Please can anyone help, during the last month we have bought a Eldiss Crusader Superstorm 26' twin axle. The MTPLM weight of this van is 1900kg, sticking to the 85% rule the towing vehicles MTPLM has to be at least 2235kg. Until two weeks ago we did have a Mitsubishi Pajero LWB 2.8 but sadly someone wrote it off in a car accident,(fortunately not our fault and no real injuries just a lot of damage). We have been offered £5000 for it but its worth closer to 6. The chassis has been buckled so we dont want it back, however were not sure what other vehicles are available to us considering our caravans weight. We were happy with the Pajero but our local japanese import garage where we bought the first one have told us that the market in Japan for these vehicles has dried up. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!
Which car can tow a caravan with a MTPLM weight of 1900kg?
- Thread starter Hazel_374324904
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Damian
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http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MITSUBISHI PAJERO/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-4294967257-4294967258/advert.action?R=200747299104836&distance=367&postcode=PO31 7EJ&channel=CARS&make=MITSUBISHI&model=PAJERO&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
Have a look on the Autotrader website, lots to choose from
Have a look on the Autotrader website, lots to choose from
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Hello Hazel,
You have certainly chosen a large caravan at 1900Kg, but don't be pedantic about the 85%. It is not a 'Rule' but a simple guideline. If a motor manufacture rates their vehicle to tow 1900Kg then it will tow it.
The 85% figure is purely an arbitrary figure that the UK caravan industry came up with as having a high probability that keeping to such a ratio will give a stable tow. It has no basis in law, and it offers no guarantees about stability.
A good tow is dependant on a range of factors of which weight ratio is only one. Loading distribution, tyres and suspension, and driving technique are probably more important.
Having said that keeping a small ratio is sensible if you can.
There are few saloon/estate cars that are capable of towing such a large van, but you might consider one of the MPV's, which generally offer the space and height of a large 4x4, the economy and comfort of a car.
As always check with the manufacturer or their appointed dealers with regard to the technical data about towing limits.
You have certainly chosen a large caravan at 1900Kg, but don't be pedantic about the 85%. It is not a 'Rule' but a simple guideline. If a motor manufacture rates their vehicle to tow 1900Kg then it will tow it.
The 85% figure is purely an arbitrary figure that the UK caravan industry came up with as having a high probability that keeping to such a ratio will give a stable tow. It has no basis in law, and it offers no guarantees about stability.
A good tow is dependant on a range of factors of which weight ratio is only one. Loading distribution, tyres and suspension, and driving technique are probably more important.
Having said that keeping a small ratio is sensible if you can.
There are few saloon/estate cars that are capable of towing such a large van, but you might consider one of the MPV's, which generally offer the space and height of a large 4x4, the economy and comfort of a car.
As always check with the manufacturer or their appointed dealers with regard to the technical data about towing limits.
we towed our coachman laser 590/4 which weighed similar to the storm with a seat alhambra tdi, the car towed far better than the discovery we had prior to it and much better than my dads shogun diesel which is horendously thirsty.
of course any 4x4 is going to be better than a 2 wheel drive saloon or mpv off road, but on road in my opinion the mpv is the king of towing for large vans and cant be beaten for road holding, stability, fuel economy, and comfort. many will disagree with me but i have towed with many different styles of vehicle and not just caravans and the mpv beats the lot.
of course any 4x4 is going to be better than a 2 wheel drive saloon or mpv off road, but on road in my opinion the mpv is the king of towing for large vans and cant be beaten for road holding, stability, fuel economy, and comfort. many will disagree with me but i have towed with many different styles of vehicle and not just caravans and the mpv beats the lot.
The coachman laser is lighter than a Crusader storm.Unladen 1475kg and a MTPLM of 1685kg compared to the Crusader of MTPLM of 1900kg a big difference.Your Seat is 1760kg so the Elldis would be well over the 100%.
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I'd just like to add a further comment to JohnL's reply.
The weight ratio is calculated based on a fully laden caravan being towed by an empty car, i.e. a worst case scenario. In most cases this is not a realistic situation, so the validity of the "85% rule" is, at the very least, questionable.
The weight ratio is calculated based on a fully laden caravan being towed by an empty car, i.e. a worst case scenario. In most cases this is not a realistic situation, so the validity of the "85% rule" is, at the very least, questionable.
You might just be able to find an early 2.7 Grand Cherokee in the private adds. Its heavy enough to handle the van.
Firstly Hazel, don't accept the insurance company's first offer. If the book price for the car is 6 then push for it. Even if you end up with 5700 its another 700 quid towards your next car.
You say you don't want it back but if you buy it back from your insurer for 500 quid or so you'd more than double that breaking it for spares.
I wouldn't be too fussy about trying to find a car with a kerbweight of 2235kgs. It's largely unnecessary for the reasons John and Lutz have outlined. If you must have a 4x4 you'll have to be pretty selective at 5-6 grand to find a good one. Probably the best value at that money is the Discovery, 6k should find a v/w reg with decent miles. Reliability is a matter of opinion though.
