Towing weight question
Discussion
Looking to replace the tent with a caravan. It only gets used 3 or 4 times a year but the kids love it, and with a little less effort required for a caravan in terms of not worrying about it getting wet when packing away etc, we're considering a caravan up to £6k.
Something like this http://www.norwich-caravans.co.uk/used-bailey-cara...
Question is, will my wifes 2005 GTi turbo be up to the job of towing it? Looking at this site here it looks like it might well be borderline http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp
Would prefer not to have to change the car until we're happy we actually like caravaning, as a diesel or 4x4 isnt really her next choice of car.
Any feedback gratefully accepted. (I could potentially use my fathers Merc C220 CDi estate if needs be as we wont be going very far from home anyway)
Something like this http://www.norwich-caravans.co.uk/used-bailey-cara...
Question is, will my wifes 2005 GTi turbo be up to the job of towing it? Looking at this site here it looks like it might well be borderline http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp
Would prefer not to have to change the car until we're happy we actually like caravaning, as a diesel or 4x4 isnt really her next choice of car.
Any feedback gratefully accepted. (I could potentially use my fathers Merc C220 CDi estate if needs be as we wont be going very far from home anyway)
I'm not so sure, Lou.
Looks OK to me, as long as you don't go mental loading the caravan:
Go to: http://www.towcar.info/
I have selected the following:
Volkswagen Golf V - 2.0 GTI (manual version 2004-2008)
2006 Bailey Ranger 510
I have adjusted the MIRO weight of the caravan to 1026kg and the MTPLM to 1250kg as stated on the dealer website.
With a load of 200kg in the caravan, and a load of 300kg in the car, then you get 86% weight ratio which is absolutely fine.
It also gives it 5 stars for the stability index.
The car has a towing limit of 1400kg, so you could also pull this outfit without needing the B+E license. I think the car has a gross weight of around 1750kg and a kurb weight of 1428kg.
Out of interest if the car was loaded to 1750kg, 1250kg (maximum caravan weight) is only 71% of the car weight so no problem there. Still well under the car tow limit as well.
The car has a nose weight of 75kg which should be ample also.
Looks OK to me, as long as you don't go mental loading the caravan:
Go to: http://www.towcar.info/
I have selected the following:
Volkswagen Golf V - 2.0 GTI (manual version 2004-2008)
2006 Bailey Ranger 510
I have adjusted the MIRO weight of the caravan to 1026kg and the MTPLM to 1250kg as stated on the dealer website.
With a load of 200kg in the caravan, and a load of 300kg in the car, then you get 86% weight ratio which is absolutely fine.
It also gives it 5 stars for the stability index.
The car has a towing limit of 1400kg, so you could also pull this outfit without needing the B+E license. I think the car has a gross weight of around 1750kg and a kurb weight of 1428kg.
Out of interest if the car was loaded to 1750kg, 1250kg (maximum caravan weight) is only 71% of the car weight so no problem there. Still well under the car tow limit as well.
The car has a nose weight of 75kg which should be ample also.
Edited by Rosscow on Tuesday 8th July 16:17
Ok, thank you that's really very helpful.
I might go see the dealer in question, its literally 5 miles from my house and see what they say.
I like the layout of the rear washroom (I think) over having it at the side.
I see Lunar do a few like that too, and they seem to dip in under weight, but not many local to me to go and view.
I wouldn't expect I'd be overloading the van, maybe an awning and a BBQ plus a kids bike, and relevant clothes for us all.
The car would have 2 adults and 2 kids under 9 in it, so weight in there wouldn't be mad either.
Licence shouldn't be an issue either I think, I passed my test back in 1988.
I might go see the dealer in question, its literally 5 miles from my house and see what they say.
I like the layout of the rear washroom (I think) over having it at the side.
I see Lunar do a few like that too, and they seem to dip in under weight, but not many local to me to go and view.
I wouldn't expect I'd be overloading the van, maybe an awning and a BBQ plus a kids bike, and relevant clothes for us all.
The car would have 2 adults and 2 kids under 9 in it, so weight in there wouldn't be mad either.
Licence shouldn't be an issue either I think, I passed my test back in 1988.
Edited by MattS3 on Tuesday 8th July 16:38
MattS3 said:
Ok, thats pretty helpful.
I might go see the dealer in question, its literally 5 miles from my house and see what they say.
I like the layout of the rear washroom (I think) over having it at the side.
I see Lunar do a few like that too, and they seem to dip in under weight, but not many local to me to go and view.
I wouldn't expect I'd be overloading the van, maybe an awning and a BBQ plus a kids bike, and relevant clothes for us all.
The car would have 2 adults and 2 kids under 9 in it, so weight in there wouldn't be mad either.
You'll be surprised!!I might go see the dealer in question, its literally 5 miles from my house and see what they say.
I like the layout of the rear washroom (I think) over having it at the side.
I see Lunar do a few like that too, and they seem to dip in under weight, but not many local to me to go and view.
I wouldn't expect I'd be overloading the van, maybe an awning and a BBQ plus a kids bike, and relevant clothes for us all.
The car would have 2 adults and 2 kids under 9 in it, so weight in there wouldn't be mad either.
Gas bottle (or 2?)
Aquaroll
Waste water container
BBQ
Clothes
Bike
Bedding
Food stuffs and drinks
You'll be amazed how much that would add up to. I always put my awning (which is heavy) in the boot of the car to save loading the van up.
I guess so, but I know just how much stuff we take at the moment camping, fills a trailer, and 2 cars!
Was kinda hoping that without the need for a fridge, cooking equipment, folding storage units, tables and chairs, gas bottle for outside bbq, things might get a little easier to move about!
My thinking is that we'd need space for the awning (heavy) then the BBQ on the floor of the van over the axle, with water carriers etc all being lightweight due to being empty, but stored in the bathroom are for transit.
Bed stuff and clothes in the van, thus we can leave one car at home and just use 1 car plus the caravan.
This might all be working out nicely
Was kinda hoping that without the need for a fridge, cooking equipment, folding storage units, tables and chairs, gas bottle for outside bbq, things might get a little easier to move about!
My thinking is that we'd need space for the awning (heavy) then the BBQ on the floor of the van over the axle, with water carriers etc all being lightweight due to being empty, but stored in the bathroom are for transit.
Bed stuff and clothes in the van, thus we can leave one car at home and just use 1 car plus the caravan.
This might all be working out nicely
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