Eriba + Golf GTI?

[ricotansky]

Me and the missus are weighing up the pros and cons of swapping our campervan for an Eriba caravan. I've currently got a Mk7 Golf GTI and from the figures think this should be ok weight and power wise for towing an Eriba. But, would it be rubbish in reality?

Would it be unstable with car this size, would towing with a petrol powered car be hard work?

I don't really want to change the car but would consider getting something bigger if required, but I really don't want to get a diesel!

Thanks

Rico

[chasingracecars]

I would first check you can get a tow bar fitted to a GTI. Then how much, could be a £1000 or more. (Could be much less though)

That would also give your recommended towing limits. Then work out what caravan you can have from that.

[oblio]

I have certainly seen a Golf towing something much larger than an Ariba on one site we were on...

[ricotansky]

Yes, theoretically I think that it should be able to do it (although it might need the rear diffuser cut or replaced with a different shaped one to accommodate the towbar).

I bet the Golf you saw was a diesel however, I just wonder if a petrol would make more of a meal of towing than a diesel as it won't be as torquey.

[bristolracer]

We tow our Eriba with a Focus 1.6tdci 110 hp.

Sometimes have to drop a cog on a long hill, sometimes a bit of wheelspin on wet campsite grass but otherwise no problems.

I have just put a towbar on my S type, but I suspect we will back to the Focus when the MPG figure on the Jag, when towing ,is calculated

This may be of use to you
https://towcar.info/GB/

[blongs]

The petrol turbo engine should have similar torque characteristics to a diesel turbo shouldn't it? This would make it a similar towing experience compared to petrol n/a.


Is yours the same engine as the Audi A4 ? That car won petrol towcar award this year.

http://www.thetowcarawards.com/winners/2017-best-p...

[ricotansky]

Great thanks, according to that website it is a good match.

The Golf is less powerful than that Audi, but is a smaller car so it all bodes well.

[MattS5]

Detachable towbar under £600 fitted.
No exclusion for Gti, but it won’t fit an R

https://www.bosal-towbars.co.uk/towbars/volkswagen...

[GreatGranny]

What's the max weight of the caravan?

Recommendations are for no more than 85% of the weight of the car for safe towing.
Also loading the van is just as important.
Be careful with max. nose weight also.

You will certainly have enough power and torque.