Tow car for caravan?

[crankedup]

Going back into vintage caravanning, the caravan weighs in at just under 500kg. Currently our old skoda fabia 1.9tdi can step into towing duties but next season will likely need something fresher.
We are wary of buying another tdi owing to the upcoming eco changes to cars, so assume petrol will be the thing. The car, whatever it may be will only be used for towing duties so which
might be a good bet. Budget about 3k or so.
Thanks for any comment and advise.

[ricotansky]

Try this:

https://towcar.info/GB/

Or this if you are a member:

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/...

[crankedup]

Thanks, not a member of the CC but the first link is great.
A bit concerned over the big derv debate but can't see petrol power as being much good for towing.

[Stiggolas]

I tow with a SAAB 9 5 2.3t petrol and it's excellent. The car is the lower powered version at 185bhp and automatic but it pulls our 900kg van like it's not there. Surprises a few solos on the slipways onto motorways. The only drawback is the 21mpg.....

[ricotansky]

The Diesel debate might be an issue if buying something new, but if you are looking at a £3k car I'd be inclined to risk it as you probably won't be losing much on a car of that age, even if diesels do get hammered. I reckon the worse case scenario is that you'll not be able to take it into some big cities.

Having said that, if you really want to avoid diesel (I do as well so share your pain!) people used to tow with petrol cars before diesels came along so assume they still can! I'd probably look at a Mondeo//Mazda 6/Passat/Octavia and buy whichever was in best condition.

[hornetrider]

If you are going petrol then torque is good. Which means cubic inches. Therefore my suggestion is... Passat V6 4Mo.

This one looks lovely.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If you're not scared of miles there's a 177k one for shed money too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[crankedup]

Thanks for all inputs, some good suggestions and advise. I took my vintage caravan out at the weekend and pressed the old skoda 1.9tdi into towing service. If the skoda passes another MOT this November I might use it as the tow car for next season. Perhaps in a years time we may have a better idea regarding the big fuel changes are shaping up.

[Thurbs]

The M5 tows like a dream (this is ph after all)



Usually tow about 1800KG.

[vivalebeaver]

Unless you live in a large city such as London with its emission zone I wouldn't worry about getting another diesel. It'll be 20 years before they ban new ones and even after that date there'll still be second hand ones. Diesel have better towing power. Something like a Ford Focus would be ok seeing as caravan is so light.

[crankedup]

^^^^^
Wish I shared your optimism, thing is I don't want to spend much money on a tow car, this limits me to an early oil burner if I go that route. My crystal ball see's many cities and large towns cashing in very soon on emission charges. Only time will tell but thanks for input nevertheless.

[mikal83]

Stiggolas said:

I tow with a SAAB 9 5 2.3t petrol and it's excellent. The car is the lower powered version at 185bhp and automatic but it pulls our 900kg van like it's not there. Surprises a few solos on the slipways onto motorways. The only drawback is the 21mpg.....

And that's why we bought a 2L diesel to tow our caravan. 50 mpg on its own and 25 ish towing.

[crankedup]

Decided to keep our old banger Skoda fabia 1.9tdi for use as our tow car. It tows my vintage caravan well and it's reliable. Going to buy a replacement daily runner in place of the skoda so when I am away at vintage shows wife has use of another car, simple!! Took me a while to work it out though!!!!

[ColinM50]

Can't argue about a Saab. They're one of the better older cars and even though they've been out of production for ten years, they represent stunning value for money. Spares aren't a problem, most mechanicals are Vauxhall and if you look on Autotrader, you can't spend more than about £4k. Have it as a daily car and if you throw it away after two years, it won't owe you anything. I think you need to just change the cambelt though

[smifffymoto]

Is the M5 legal towing a tri axle trailer?

[Thurbs]

smifffymoto said:

Is the M5 legal towing a tri axle trailer?

Yes, 2,200KG braked, it was an option at the factory. It is the only super saloon which you can get a tow bar with. AMG, RS6 etc are all not type approved, hence why I got it.

Trailer is 750KG, that car was 980KG.

[smifffymoto]

Yes,but what is the weight max rated weight of the trailer.
Tri axle I would suspect is 3000 or 3500kg,which is way more than permitted.Unless of course it is rated lower.

[Thurbs]

The max rating of the trailer is 3.5t.

None of the axles exceed their maximum (including the car), the maximum nose weight is not exceeded, the maximum trailer weight is not exceeded, the cars maximum authorised mass is not exceeded and the maximum gross train weight is not exceeded.

Edit: I forgot to mention I have BE on my licence (as well as C1E).

What is the problem?

[MJK 24]

Thurbs said:

The max rating of the trailer is 3.5t.


What is the problem?

The towing capacity of the car is lower than the gross weight of the trailer. I know you're under the towing capacity of the car in the photo but VOSA don't look at it like that.

Also, the Clio looks quite far back? It'd be more stable if it was further forwards I think.

[Thurbs]

MJK 24 said:

The towing capacity of the car is lower than the gross weight of the trailer. I know you're under the towing capacity of the car in the photo but VOSA don't look at it like that.

Also, the Clio looks quite far back? It'd be more stable if it was further forwards I think.

I have looked in to this in the past. VOSA doesn't exist anymore, now the DVSA. Anyway... this site agrees with me:

gov.uk said:

Where the sum of the maximum plated weights of the towing vehicle and of the trailer added together exceed the plated GCW of the towing vehicle, this is not a problem as long as the ‘actual’ weights of the vehicle and trailer (which may not be fully laden at the time) do not exceed the plated GCW.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van/towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van-the-basics

I have found lots of sites referencing plating down the trailer as you suggest, but no official source. I would be very grateful if someone could point me to the legislation or summary which contradicts me.

Finally I found the pivot point of the car, marked it on the sill and always made sure it was slightly forward of the centre wheel. I always check the nose weight my lifting it to make sure there is less than 70kg. That car had 650kg on the front axle and 340kg on the rear hence why it looks too far back. Always tows like a dream with no weave but I have to admit the wife’s disco is much better.

[bedonde]

Thurbs said:

Yes, 2,200KG braked, it was an option at the factory. It is the only super saloon which you can get a tow bar with. AMG, RS6 etc are all not type approved, hence why I got it.

Trailer is 750KG, that car was 980KG.

Hang on, wait a minute... you mean I could buy an F10 M5 and tow my 1600kg caravan with it? Does it have to have a factory towbar?
Yes I know where the door is, I will hand my PH card in on the way out.