Towing with an old-ish Alfa
Discussion
Herself just can not get comfy in a tent and has decided she would like a caravan, nowt huge or fancy, 2 berth with an awning will do perfectly.
I have a 1.5 Mazda 323 that i feel would be to light and underpowered, which leaves my lovely old girl for towing.
A 1993 Alfa 155 2.0 8v, approx 143bhp and weighs 1200kgs again approx.
In your opinions should it be ok, probably tow a dozen times a year from Liverpool to N Wales or Scotland, Lake District, i have seen about the 85% rule so should be fine upto 1000kilos.
This is the car.
I have a 1.5 Mazda 323 that i feel would be to light and underpowered, which leaves my lovely old girl for towing.
A 1993 Alfa 155 2.0 8v, approx 143bhp and weighs 1200kgs again approx.
In your opinions should it be ok, probably tow a dozen times a year from Liverpool to N Wales or Scotland, Lake District, i have seen about the 85% rule so should be fine upto 1000kilos.
This is the car.
I'm sure it will tow fine. I used to tow a 1000kg ABI Jubilee 4 Berth with my 405 Mi16, which was pretty comparable with a 2.0 155 (is this the Nord Twinspark ?), it was very stable and perfectly quick enough to mean you were not usually the one causing the frustration for other road users.
Only thing I would say is be careful of the nose weight, I could never get mine down to the theoretical limit of the 405 and I doubt you will with an average van and a 155. Not sure what 155 rear suspension is like compared to a 156, but a 156's rear suspension wouldn't last long with the nose weight I had to used. My Van had gone by the time my 156's arrived, so I never tried it.
Only thing I would say is be careful of the nose weight, I could never get mine down to the theoretical limit of the 405 and I doubt you will with an average van and a 155. Not sure what 155 rear suspension is like compared to a 156, but a 156's rear suspension wouldn't last long with the nose weight I had to used. My Van had gone by the time my 156's arrived, so I never tried it.
Edited by velocemitch on Saturday 30th August 12:36
velocemitch said:
I'm sure it will tow fine. I used to tow a 1000kg ABI Jubilee 4 Berth with my 405 Mi16, which was pretty comparable with a 2.0 155 (is this the Nord Twinspark ?), it was very stable and perfectly quick enough to mean you were not usually the one causing the frustration for other road users.
Only thing I would say is be careful of the nose weight, I could never get mine down to the theoretical limit of the 405 and I doubt you will with an average van and a 155. Not sure what 155 rear suspension is like compared to a 156, but a 156's rear suspension wouldn't last long with the nose weight I had to used. My Van had gone by the time my 156's arrived, so I never tried it.
Yes mate it is the 8v Nord twinny, specs show that it is a bit heavier and less powerful than the 405, it has taken me a few hours but i think i finally have my head round 'noseweight'Only thing I would say is be careful of the nose weight, I could never get mine down to the theoretical limit of the 405 and I doubt you will with an average van and a 155. Not sure what 155 rear suspension is like compared to a 156, but a 156's rear suspension wouldn't last long with the nose weight I had to used. My Van had gone by the time my 156's arrived, so I never tried it.
Edited by velocemitch on Saturday 30th August 12:36
I will be putting stiffer shocks on the car during towing season, no idea what the 156 rear is like, 14 Alfa's but never a 156 lol.
velocemitch said:
Or if you prefer to stick to UK Vans, Lunar are always lighter size for size than the other UK built Vans, expect they would be more plentiful than a continental make too.
The Door is on the correct side too, which occasionally helps.
Can do.....but the door side is no bother even on Caravan Club sites....lolThe Door is on the correct side too, which occasionally helps.
Or why not....do as we do and go to Europe...then door side is no problem there either...
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