Good tow car?
Hi me again sorry.
I've found a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI S DSG 140PS Auto (2009(59)) potential tow car, but on the outfit matching it can't find the Auto version.
So my question is "what weight of caravan can I pull with this safely?"
Thanks again
Comments
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'safely' covers too many varaibles. Your definition and mine may differ as will your experience and confidence, however what is recommended and legal is a diffrent issue! First off try looking up the manual version, the weight will be little different and
I think the CC matching site sometimes lists DSG cars under manual. Also look at 'Towcar' matching website too which has user reviews/feedback. For what its worth i tow a 1600kg t/a van with a 2013 passat alltrack 170 DSG and it is fine.0 -
In that case I strongly recommend you invest some of your budget in a CC towing course before you buy a caravan. I also suggest you research all the weight related threads on here or generally on t'internet for guidance on nose weight, towing weight ratios,
loading etc. AND don't worry if the theoretical weight ratio is slightly above 85%, first of all you simply can't tell the difference below a margin of +/- 10% and it is only a recommendation for beginners. It doesn't have any legal force and it is only used
in the UK. However welcome to the world of caravanning, good luck hunting for your new van, enjoy caravanning and you will find a lot of help from members on this forum. There are sections/threads for beginners and lots of excellent advice available.0 -
http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp?make=Volkswagen&model1=Passat%202.0%20TDI So surprisingly little it would seem. Not many caravans
with a maximum MTPLM that low.0 -
Stick to 85% max of kerb weight. It's a recommendation from the technical departments of both main clubs that has kept caravanners safe for decades. Have a look in the club handbook.
It's not about what you can feel it's what happens when you are going downhill, bit too fast, gust of wind and and a corner. Then it's down to physics and how much weight your car has over the caravan.
That 15% margin won't seem very much at all if circumstances come together and you end up relying on it for your families safety.
But it's your call
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I totally support the view expressed by Fysherman. There are several on here that will disagree and insist that the 85% isnt a rule but merely advice, BUT it is advice given through many years of experience.
Oh Yes there are quite a number who ignore that advice, but sadly quite a few who eventually will have a fright, or worse because they ignored it too. You are especially at risk as a newcomer to towing. Once you have gained vital experience by all means feel free to exceed the limit by a small margine but watch out for Fyshermans's scenario!
TF
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On a similar thread.....my car is only a 1.5 diesel so the caravan can only be very light, MTPLM 878kgs. Should i be worried about being sucked and pushed about on motorways by lorry airstreams? Please.
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As a very light rig you are bound to suffer that problem more than a heavy one. I suggest that you invest in a good hitch stabilisor and adopt the habit of keeping a good look out in your extended mirrors. Its the time when you didnt see it coming and
the HGV bow wave catches you out that you will feel it most. Downhill sections are the worst especially in cross winds.TF
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Thank you for that advise tigerfish.
Makes me wonder if the driving experience will be too terrifying to make it worthwhile.
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No, Don't let us put you off, its a wonderful passtime and many have started with a rig like yours. Just take it steady and get used to towing on ordinary roads first. Get used to the feel of it before venturing out onto the motorways.
TF
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Good advice from TF there. Be sensible and take it easy. You'll be fine.
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Hi me again sorry.
I've found a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI S DSG 140PS Auto (2009(59)) potential tow car, but on the outfit matching it can't find the Auto version.
So my question is "what weight of caravan can I pull with this safely?"
Thanks again
According to the current VW brochure for Passat 2l TDi with DSG the answer is 2000kg BUT you should check with a brochure for your model year....bound to be one somewhere on the web!!
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To be rather more helpful the kerb weight of the car about which the OP is enquiringly is quoted around 1470kg subject to exact specification. The towing limit is given as 1800kg HOWEVER the 85% advisory towing ratio for inexperienced caravanners will be
about 1250 kg or there abouts. Please do not get your underwear knotted if it is a Percentage point or two adrift. And for those who are fixated on the 85% as being some sort of CC religious commandment I am still waiting for evidence that caravan accidents
in the UK only occur on outfits above 85%......0 -
Thanks tf. Going to see a van tomorrow & hope to find a place on the cc course asap!
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Hi me again sorry.
I've found a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI S DSG 140PS Auto (2009(59)) potential tow car, but on the outfit matching it can't find the Auto version.
So my question is "what weight of caravan can I pull with this safely?"
Thanks again
According to the current VW brochure for Passat 2l TDi with DSG the answer is 2000kg BUT you should check with a brochure for your model year....bound to be one somewhere on the web!!
Sorry but this is wrong.
The 2000kg quoted is the theorectical figure the car manfacturer estimates the car can tow without suffering damage or componant failures such as the suspension or clutch. It is most certainly NOT the figure the car can safely tow a caravan. This figure causes more confusion than anything else and certain dealers use it to sell totally unsuitable cars and caravan combinations.
85% of kerb weight is the recommended maximum of loaded caravan to tow safefully especially for anyone unused to towing.
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And for those who are fixated on the 85% as being some sort of CC religious commandment I am still waiting for evidence that caravan accidents in the UK only occur on outfits above 85%......
An accident can occur to any outfit (as I am sure you know) depending upon the prevailing circumstances.
No one is going to drop "evidence" on your lap. If you genuinely seek evidence that 85% is a sensible recommendation (or not) then you know to contact the technical departments of either of the clubs and/ or read the research into caravan stabillity done by the University of Bath and the University of Bristol.
They will provide the proper objective researched evidence that you seek and are devoid of personal opinons.
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I totally agree with Fysherman. I have been towing since about 1976 so do have a little experience. Flatcoat is technically correct in saying that the 85% figure is not a rule, that is true, but it is a very sensible guidline, and not one that I would ever advise someone new to towing to ignore. To suggest otherwise is to encourage prospective new caravanners into an area of unnessessary danger.
TF
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I cannot help but notice that posters that do not hold the 85% in any great esteem also have cars and caravan combinations that do not meet the recommendations.
Best to take notice of what the impartial advice of technical experts might be on this matter.
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I have towed for a very long time with numerous cars.
I have been well below 85%, around 85% and for the last six years towed over 90%.
The difference in the ratio is totally indistinguishable, in fact my present car and the one before have been the most stable towcar i have ever had, so much so i'm going to an even higher tow ratio either next year or the year after.
I also know a newbie who has towed near or over 100% since he started caravaning.
Towing around 85% is sensible for a newbie, but no guarantee of a stable tow.
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There are never guarantees when towing, but there is impartial advice from well qualified independant experts.
It's not about what you can feel, its about the margin of safety when you need to rely on the cars weight getting you out of trouble if circumstances demand it.
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No its not i would sooner listen to others who actually tow higher ratios, than an expert who never has. Or has tried with an unsuitable towcar.
The choice of towcar is more important than ratios. IME.
I very much agree that the choice of towcar is important but cannot in all honesty agree that it is sensible to listen to advice from individuals that have chosen to disregard the advice from those better qualifed to give such advice..
There seems to be a lot of beginners at the moment all confused as to what is safe and is not safe. Lets sing from the same hymm sheet and keep these newcomers safe until they can make their own minds up based upon some experience.
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