Discussion
A 2016 Sprite Quattro FB which should be arriving around June/July next year. I'm looking to upgrade my tow car to suit & would welcome any advice. I'd prefer something 4x4 with a diesel (I was thinking along the lines of something like a Shogun). The MRO of the van is 1353kg with a MTPL of 1578kg.
As I understand it there's no legal towing limit regarding caravan to vehicle weight ratio (more like guidelines) although towing a 6 berth with a MX5 might be overdoing it!!
Cheers.
Tim
As I understand it there's no legal towing limit regarding caravan to vehicle weight ratio (more like guidelines) although towing a 6 berth with a MX5 might be overdoing it!!
Cheers.
Tim
That's not a very heavy caravan - there's no need for such a large tow car.
I pull a twin axle Ace which has a MTPLM weight of 1730kg with my Audi A6 Quattro (which is 4x4). You could pull your Sprite with something similar or smaller - an A4 Avant or BMW X series tourer.
Be careful with the large 4x4's like Shogun, Discovery, Landcruiser, etc. - you will get horrendous MPG (and I mean less than 20mpg when towing).
As for legislation, there is no rule with regards weight ratio (85% is the one that towing bodies etc. recommend). Obviously your tow car has a maximum towing weight (for example, my car has a maximum towing weight of 1900kg).
I presume you have either a pre 1997 driving license or you've taken your B+E test if you passed your test post 1997?
I pull a twin axle Ace which has a MTPLM weight of 1730kg with my Audi A6 Quattro (which is 4x4). You could pull your Sprite with something similar or smaller - an A4 Avant or BMW X series tourer.
Be careful with the large 4x4's like Shogun, Discovery, Landcruiser, etc. - you will get horrendous MPG (and I mean less than 20mpg when towing).
As for legislation, there is no rule with regards weight ratio (85% is the one that towing bodies etc. recommend). Obviously your tow car has a maximum towing weight (for example, my car has a maximum towing weight of 1900kg).
I presume you have either a pre 1997 driving license or you've taken your B+E test if you passed your test post 1997?
I currently tow my van with Kia Sorento. It is not a bad tow car.
I can recommend going for a car that has good tow ball weight capacity. My Kia is 100Kg. I previously towed with an E320 estate and the nose weight was 70/75kg (cant remember which). It is far easier loading the Kia with the higher limit as I don't have to worry as much about what I put up front in the van and what goes directly over axle etc. I can now put the wheel clamp in the front locker whereas before it would take me over so went in the car.
I can recommend going for a car that has good tow ball weight capacity. My Kia is 100Kg. I previously towed with an E320 estate and the nose weight was 70/75kg (cant remember which). It is far easier loading the Kia with the higher limit as I don't have to worry as much about what I put up front in the van and what goes directly over axle etc. I can now put the wheel clamp in the front locker whereas before it would take me over so went in the car.
Rosscow said:
That's not a very heavy caravan - there's no need for such a large tow car.
I pull a twin axle Ace which has a MTPLM weight of 1730kg with my Audi A6 Quattro (which is 4x4). You could pull your Sprite with something similar or smaller - an A4 Avant or BMW X series tourer.
Be careful with the large 4x4's like Shogun, Discovery, Landcruiser, etc. - you will get horrendous MPG (and I mean less than 20mpg when towing).
As for legislation, there is no rule with regards weight ratio (85% is the one that towing bodies etc. recommend). Obviously your tow car has a maximum towing weight (for example, my car has a maximum towing weight of 1900kg).
I presume you have either a pre 1997 driving license or you've taken your B+E test if you passed your test post 1997?
We have a much older Sprite Quattro which has a similar MTPLM.I pull a twin axle Ace which has a MTPLM weight of 1730kg with my Audi A6 Quattro (which is 4x4). You could pull your Sprite with something similar or smaller - an A4 Avant or BMW X series tourer.
Be careful with the large 4x4's like Shogun, Discovery, Landcruiser, etc. - you will get horrendous MPG (and I mean less than 20mpg when towing).
As for legislation, there is no rule with regards weight ratio (85% is the one that towing bodies etc. recommend). Obviously your tow car has a maximum towing weight (for example, my car has a maximum towing weight of 1900kg).
I presume you have either a pre 1997 driving license or you've taken your B+E test if you passed your test post 1997?
Currently tow with a Range Rover which is a dream. We do get over 20mpg when towing (but not by much!), and it does not improve so much when not towing...
I've also towed with a E320 Estate. This was well within weight, but was never as stable - vehicles going past would tug it about unpleasantly.
Assuming you have B+E you have loads of options.
smashie said:
I currently tow my van with Kia Sorento. It is not a bad tow car.
I can recommend going for a car that has good tow ball weight capacity. My Kia is 100Kg. I previously towed with an E320 estate and the nose weight was 70/75kg (cant remember which). It is far easier loading the Kia with the higher limit as I don't have to worry as much about what I put up front in the van and what goes directly over axle etc. I can now put the wheel clamp in the front locker whereas before it would take me over so went in the car.
I've never found it a problem, but I think that is because we have a twin axle. I can recommend going for a car that has good tow ball weight capacity. My Kia is 100Kg. I previously towed with an E320 estate and the nose weight was 70/75kg (cant remember which). It is far easier loading the Kia with the higher limit as I don't have to worry as much about what I put up front in the van and what goes directly over axle etc. I can now put the wheel clamp in the front locker whereas before it would take me over so went in the car.
One thing that I would seriously recommend if buying a car for towing is to get one with self levelling rear suspension. Makes such a difference!
Rosscow said:
Be careful with the large 4x4's like Shogun, Discovery, Landcruiser, etc. - you will get horrendous MPG (and I mean less than 20mpg when towing).
Not far wrong there. I tow a similar weight van to Rosscow, with a Disco V8 (11mpg towing) and a Shogun 3.2DiD (24mpg towing), so they are juicy. Only bonus is they have plenty of weight and grunt behind them. I like the trucks as I'm often in boggy fields, but if you have the vehicle to be a daily, something like the Audi is a corker of a carGassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff