1.6L -vs- 2.0L as a tow car

ellie2761

Has anyone any views on towing with a 1.6L over a 2.0L?

I'm looking at the newer Insignia's (2016) and according to the match service an Insignia Estate 1.6 140 bph is a good match.

Can anyone offer any advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

harryb

In my experience I wouldn't go less than 2.0

I'm not saying the model you are looking at is not capable but you may not always have the caravan that you have received a match for. If going for a bigger van in the future then you will need a bigger engine and the way caravan weights are going then even a 2.0 may not be adequate.

flatcoat

Surely the starting point is weight suitability and then engine size considerations? A bigger Caravan may need a heavier car as much as a more powerful engine. 140 horses is 140 horses whether it is produced by an engine of 1.0, 1.6 or 2.0 litres capacity or more albeit I do think the larger the capacity the less strained the engine might be. There is an old Americanism that generally there is no substitute for cubes, (irrespective of how much turbo boosting is applied). However In looking at any engine characteristics I always prefer a long stroke (better for torque) design over short stroke (better for revs) engine and If the 1.6 has a good torque curve I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand, maybe try a Vauxhall forum for comments? 

EmilysDad

It depends what you're towing. But as above, big is best & bigger is better still  😉 If there was a choice of 2000 over 1600 I'd choose the bigger engine but the overall weight of the car is the deciding factor of whether the tail wags the dog, not engine 

Wherenext

We towed for 7 years with a 1.6 diesel engined car and had absolutely no problems with it. Mainly due to the excellent weight ratio between car and caravan (1 ton MPTLM). 

Advantages were mainly when not towing, i.e. lower insurance costs with a smaller engined car, better mpg etc. I worked out that actual towing days were between 10 and 15% maximum of our yearly driving so why pay higher costs for the other 85-90% if the car can tow well with a smaller engine. Really comes down to what the caravan is and what your plans are for keeping the car for the duration of this van. If upgrading then when?

Oneputt

I base my choice on towing mileage, the fact we van all year, the type of terrain etc..  In Europe we often stay on sites that are a couple of thousand feet in height so for us it would always be a larger engine.

old ludlovian

If the car and caravan are of a good weight match just use the gears that's what a manual  gear box  is there for a modern 16 diesle  more than capable of towing the average caravan today  gone are days  when 2 litres  where needed don't  be lazy use the gear box

Oneputt

don't be lazy use the gear box

driving lessons at no extra cost

EmilysDad

What's a manual gearbox? 🤔

ellie2761

Thanks for the replies, I'm still undecided.

Whilst the car I'm looking at is only 1.6L the kerb weight is 1600+ and the match service puts it at 86% so it fits that bill.

I never thought about the insurance being cheaper, I will look into that, thanks.

I use the van for about 5 trips a year and one is a long haul two week duration probably taking in 4 or 5 sites, I currently use a 2.0L but its restricted being a 7 seater and it has an over boosting turbo fault which has been 'doctored' so now lacks power and I dare not attempt to pull the van with it, the fault cannot be fixed (no matter how much I have tried!). I don't plan changing my van, it might be old, but I love it and it fits our purpose hence the need another car to pull it but I also have to consider the other 47 weeks it will be used to get me to and from work so economy is key.

 

EmilysDad

the fault cannot be fixed (no matter how much I have tried!).

Where are you taking this car that the fault 'cant be fixed'? All faults can be fixed, it's just the depth of pocket that might prevent you. My Merc was diagnosed with an over boost fault (as well as something else) a Merc independent quoted me £2500 to fix. I fixed myself for £200 (the £200 was worth a gamble)

ellie2761

Not all faults can be fixed, it is an ECU fault and as they are not programmable it will remain as is, it has been to back to the dealer on numerous occasions and they state 'we can put the parts on but we cannot guarantee it will fix it', it has also been to a multi-million pound diesel specialist who cannot fix it but did suggest a £10 valve, that was fitted and it has kept the car on the road but not enough to pull the van.

Tinwheeler

If the ECU is faulty, it can be replaced. Hence, a fix, although you may need the deep pockets referred to by MM.

 

PS. I’d go for the 2L 

Tinwheeler

Duplicate Deleted User.

EmilysDad

Obviously some ECUs are only fit to be a paper weight, but some ECU faults can be repaired, just off the top of my head BBA reman is one of those that do repairs.

MHG

^this....

Weight and compatibility aside - one of the factors for us when we bought our car - was actually how good it was when not towing - as thats where it spends 45x weeks of the year..