CITROEN BERLINGO TOWING ISSUE

geddy1972
geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited June 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello all.

i am having a problem finding a suitable tow car to replace my aging and very reliable 1994 toyota previa 2.4 petrol automatic.

it has been very relaible and comfortable for the last 5 years of towing and hauling me, my wife and three growing children to cornwall and back each year.

the bad news is it only does around 20 mpg when towing and about the same on weekday trips to the shops and back.

i need a car to replace it that can tow a avondale pearle adonis 1994 4 berth and carry 2 x adults, 2 x 13 year old twins who are almost 6ft tall and an 9 year old who is having growth spurts adn will soon join his brothers.

i have been looking at buying a 20.hdi diesel citroen belingo multispace but when i use the matching tool on this website it says it hasnt enough power to tow it.

i know its only 90bhp but it has the torque of a diesel and weighs less than my old previa.

please can anyone help with any advice on this car or does anyone use one to tow a caravan ?

grateful for any help.

Comments

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited June 2016 #2

    What is the weight of your caravan?

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited June 2016 #3

    I tow with a multispace 1.6L 115bhp 65 plate. Van is 1250 car is rated at 1300 it tows very well indeed and I get 27mpg    at 67 mph recorded

  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #4

    here are my caravan details according to the caravan club matching tool

    Make Avondale
    Range Perle
    Model Adonis
    Year 1994
    Type Caravan
    Berths 4
    Number of axles 1
    MTPLM 900kg
    MIRO 729kg
    User payload 171kg
    Hitch limit Unknown
    Shipping length 5.30m
    Overall width 2.14m
    Overall height 2.45m
    Body Length

    3.96m
  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #5

    my budget is limited to the earlier style citroen berlingo multispace or peugeot partner combi.

     

  • kellysdad
    kellysdad Forum Participant Posts: 73
    edited June 2016 #6

    my budget is limited to the earlier style citroen berlingo multispace or peugeot partner combi.

     

    We used to have a Citroen Berlingo 1.9 diesel on a 55 plate spacious and economical solo but as the saying goes " Wouldn't pull butter off a plate " ! I have seen them towung 2 berth vans but wouldn't recommend towing anything bigger with 5 people on board.

  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #7

    i have looked at the spec sheets for the following vehicles and have come up with an interesting conclusion

    toyots previa 2.4 petrol auto has 135 bhp, torque is 151 ft-lbs, weight of car is 1810kg

    peugeot partner 1.6 HDI manual has 90 bhp, torque is 161 ft-lbs, weight of car is 1315kg

    peugeot partner 2.0 HDI manual has 90 bhp, torque is 154 ft-lbs, weight of car is 1418kg.

    both peugeots are lighter, have more torque, less road tax and are far more economical.

    surely from this info they must be able to tow a 900kg caravan and carry 5 adults !!!

     

    any views please ?

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited June 2016 #8

    I cant see any reason why it wont handle a 900kg van. That is a very light van and the extra weight of people in the car will only help matters imo

  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #9

    that what i thought when i saw the figures. i suppose the only way to find out is to buy one but i dont want to do this just yet.

     

    would love to have a good old chat with someone that uses one to tow wit hand find out the truth

     

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

    Many years ago I used to tow a 900Kg caravan with a car that had an engine output of 80BHP, slightly less than the Berlingo/Partner I know, and it was OK until you met a headwind when I struggled to maintain 40mph. Even with a lightweight caravan, I wouldn't even consider any vehicle that had less than 100BHP as an absolute minimum and I'd really want something north of 120BHP to feel that it was a viable option. Yes, the Berlingo/Partner will do it but I'm not sure that it will be particularly enjoyable.

  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #11

    thankyou for that cyberyacht.

    i think you have just made my mind up for me.

    will now look for something with abit more power.

     

    many thanks for all your views

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #12

    You could always get it remapped.....

  • geddy1972
    geddy1972 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited June 2016 #13

    any idea how to get this done? cost ? pros vs cons ?

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #14

    Do a Google search for diesel remapping in your area, cost around £2/300. Might affect insurance but there are companies who accept it them as an economy modification (ahem). Pros are typically 20-30% improvement in bhp and torque, improve drivability and
    economy. I am a big fan of remapping and never had a problem in 15 years and 9 cars. 

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