Caravanners towing with turbo petrol cars

freedomseeker
freedomseeker Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited February 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

Are there any caravanners out there towing with the increasingly popular turbo petrol cars? I'm thinking of changing my car and given that diesel is now falling out of favour wondered about considering one of those. Objective assessments by the caravan club would very much be welcomed as a previous contributor suggested a few weeks ago. I tow a small caravan - 750 cwt and would very much appreciate any advice from fellow caravanners.

Comments

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #2

    Depends what you mean by falling out of favour? Few manufacturers have reduced the range of diesels and sales are barely falling.

  • EXNZ
    EXNZ Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited February 2017 #3

    I have a Renault Clio Sports Tourer 100hp turbo. I used to tow a 1999 Herald Clarion 460-2. It was a little too heavy. In the last couple of weeks I've taken delivery of a Freedom Flare. Nice and light. Smooth run from the importer in Stafford to my home in South Wales.

  • EXNZ
    EXNZ Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited February 2017 #4

    I have a Renault Clio Sports Tourer 100hp turbo. I used to tow a 1999 Herald Clarion 460-2. It was a little too heavy. In the last couple of weeks I've taken delivery of a Freedom Flare. Nice and light. Smooth run from the importer in Stafford to my home in South Wales.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #5

    I think there needs to be some perspective in all this.  You have a lightweight van 750kg I assume 750cwt is very heavy indeed.  If we go back 25 or more years nearly everyone would be towing with a petrol car because diesels just weren't available. There may be some advantages to Diesel but if as you say they are falling out a favour, and I agree btw.  then there are petrol powered cars that will do the job. 

    Ps If anyone thinks I am just an out of touch Diesel hater our tow car is a turbo Diesel and I have just ordered a td Skoda as a company car. But even I can see which way the wind is blowing

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #6

    My diseasal towcar does a job & I miss my previous V6 petrol car. Though diseasals have got much quieter, they're  still not as quiet as a petrol.

    P.S. 750cwt is 37.5 tons wink

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #7

    Towed for about 45 years with petrol cars. The last 3 were turbo charged, including two automatics, and all were excellent

    In fact never actually towed with a diesel although have had diesel cars, including currently, but now a Motorhome.

    Didn't joined the BHP game (I never found it hard work to move the gear lever into a lower gear) and visited all the European and Scandinavian countries many times without a problem...including all the infamous passes......as we still do!

    Good lucksmile

     

     

     

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
    500 Comments
    edited February 2017 #8

    I tow with a Volvo 2.9ltr twin turbo engine and its by far the best towcar i,ve ever owned.The caravan is 1750 kg.For me most towcars need a turbo especially a diesel engine.It gives me a lot of quick power (272 bhp) for overtakeing on the motorway so i can get back in lane one asap and it does it easily..Personnally i,ve always prefered petrol cars as they are smoother and certainly quieter than a diesel.I own a diesel Passat and its a great car for everyday use but not big enough for our van IMO.

    v9

  • freedomseeker
    freedomseeker Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited February 2017 #9

    Thank you, all, for replying to my query about turbo petrol cars. Your replies are very much appreciated. Clearly I made a glaring error with the weight of my little caravan-  750 kg it should be. I laughed at the thought of my little diesel car attempting to tow 37.5 tons ! 

    Whilst sales of diesels are currently unaffected I think we shall be discouraged from buying them in the future, starting with the increased road tax on new diesel cars in April.

    It was helpful to hear that a little Clio is effectively towing a small van, and  also as a contributor pointed out,  that years ago they were all petrol cars towing caravans.

    Knowing now from your replies that caravans are still being effectively towed by petrol cars it certainly helped clarify my thinking. I shall strongly consider a little turbo petrol car and hopefully the Caravan Club will soon do some objective assesssments on these, given what is on the horizon. Many thanks to you all.

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited February 2017 #10

    I think you will find the increase in tax in April covers both Diesel and Petrol and is down to the CO2 levels and whether or not the vehicle cost over £40000. It may mean some diesels cost more than at present but only because there is going to be a flat rate of tax of £140 on any car which rises with the CO2 output. This will be £130 for alternative fuel cars.

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