Jaguar XF 2.2D with a 2016 Bailey Unicorn Cadiz ?

UKCheshire
UKCheshire Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited May 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Having spent a few weeks looking at caravans we have whittled down our list of twin fixed beds to the Bailey Unicorn Cadiz. However, when checking the compatability of this combination on Towsafe we have come up against a problem. The results say  "Caution Experienced Towers Only", this looks to be because the Achievable Nose weight is only 5.1% and the Kerb/MTPLM is 85.4%. This has now made us think again as we are new Caravaners. Has anyone out there got experience of our proposed set up, or simply provide any advice. We joined the Caravan Club just this week!

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #2

    if the weight match had come in at 85% and below it would have said it was a perfect match ...... I don't think 0.4% is going to make much difference

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #3

    What hitch weight are you allowed on the Jaguar. We find our Cadiz a more stable tow with 85 kg which is OK on our XTrail. 

  • UKCheshire
    UKCheshire Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited May 2016 #4

    Thanks MollysMummy, SteveL , the Nose Weight for the Jaguar is 76Kg.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
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    edited May 2016 #5

    The weights are not a problem as the 0.4% is of no consequence. The nose weight could do with being a bit higher though and I would look at uprating the suspension if possible.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #6

     ... and I would look at uprating the suspension if possible.

    How can you know what's already on the back of UKCheshire's car? Undecided

  • Burgundy
    Burgundy Forum Participant Posts: 313
    100 Comments
    edited May 2016 #7

    Uprating the suspension won't increase the allowable nose-weight, it only firms up the suspension.

  • DEBSC
    DEBSC Forum Participant Posts: 1,364 ✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #8

    Sorry UKCheshire, not good with the tow ratio, I leave that to the other half. But did want to say that we have been caravanning for years and have had many caravans, now we have a Cadiz and we love it. Can't find anything negative to say about it, all really
    positive. If you can buy a Cadiz and tow safely then I can't recommend it highly enough.

  • UKCheshire
    UKCheshire Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited May 2016 #9

    All, thanks for the responses, I have checked the set up on a couple of other web sites and they report that we have an acceptable match. I think the important point is to be aware of the nose weight effect on handling and load the caravan very lightly with
    food and any other haevy items loaded into the back of the car, behind the front seats with the rear seats down. DEBSC we sat in a Cadiz yesterday and will be buying one at the NEC in Birmingham in October.

  • DJG
    DJG Forum Participant Posts: 277
    edited May 2016 #10

    Best to buy one at the best price, not always at a show. Make sure you already have the best price by phoning around dealers before you get the show "best price". But I am sure you already know this. Oh!, you will be fine with the car/caravan, just keep your speed down, with that Jag you will be at 70MPH before you know it.

  • eddietheeagle
    eddietheeagle Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited May 2016 #11

    Before you update the vehicle suspension you should discuss this with your vehicle insurer.In addition it could be problematical if you come to renew your vehicle insurance with other providers.

    I prefer to tow with a nose weight at around 90 Kg,which is 6% of my max caravan weight and hence I tow with a vehicle with a maximum rated weight of140Kg nose weight,which is handy as I also load up to 2 cycles onto the towbar
    whilst towing.

    However you should be mindful of the specification of the caravan drawbar which in my case is Alco at 100 Kg.

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #12

    Some very good discounts are available at the show, if you can combine these with buying from a dealer close to where you live, you can save both money and time, if it should need to go back to the dealer.

  • Hallsontour
    Hallsontour Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited May 2016 #13

    I towed a Swift caravan with my 2.2 Jag XF (2012) which was on a 80% ratio and 75kg nose weight. The car towed brilliantly, you'd hardly know the van was on the back In most cases. We went all over the UK and spent a time touring France on one holiday.

    We've now sold the caravan to go back to a motorhome again ..... but I still enjoy driving the Jag.

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited May 2016 #14

    I tow a bailey senator with my Jag and realy struggle to keep the nose weight to 75k but because of the lengh and weight of the "s" type I can store every thing under the fixed bed at the rear of the van including a porch awning on the bed,but nothing in
    the front locker apart from one gaslight plastic cylinder, never had a prob with stabillity even going past car transporter's I think it helps having loads of power at your disposal passing trucks in general even on hills and such..

  • UKCheshire
    UKCheshire Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited June 2016 #15

    Hallsontour & Hakinbush, the Jag is a lovely car to drive. We really can't wait to buy the Cadiz, but have our daughters  wedding to pay for and a little 35th wedding aniversary trip to Hawaii to stump up for first. But we plan to buy at the NEC in October.
    Thanks very much for the advice.

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