If an mpv would suit you consider the Kia Sedona 2.9. According to Parker's you could pick up an '02 model with 40k miles for 6k. I'm not crazy about them but its a lot of car for the cash, and well capable of handling a Superstorm. Try to avoid the autobox though, which is ghastly.
You say you don't want it back but if you buy it back from your insurer for 500 quid or so you'd more than double that breaking it for spares.
I wouldn't be too fussy about trying to find a car with a kerbweight of 2235kgs. It's largely unnecessary for the reasons John and Lutz have outlined. If you must have a 4x4 you'll have to be pretty selective at 5-6 grand to find a good one. Probably the best value at that money is the Discovery, 6k should find a v/w reg with decent miles. Reliability is a matter of opinion though.
If an mpv would suit you consider the Kia Sedona 2.9. According to Parker's you could pick up an '02 model with 40k miles for 6k. I'm not crazy about them but its a lot of car for the cash, and well capable of handling a Superstorm. Try to avoid the autobox though, which is ghastly.
hi dont accept the first offer. go on the auto trader site and print off pictures and prices of ones like your with the same sort of milage and tell them thats how much it would be to replace yours with the same one.
i did this when i had an accident and i got more than i paid for the car. that was a few years ago.
well good luck and keep us posted.
im going to post you a guy we bought a 4 x 4 off before he has nice ones and not to dear. he had alot of LPG's.
jo-anne
i did this when i had an accident and i got more than i paid for the car. that was a few years ago.
well good luck and keep us posted.
im going to post you a guy we bought a 4 x 4 off before he has nice ones and not to dear. he had alot of LPG's.
jo-anne
hi i cant tell you the direct web address because mine goes through the auto trader site.
there email address is roashariri@aol.com and the phone numbers are 07908774415 or 07772280851.
he has got lots of ranger rovers and ther is a TD5 disco on there aswell.
there call R & A motors and they are in wolverhampton. just realised they could be miles from you.
good luck
jo-anne
there email address is roashariri@aol.com and the phone numbers are 07908774415 or 07772280851.
he has got lots of ranger rovers and ther is a TD5 disco on there aswell.
there call R & A motors and they are in wolverhampton. just realised they could be miles from you.
good luck
jo-anne
Hazel,
Sorry to hear about the mishap - hope no one was hurt - as you clearly like Mitsis, have you considered the Shogun as a replacement.
I currently tow with an X reg SWB GDI and having previously had one of the older versions can say it is a great improvement over the MkIV Pajero/Shogun.
It is far more car like to drive and if you go for a petrol version prices are quite good. I get obout 20 mpg towing and with diesel being about 30p a gallon dearer than petrol it's probably comparable in price.
My van is only 1.5 tonnes but it tows 2 tonnes of loaded horse box quite effortlessly - iether SWB or LWB version would tug a Superstorm anywhere.
An advantage of the SWB is it's short length - a twin axle coupled to a large MPV or full sixe 4x4 has a formidable overall "presence"!
My choice was deliberate actually as I use CL sites a lot and some gate and lane combinations, including my own driveway, are unnavigable without unhitching and using a mover.
Sorry to hear about the mishap - hope no one was hurt - as you clearly like Mitsis, have you considered the Shogun as a replacement.
I currently tow with an X reg SWB GDI and having previously had one of the older versions can say it is a great improvement over the MkIV Pajero/Shogun.
It is far more car like to drive and if you go for a petrol version prices are quite good. I get obout 20 mpg towing and with diesel being about 30p a gallon dearer than petrol it's probably comparable in price.
My van is only 1.5 tonnes but it tows 2 tonnes of loaded horse box quite effortlessly - iether SWB or LWB version would tug a Superstorm anywhere.
An advantage of the SWB is it's short length - a twin axle coupled to a large MPV or full sixe 4x4 has a formidable overall "presence"!
My choice was deliberate actually as I use CL sites a lot and some gate and lane combinations, including my own driveway, are unnavigable without unhitching and using a mover.
Hi Hazel,
A Kia Sedona will give you an 86% match with the superstorm its probably the best two wheel drive for the money,I have had two and they were totally reliable.
A Kia Sedona will give you an 86% match with the superstorm its probably the best two wheel drive for the money,I have had two and they were totally reliable.
Hi Hazel,
In my quest to downsize from a 4x4 I've been looking around at various cars and am temped by the Citroen C5 2.2 Hdi, it's max tow is 2150kgs, down the max weight of the car is 2055kgs, but my current van is only 1328kgs but the repalcemnt van I am also looking at is a twin axle 1600kgs.
And with the new model C5 coming out next year my local dealer has offered an extra discount & will add free of charge extras on top of the
In my quest to downsize from a 4x4 I've been looking around at various cars and am temped by the Citroen C5 2.2 Hdi, it's max tow is 2150kgs, down the max weight of the car is 2055kgs, but my current van is only 1328kgs but the repalcemnt van I am also looking at is a twin axle 1600kgs.
