Towing with a VW or Merc Van Derived Camper?

[BeemerMal]

Early days but I am considering changing my tow car next year and buying a van derived Westfalia VW or the Mercedes Vanio 2 berth camper to tow our caravan with.

We take our caravan to Spain for 3 months each year and are thinking that once pitched on site we could use the camper for overnight trips to the mountains as well as using it as a day van for the beach etc.

Currently I tow a T/A Abbey Spectrum 535 (MTPLM 1696kg) with a 3.0 diesel X5. Does anyone have experience of using a van derived camper to tow with?

 

[Garfield]

Hi,

I haven't actually towed with a camper but have used my fiat ducato van (no I'm not a pikey!) and found the caravan made less of a difference to the van comparaed to the car as the caravan slipstreamed behind the bulk of the van which was rated to carry 1.4 tonnes so stability was never an issue even though I didnt bother bolting the stabiliser bracket to the van

 

[BeemerMal]

Hi,

I haven't actually towed with a camper but have used my fiat ducato van (no I'm not a pikey!) and found the caravan made less of a difference to the van comparaed to the car as the caravan slipstreamed behind the bulk of the van which was rated to carry 1.4 tonnes so stability was never an issue even though I didnt bother bolting the stabiliser bracket to the van

Thanks Garfield, your comments appreciated

 

[TonyAsh]

We tow our caravan with a VWT4, (Bilbo's), campervan, the combination was decided upon due to our disabled family requirements. The campervan is a 2.5 petrol automatic and it tows like a dream, solid and stable. My wife and I use this combination on occasion without our disabled son and daughter and have travelled extensively through France and Italy. We have used it as BeermeMal suggests by leaving the caravan on site and travelling into the mountains for the odd overnight or shopping etc. The campervan is no larger than a large estate or 4WD but the height has prevented us getting into some carparks - especially around Lake Garda where height barriers are very common. We sleep in it en-route, cook meals and hot drinks ... obviously all these can be done in a conventional setup but we find our setup ideal for us.

 

[GeorgeB]

BeemerMal,

Don't go for the MB Vanio, its based on the A class merc & has a lousey low towing capacity of 1000kg

If you want a merc go for the Vito

 

[Lutz]

.... or the Viano

 

[BeemerMal]

Thanks everyone....it is the Merc Viano or the VW (diesel variants) I am looking at.

(don't know why I typed Vanio in the first place, dyslexic typing maybe!!)

My only concern is that neither will beat the X5 as a day to day driving car but these campers have other advantages that need to be weighed up....her indoors wants an R Class Merc!! Mal

 

[SimonB]

We tow with a VW T5 Caravelle with 2.5tdi 174 bhp and find it tows great, loads of power and very stable.