Towing a box trailer with no power!

[breamster]

Ok....we have a couple of weeks of camping lined up in the summer.

Our family heap is a Renault Scenic with a mighty 1.6 of throbbing power.

Can I tow a trailer with it? I know I can legally but will a 4x3 trailer for example have much effect?

The car is soooo slow already and struggles up big hills when fully loaded with kids, tent, bikes, kitchen sinks etc.

Will a trailer slow progress down that much?

Or should I simply buy the 540 touring that I so desire?

[littlebasher]

Well, as kids my Mum and Dad used to drive us around the French Alps in a 1.1 Fiesta pulling a trailer!

Small 4x3 trailer isn't going to make much difference to performance, except for the different speed limits you'll need to abide by!

[breamster]

littlebasher said:

Well, as kids my Mum and Dad used to drive us around the French Alps in a 1.1 Fiesta pulling a trailer!

Small 4x3 trailer isn't going to make much difference to performance, except for the different speed limits you'll need to abide by!

Thanks. Good to hear. Just a little concerned as a couple of big hills when fully laden I have had to resort to 2nd gear to get up!! Oh the indignity!

Anyone have experience of small engines and small trailers?

[marshal_alan]

tow a caravan with a 1.5 almera, when mum was alive it was us 2 with her mobility scooter, wheelchair and a load of gear in the back. caravan was about 950kg so well legal. yes it was a bit slow on motorways and on twisty b roads i had to use 2nd gear but in reality solo i would have been in 3rd and not going much quicker. ditto on motorways i drive at 55-60 with caravan it is 50ish and sometimes on beattock and shap i had to drop to 40 and use 3rd. still got there. the drive is part of the holiday

[iguana]

I've towed my track car on heavy trailer, plus fuel & spare wheels tools etc so approx 2.5tons behind a non turbo d vw t4 camper, think it rocks circa 70bhp.

Sure its hard work on the hills 1st gear on steep b road ones! & holding 60 even on the flat is tough but is handy having the camper at a couple of trackdays so I'll prob do it a couple of times this yr too.

[breamster]

Ok...I'm convinced.


I'll book in for the towbar to be fitted. Local place has quoted me £235 all in. Does that sound ok?

I don't have time or motivation to fit it myself.

[Stiggolas]

Sounds like reasonable value.
I once towed a 6x4 camping trailer from Doncaster to Cornwall with a 1 litre Fiat Panda (first square shape). The lower speed limits meant it was actually easier on the car than a 75mph blast would have been.