And with the new model C5 coming out next year my local dealer has offered an extra discount & will add free of charge extras on top of the
Thankyou all for your quick responses and good advice. We have refused the insurance companys offer and are waiting to hear back from them, re the car, well we have a lot for reseach to do. Regarding the 85% rule very interesting and encouraging response. We have been caravaning for years and my husband has his HGV licence so we are experienced, we have only ever had a single axle light weight van towed by a 4x4 so until now the weight has never really needed to be considered. however now its something we will have to think about more seriously but we are optimistic that we will find the right vehicle, i will keep you all posted, thanks again
Hazel
Hazel
Hi Hazel,
We have the Compass equivalent van to your and we tow with a Toyota Landcruiser. We do about 7000 miles a year towing without any problems either here or abroad. I can highly recommend it for a van of this weight, about 30mpg solo and 22/23 towing.
We have the Compass equivalent van to your and we tow with a Toyota Landcruiser. We do about 7000 miles a year towing without any problems either here or abroad. I can highly recommend it for a van of this weight, about 30mpg solo and 22/23 towing.
Hi Hazel. We tow our Coachman Laser 650/4, MTPLM 1830kg, with a Hyundai Terracan 2.9 crdt cdx. Same engine as the Kia Sedona mpv but with the advantage of 4wd and a genuine off-road capability. Ok, the styling of the vehicle is a bit old fashioned but its ability to tow a big van with all the trimmings and still return 24mpg over 360 miles from Cornwall in 7 hours (average 50+mph) has to be impressive. We bought it at 2years old so we still got 3years manufacturers warranty.It may not be upmarket enough for some, but then I didn't buy it for the badge.Just a thought! Good luck in whatever you decide. Dave (Yorkshire).
I was interested to read the replies to this question as we found ourselves in roughly the same position after our caravan was stolen and the replacement was quite a bit heavier. Whilst my car was perfectly able to tow the new 'van, I always look at the position from an insurance point of view and unless I 've missedit, I don't think any of the replies touched on this. Every day, just about, we read of Insurers turning their backs on claims, sometimes on the flimsiest of excuses, so whilst the 85% rule may have no basis in law, I wonder what would be the Insurers response to a write off if the limits were exceeded by a significant amount.
I have no links to the Insurance industry but I must admit to being a cynic !
I have no links to the Insurance industry but I must admit to being a cynic !
If you go onto the Whattowcar.com website you can put in the details of your van and it will give you a list of all cars that can pull it and it assumes that the 85% 'rule' is obeyed. It also gives a star rating as to how well it performs.
Geoff
Geoff
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Exceeding so-called '85% rule' cannot be used as a basis for rejecting an insurance claim. Only the manufacturers' specifications have any relevance. However, if an insurance company is really on the look-out for a reason to avoid having to pay, there are enough other loopholes at their disposal, even if the 85% is not exceeded. For example, to name just a few, they could withhold payment until proof is established that the tyre pressures were set correctly or that the load was distributed correctly or that the brakes on the caravan were working properly.
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I will say again in big letters 85% IS NOT A RULE! It is only an unofficial suggested guideline.
Geoff,
The whatowcar web site does try to offer suitable matches BUT, it has been reported to contain some inaccuracies with regards to details of cars. The figures obtained on the website must be checked against the owners handbook or the manufacture or their appointed dealers for accurate data.
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Sorry Lutz, I posted this as a comment rather than a full reply
11 Dec 2007 10:39 PM I will say again in big letters 85% IS NOT A RULE! It is only an unofficial suggested guideline.
Geoff,
The whatowcar web site does try to offer suitable matches BUT, it has been reported to contain some inaccuracies with regards to details of cars. The figures obtained on the website must be checked against the owners handbook or the manufacture or their appointed dealers for accurate data.
11 Dec 2007 10:39 PM I will say again in big letters 85% IS NOT A RULE! It is only an unofficial suggested guideline.
Geoff,
The whatowcar web site does try to offer suitable matches BUT, it has been reported to contain some inaccuracies with regards to details of cars. The figures obtained on the website must be checked against the owners handbook or the manufacture or their appointed dealers for accurate data.
For those of you interested in an update, we finally made a decision on which car to tow our heavy caravan and went for a Landrover Discovery 2.5d. Were very pleased with it and have no worries re the towability, thanks for all your comments and advice.
Hazel.
Hazel.
Hi Hazel,
The Kia Sedona has a kerb weight of 2500kgs and a 2.9 liter diesel so should be capable of pulling your van. I've heard that they arn't the most comfortable car on the road but for the price they are'nt bad
The Kia Sedona has a kerb weight of 2500kgs and a 2.9 liter diesel so should be capable of pulling your van. I've heard that they arn't the most comfortable car on the road but for the price they are'nt bad
hi again
just saw your post about the disco, I have one and its not bad but remember if it is the 200 or 300 tdi then dont be fooled by the nose weight stated in the press of 150 kgs it is 75 kgs. If you have the td5 then it is the disco 2 that is the one with the 150 kg weight allowance
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