Vauxhall vectra 1.8sti petrol or astra 1.7 cdti???

[Cate_374453296]

Hi all, having just had my caravan weight confirmed 1060(max loaded)I am wondering what car to tow with.

I have a 2006 vauxhall vectra sri 1.8 it has a kerb weight of 1357 (85% = 1153) tow ball max weight of 78kg.

The 2004 (old style)astra 1.7cdti has a kerb weight of 1205 (85% 1024) and a tow bal max 75kg.

The vectra has a funny clutch in 1st and 2nd gear and often wheel spins when pulling away, also when going up hills often have to drop a gear.

The astra drives with a lot more power than the vectra, pulls away better in 1st and 2nd gear without the wheel spin and you don't need to go up and down the gears as much.

I know the astra would be towing at slighly over the 85% rule, but chances are the van would never be loaded full, as we load up the car at home then pick up the caravan from my dads.

Previously pulled with a frontera and you didn't know the van was on the back so I know that it will be differnt with these cars.

Does anyone have any experience of towing with these or any suggestions of what might be best?

Thanks in advance. Cate

 

[Lutz]

I have a 1300kg caravan which I have towed both with a Vectra 1.8 petrol and a Meriva 1.7 diesel (same engine as in the Astra) and I can say that the Meriva was much more pleasant to drive, despite its lighter weight. I was for ever changing gears in order to coax as much power as possible out of the Vectra.

 

[Cate_374453296]

Thanks Lutz, this was what I was thinking, the vectra just doesn't seem tp pull very well, whereas the astra is much smoother. Will get a towbar on the astra then.

Many thanks Cate

 

[Glenn_5132962]

Both cars will have enough power for your needs so I would put the towbar on the heaviest ie the vectra.