Caravan Tow Cars
Discussion
C6 Audi S6 Avant. Can out-accelerate a BMW 320d even when towing said caravan.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021591...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021591...
2000kg for a single axle caravan is high generally they top out at 1600kg then they are twin axle. Caravan club recommend a 85% rule ie the loaded caravan does not exceed 85% of the weight of the car.
You really need to identify a caravan first then look at potential tow cars. Not all cars are legally allowed to tow/ have tow bars available for them. Not all heavy cars can tow heavy caravans or trailers.
Google tow car awards for examples of suitable towing vehicles at the various caravan weights.
You really need to identify a caravan first then look at potential tow cars. Not all cars are legally allowed to tow/ have tow bars available for them. Not all heavy cars can tow heavy caravans or trailers.
Google tow car awards for examples of suitable towing vehicles at the various caravan weights.
V8 Bob said:
2000kg for a single axle caravan is high generally they top out at 1600kg then they are twin axle. Caravan club recommend a 85% rule ie the loaded caravan does not exceed 85% of the weight of the car.
You really need to identify a caravan first then look at potential tow cars. Not all cars are legally allowed to tow/ have tow bars available for them. Not all heavy cars can tow heavy caravans or trailers.
Google tow car awards for examples of suitable towing vehicles at the various caravan weights.
The vans I have been looking at are around 1500kg.You really need to identify a caravan first then look at potential tow cars. Not all cars are legally allowed to tow/ have tow bars available for them. Not all heavy cars can tow heavy caravans or trailers.
Google tow car awards for examples of suitable towing vehicles at the various caravan weights.
The extra accounts for luggage etc.
georgeyboy12345 said:
C6 Audi S6 Avant. Can out-accelerate a BMW 320d even when towing said caravan.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021591...
Hadn't given the S6 a thought.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021591...
I like the look of that one so thank you.
The Brummie said:
The vans I have been looking at are around 1500kg.
The extra accounts for luggage etc.
Dream on!The extra accounts for luggage etc.
You will soon find that caravans have a measly payload allowance and a lot of necessities are not included. Generally a 4 berth caravan will have a payload of around 160kgs. From this you need to allow for a gas bottle, a decent sized battery, motor movers if you fit them, water and waste gear. The manufacturers empty weight specified is often (actually probably always) under the caravans real weight. I've had a caravan that was more than 100kgs over it's specified unladen weight. And unless you go German, any weight plate upgrade will be minimal on this size caravan.
AlwynMike said:
The Brummie said:
The vans I have been looking at are around 1500kg.
The extra accounts for luggage etc.
Dream on!The extra accounts for luggage etc.
You will soon find that caravans have a measly payload allowance and a lot of necessities are not included. Generally a 4 berth caravan will have a payload of around 160kgs. From this you need to allow for a gas bottle, a decent sized battery, motor movers if you fit them, water and waste gear. The manufacturers empty weight specified is often (actually probably always) under the caravans real weight. I've had a caravan that was more than 100kgs over it's specified unladen weight. And unless you go German, any weight plate upgrade will be minimal on this size caravan.
I'm looking for honest & sensible advice/guidance.
I was told by a dealer that if I buy a caravan with an approximate weight of 1500kg I should 'add on' another 500kg for awnings etc.
I don't know if that is correct.
Like I said it's a new venture for me so I need too know that I do is correct.
As in both safe & sensible.
Have a look here on what’s a decent match.
https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php
Doesn’t have to be a large 4x4 (although they’ll cope admirably) but a decent estate will do the job just as well. A lot of the stuff you’ll be lugging around will have to in the boot anyhow due to caravan weight limits.
https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php
Doesn’t have to be a large 4x4 (although they’ll cope admirably) but a decent estate will do the job just as well. A lot of the stuff you’ll be lugging around will have to in the boot anyhow due to caravan weight limits.
valiant said:
Have a look here on what’s a decent match.
https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php
Doesn’t have to be a large 4x4 (although they’ll cope admirably) but a decent estate will do the job just as well. A lot of the stuff you’ll be lugging around will have to in the boot anyhow due to caravan weight limits.
Thank you.https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php
Doesn’t have to be a large 4x4 (although they’ll cope admirably) but a decent estate will do the job just as well. A lot of the stuff you’ll be lugging around will have to in the boot anyhow due to caravan weight limits.
This is exactly the info I need.
The Brummie said:
I was told by a dealer that if I buy a caravan with an approximate weight of 1500kg I should 'add on' another 500kg for awnings etc.
.
Depends what weight is being given as 1500kg..
If thats the ex works weight it means no battery, gas bottles, awning or anything else.
Depending on how much stuff you end up carting around you could add 100kg to that fairly easily.
If they are quoting MTPLM as 1500kg then you might be lighter than that with everything on board.
I tow with an early Cayenne (3.5t tow rated), we also own a few Volvo's including an XC90.
The inline engine as per the Cayenne leaves plenty of room for a large durable gearbox that is fine long term towing. The transverse nature of the Volvo's means the Asian Warner auto is very compact and not as durable for towing.
The early VW Tourareg (same underneath as the Cayenne) are also rated at 3.5t and available with the VAG 3.0l diesel, and shares the low range transfer box so reversing can be done slower.
The inline engine as per the Cayenne leaves plenty of room for a large durable gearbox that is fine long term towing. The transverse nature of the Volvo's means the Asian Warner auto is very compact and not as durable for towing.
The early VW Tourareg (same underneath as the Cayenne) are also rated at 3.5t and available with the VAG 3.0l diesel, and shares the low range transfer box so reversing can be done slower.
The Brummie said:
I'm looking for honest & sensible advice/guidance.
I was told by a dealer that if I buy a caravan with an approximate weight of 1500kg I should 'add on' another 500kg for awnings etc.
That information from a so called dealer is neither honest nor sensible.I was told by a dealer that if I buy a caravan with an approximate weight of 1500kg I should 'add on' another 500kg for awnings etc.
There are plenty of single axle UK caravans that max out at 1500 to 1600kgs. Note maximum. That's fully loaded. All of these vans will have a standard payload of around 160 kgs. That's because it's an old formula that van manufacturers use based on number of beds and length. You may be able to upgrade the available payload by paying the manufacturer for another weight plate. If you're lucky that will give you another 40 to 50kgs. The van manufacturers use a standard chassis, which come in 100kg increments. They will use the cheapest as in the past, lighter vans sold better. Hence little payload headroom that hasn't kept up with modern kit. Yes, you can easily get 500kgs of kit. It will fit in the van. It won't be legal. It will be unsafe. It probably won't tow well either. You would be in good company if you overload - I would think 75% of vans are overloaded. Mine was. Van tyres, used on caravans are at the limit of their weight carrying capacity. From bitter experience, a van tyre with a cold pressure of 4.1 bar can easily get to 7 bar and 65 degrees at speed. That is frightening, but not as frightening as a blowout.
Go to another dealer.
Plan on putting almost everything in the car....heavy car : light van is good.
If you do want a big payload, go German caravan like a Hobby - the ones Travellers use. You can get weight upgrades on these as the manufacturer can supply heavier duty chassis....at a cost.
Get a car that will pull 2000kgs, so 1600kgs will be easier. People baby the 85% thing... Caravan max weight (MTPLM) to car kerbweight. It's a very old, very outdated formula. Kerbweight is plucked from the air unless you have a Certificate of Conformity. But. Some insurance companies will not insure you if the van weighs more than the car. They will never be able to tell after an accident of course, as a caravan will be scattered across several hundred square metres.
It's a minefield to do it properly, and there are plenty of tweed jacketed adenoidal anoraks who will put you right :-)
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