Hi Lin,
Like all things in life, the answer is "it depends". There are a number of questions & considerations:
- How old is your Vivaro? - if it's 2007 or newer, then you will have the "facelift" model, which although looking very similar to the older one, have more powerful engines & an improved gearbox - some of the older ones had gearbox problems with high mileage.
- Exactly which model do you have? Kerbweights for the 2700 SWB vary from 1670Kg to 1778Kg based on model & engine size.
All Vivaros are rated by Vauxhall as being capable of towing up to 2,000Kg. We pull a 1,300Kg caravan with the 115PS engine & we have no problems. It will pull quite happily on the level in 6th gear from an indicated 52/53mph up-over. We have friends with both the 90PS & the 146PS engines, the 146PS tows like a dream - the 90PS struggles sometimes.
Within limits, I would be less concerned about going over the 85% guideline towing with a commercial vehicle - the airflow over the van & then caravan is very different to that when towing with a car. You will also probably be carrying a much heavier load inside the tug - we have steel cages fitted for transporting dogs, Although they don't look it, they are actully quite heavy.
The one area where we struggled to get good information was for the max nose weight we could tow with. Vauxhall don't publish this - they just say that take the nose weight into consideration with regard to the rear axel loading. The tow bar we had fitted is limited to 80Kg, so that is what we use as our max.
Also be aware of the driving licensing considerations - you will definitely be well over the 3,500Kg limit, so will need B+E license extension or a pre-1997 license.
If there's anything else you need to know, just ask.
Cheers,
Jim
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