Volkswagon Bora 1.8TDi

[colin(bridgend)]

I have posted in the wrong section. My neighbour is now considering the joys of caravanning and is interested in a 4 bearth Bailey with end wash room. He cannot remember the model name. Any observations regarding the suitability of the Bora as a tow car (52 reg. & 6 speed box).

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

We had an X plate Bora 1.9 TDI - sold exactly 2 years ago - and it was fine towing our earlier Eriba Puck L and the newer Triton (1200 kg MPTLM). Golf before that and C270 CDI now (which is a great tow-car).

6th gear was usable on the Motorway - think it was about 1900 rpm at 60 mph - so over the edge of maximum torque. Often saw 40+ mpg towing the Puck L (MPTLM 900 kg).

Performance with the 130 bhp engine was fine, plenty of torque to pull 1200 kg.

The rear over-hang is longer than the Golf, so it doesn't dampen pitching motions as well as a Golf. But the Bora boot is much bigger.

Tow-bar - recommend a Brink or Westphalia swan-neck or detachable - and the tow-ball did seem to get quite dirty with exhaust smoke - which was quite close to the tow-ball. Squeaky ALKO coupling was an irritation if you didn't degrease each time.

Robert

 

[rob_jax]

Continuation ...

Both Eribas had / have a noseweight of 30 kg to 40 kg, the new 1200 kg Triton being lighter on the nose than the Puck L, so can't comment on the ride with a heavy noseweight van.

Robert