Towing with a Dacia

jbruce2054
jbruce2054 Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited March 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

is anyone towing a caravan with a Dacia Duster 4x2?

My dealer where I am purchasing a caravan from has advised me that one with a total weight of 1237 is suitable for a Dacia to pull although the recommended weight for the car towing is 1200.

As I am completely new to caravanning, any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    You would be towing at near enough 100%. Not recommended for beginners. As a ball-park spec, you need to be looking at a car around 1400Kgs 110BHP min with Torque figure in excess of 200Nm. preferably from lowish revs around 15-1800rpm.

  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
    100 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    I like the Duster, but it is a fairly light car. As you are new to this, you might find the tail wagging the dog here, and you may want a bit more power.

    I would go for a car slightly bigger or heavier. A Skoda Superb perhaps - maybe (without checking) an Octavia? If you want to stick SUV look at the Honda CRV, Nissan Qashqai (they did a 2.0 until very recently), or even better, a Toyota Rav 4.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Forum Participant Posts: 3,579
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #4

    Your problem seems to be a salesman determined to sell whatever. The recommendation for inexperienced drivers is the caravan MTP,M should be no more than 85% of the tow cars kerb weight although a bit higher should not be a problem. Caravans should not be
    heavier than the tow car even for experienced drivers. I am assuming your 1200 figure is the cars weight.

    If the 1200 is the manufacturers towing limit then towing more than that is illegal and should not be done and leaves you liable to prosecution and invalidating your insurance cover..

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited March 2016 #5

    Just to give you an idea of weights. My last caravan had a mtplm of 1,230kg, my Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 has a kerbweight of 1,495kg giving a tow ratio of 82%, my new caravan has a mtplm of 1,318kg giving a ratio of 88%. Engine torque is 320nm / 1,750-2,500rpm
    so pleny of pulling power and very stable when towing.

  • ScreenNameCFD0B2F54E
    ScreenNameCFD0B2F54E Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited March 2023 #6

    I'm looking to purchase a SUV vehicle to pull my 2 birth caravan 1000kg. I presently use my peageot 308 deisal  which pulls ok but my trip to the lakes last year was a bit of a struggle in parts. Was looking at the Darcia Duster at a comfortable cost for my budget, am I right that this vehicle is a good tow car any suggestion/advice is welcome.😀

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2023 #7

    The Duster didn’t exactly overwhelm the posters above in this 7 year old thread.

    Is the 1000kg of your caravan it’s all up loaded weight (MTPLM)? What is the kerb weight of the Duster? You need to ideally be looking for a car with a kerb weight of about 1200kg if your van's MTPLM is 1000kg and the heavier the car the steadier the towing experience will be. You also need to match the nose weight of the van with the car and make sure you don’t exceed the car's gross train weight.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2023 #8

    I think the general feeling on this one is the Dacia is not the best choice, no matter how good it may look. This is a bit of shame as I know one owner of 6 years and they are very happy with the car, but do not tow a caravan with it.

    Unless you have the car already I'd be looking elsewhere.

    If this is the case do you actually want an SUV. If you do the a 2nd hand Skoda Karoq would be my choice. Also it would not be the diesel, unless you do a LOT of miles, but the excellent 150bhp 250N/m torque 1.5 Petrol. 

     

    Colin

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