Which car to tow my caravan?

Lambrettaman59
Lambrettaman59 Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited March 2018 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have a Bailey Unicorn Valencia 2011 model with MTPLM 1565kg and a payload of 156kg.

Am looking to change my car to suit towing this caravan. Any ideas of the make and model that would be suitable for somebody new to caravanning. Have been told by technical support I need a car with 1841 kerb weight.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Should I change to an entry level motorhome or consider a lighter caravan than the Bailey.

Thank you.

Mike O'Reilly 

Comments

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited March 2018 #2

    That's a very broad remit, it really depends on your budget as there are plenty of vehicles to choose from.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #3

    That’s a reasonably weighty van so needs a decent sized towcar.

    Car / lighter van / MH? Only you can decide, L59.

    When you've made your choice I’m sure people here will give pointers towards cars or LVs on your short list.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2018 #4

    what I would say is think about the future. you say your new to caravanning and have a van already so if the touring bug gets a grip you could/might like a bit larger/heavier caravan in years to come so if you have a vehicle that's capable of towing more heavier vans you will not have to change it when you next change the van. find something that you like to drive and not what others say you should have. consider the auto market over manual as you will not regret that choice.

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
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    edited March 2018 #5

    The payload is irrelevant as it is included in the mptlm. The club's guidance is that the kerb weight of the van is 85% of the car, but that is just guidance and anything up to 100% will be fine.

    You need to be a bit more specific about how much you want to spend and what you are looking for: SUV/estate/petrol/diesel/Manuel/Automatic etc.

    If you read related threads on this and other forum the accepted via is that there is no substitute for ample bhp and torque. 

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited March 2018 #6

    The Valencia is a pretty lumpy van so the first thing I'd be looking for is a nose weight limit of around 90 or 100 KGs and as you say you need around 1800 unladen weight, plenty about which will fit I just had to upgrade after going from a Senator to the heavier challenger 580, so now have a freelander 2, seems to fit the bill nicely..H

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #7

    The payload could be relevant in this case if for instance a family, as its quite a small payload I would be wanting a car that would be capable of carrying quite a bit of gear, so a large estate or 4x4.

  • alfigone
    alfigone Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited March 2018 #8

    Hi Mike, 

    As others had said that's quite a wide remit! However I have owned that van from new, and in the past 7yrs have towed it with the following cars. Saab 9-3 sport wagon tid, Volvo V70 D5 rdesign & currently a XC70 D4. 

    The Saab was close to 100% both for weight ratio & towing limit, but did have enough power (torque). The V70 was about a 88% match, and had more than enough power, the XC70 is about a 83% match, and although it is less power than the V70 still has more than enough.

    The Saab only had a 75kg nose weight, the Volvos have 90kg, but I've never had an issue getting close to those figures, although we have the wrap around seating in the van.

    The Volvos have been great tow cars, the Saab was a bit to close to the limits, but still towed well. 

    As you say you're new to caravanning people will tell you stick to below 85% for you weight ratio, hence finding a car around 1800kg, but it is purely a recommendation and lots of other factors will determine how well your outfit tows including your own confidence and ability.

    Hope that helps. 

    Paul

  • Lambrettaman59
    Lambrettaman59 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2018 #9

    My thanks to all of you for your advice. 

    Your comments have been very reassuring as I began to think that neither my van nor car were able to do the job although I have been towing, but not on very long distances, for a couple of years.

    Think I will stick to the outfit I have for another season and see how it goes. Our van is never loaded but we do always put all the gear we need to take with us, in the large boot of the honda.

    Thanks all

    lambrettaman59. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #10

    One of the important weights to consider is the nose weight

  • Jacbear
    Jacbear Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited March 2018 #11

    Have towed the Valencia series 1 with two different tow cars - A Freelander 2 which was excellent and note the noseweight which is a factor !

    Also a 5 series tourer , 520 d , very stable and capable but I am not a fan of the factory electric bar .......

    Agree would look at getting at least circa 1800 kg , its a heavy van.

     

    Thanks

     

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited March 2018 #12

    I assume your licence is pre-97..? If that being the case you have an extremely vast choice of vehicles that would tow that Van. If you are happy with the Van - i'd stick with it.

    Another question to consider is  - is your tow car also your main everyday car too...?

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