We started looking for a caravan weeks ago, we've spent every weekend at caravan dealers (a truly fab way to spend a day I might add) and I've been scouring the internet and caravan mags to make sure we get things right..
I'm totally flummoxed...we have an 08 vauxhall Zafira Exclusiv (manual) and we are a family of 5 (mum, dad and 3 kids) I thought we'd racked it with an Adria Altea 542 but I think that's about 110 kgs overweight.
We have about £5-£6k to spend on a caravan and can't really afford to change cars so my question is...what can we tow (safely, legally, practically) with the car we have?
I know it's the $64000 question and the seasoned among you will be cursing me but we can't afford to get it wrong and the information out there is incredibly varied and confusing. If any of you can recommend a van or give me an idea of the makes and models I should be looking at I'd be very grateful
have a look in your hand book you need the kerb weight for your car it is in there some where the rule is (but not the law) 85% of your kerb weight should be weight of van
you can go slightly over this be better if you had towed before to do so and i would strongly advise going no where near thye 100% if you intend to stop in a rush some time!!!!
i know i am about to be shouted at for saying you can go over the 85% rule but it is not law and im sure a 40 foot artic trailer loaded is not 85% of the weight of the unit pulling it yes differenty i know but just an observation i have made!!!!
have a look in your hand book you need the kerb weight for your car it is in there some where the rule is (but not the law) 85% of your kerb weight should be weight of van
you can go slightly over this be better if you had towed before to do so and i would strongly advise going no where near thye 100% if you intend to stop in a rush some time!!!!
i know i am about to be shouted at for saying you can go over the 85% rule but it is not law and im sure a 40 foot artic trailer loaded is not 85% of the weight of the unit pulling it yes differenty i know but just an observation i have made!!!!
Comparing an artic and a caravan is nonsense. First an artic trailer has the wheels at the back not the middle which has a great impact on stability, as does the coupling over the rear wheels of the tractor unit. Second an artic trailer uses air brakes on all it 4/6/8 wheels which are vastly more effective than drum brakes. Thirdly the artic tractor unit is built and designed to handle the full weight of the loaded trailer.
Check your manual or take the vehicle to a weigh bridge so that you can establish your kerbweight. Online sources seem to indicate the following but for some cars we have been finding these sites inaccurate so don't rely on them.
1.8 Auto
2005
1400
1190
75
1200
So your kerbweight is 1400 kgs, 85% of that is 1190 kg, the noseweight is 75kg and the max tow as dictated by the manufacturer is 1200 kg. If these figures match those in your hand book then you do not want to buy a van that, when fully laden with your equipment and belongings, weighs more than 1200 kg.
Phone Vauxhalls help line, we had a zafira and were told by the car dealers that we couyld safely tow 1200kg but what he failed to mention was that vauxhall have put a restiction of 1000kg on zafiras so unless they have changed it in the last year I would be very carefull, Its worth the price of a phone call to find out direct from the horses mouth so to say. when we found out we changed car and then up graded our caravan as well. take care. Bill
------------- Bill n Kay
............................
when the going gets tough... get someone else to do it.....
I smile besause I have'nt a clue whats going on... appreciate everything in life especially your friends...
Quote: Originally posted by bill + kay w on 06/7/2009
Phone Vauxhalls help line, we had a zafira and were told by the car dealers that we couyld safely tow 1200kg but what he failed to mention was that vauxhall have put a restiction of 1000kg on zafiras so unless they have changed it in the last year I would be very carefull, Its worth the price of a phone call to find out direct from the horses mouth so to say. when we found out we changed car and then up graded our caravan as well. take care. Bill
Good advice.
We are on our 3rd Vauxhall and on each one the towing weight imposed by Vauxhall was less than the kerb weight.
A phone call or visit to your local main dealer should put your mind at rest.
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left - Seasick Steve 2008
The max tow weight (when the towcar is fully loaded) on current shape Zafiras is the difference between the top two numbers on the weight plate found on the drivers door shut.
so i totted up and subtracted one from the other and ended up with 1375kg towing weight the funny thing here is on my V5 it states max braked towing weight is 1300kg
We had an 07 plate 1.8 petrol Zafira. We towed a MTPLM 1245kg Abbey with it. OK but it struggled on the hills. We traded it in (straight swap + £500) for 53 plate Terracan. Best thing we ever did.
Had an update from vauxhall the weight is 1300kg but you can go up to 1375kg legally they list it this way so you don't max out the car vauxhall don't half make it hard to work out weights
Citroen have always been a nightmare too and who else was it, um Renault. The Espace ..... members had untold weight issues if memory serves. Max tows really low in comparison to kerbweight.
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Topic: what CAN a Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 tow?
