybody help me with advise ? I don't want to buy a new car to pull the van, unless I really have to!!
 

Damian

Moderator
Mar 14, 2005
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According to the what tow car site your outfit comes in at 67%.

However, that does not take account of the number of passengers and luggage.

I do not know what the car is like to drive with 4 passengers and luggage in, but then hang an extra ton or more on the back and something has to give, and it is going to be car performance.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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How do you know what sort of pull the car is supposed to have when you've got over a tonne on the towbar? Surely you don't expect the same performance as when driving solo?
 
Aug 30, 2009
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How do you know what sort of pull the car is supposed to have when you've got over a tonne on the towbar? Surely you don't expect the same performance as when driving solo?
I dont expect the car to move like it does when not towing!! The question is am I pulling trying too much with the car!

Cheers
 
Apr 1, 2009
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Be aware of the nose weight limit on your Verso, we had a 2.2 diesel on a56 plate and changed it for a Honda CRV after a year as the nose weight was very difficult to stick to, i think the nose weight limit on the Verso is 55kg. The CRV has a 100kg nose weight limit so is no problem. Great car in all other respects, but check yoour noseweight on the caravan.
 
Aug 23, 2006
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Had some friends with a Corolla Verso, thinks theirs was 57 plate.

May be wrong but i'm sure they told me it's a 1300kg. max on the tow, 85% figure if you want to use it doesn't count.

Not particularly rated highly as a towcar, so with 4 passengers and a 1316kg van wouldn't think it you would be scorching any roads. They've just traded up to Freeloader.

Tomo
 
Mar 10, 2006
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Scott

I tow a similar weight to you, but with out the passengers and luggage. You don't say what your cars power is, so iam guessing at 221 lb/ft torque, at 2000 rpm?

So performance is not going to be great, all i can suggest is you make full use of the gearbox, keeping revs above 2k, drop a gear before inclines, and try to have a "run" before you get to it.

Economy will suffer, but when i towed with petrol cars with only average power and torque well up the rev range, that is what i had to do.
 
Aug 23, 2006
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Scott

As Ray says you'll need to rev. Years ago there was an article in PC about torque/rev bands when towing.

I was at the time towing a Swift Danette (1971) with a Austin Princess with a 2.2litre 6 cylinder Wolseley engine in.

While layed low with a back injury I worked out the peak torque/revs on the engine and on the next outing tried gear changes to suit. It was an absolute revelation, especially as we were towing through the mountains in Wales.

OK so racing drivers do it all the time but one doesn't as a road driver. Toyota engines are really good so try, Like I say I did and have PC when caravanning ever since.

It's the little tech articles you skim that sometimes prove so useful.

By the way I'v towed with an 2 litre Austin Ambassador as well, if you think your Veros doesn' t pull as it should try that.

Best regards

Tomo
 

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