Insurance Quotes

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Towing with a Honda Civic 1.8 petrol
Page: 1 2
Post Reply
19/4/2022 at 8:59am
 Location: Leigh on sea
 Outfit: None Entered
View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6754
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 4 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

The answer to your query is yes you can tow the average 2 berth caravan.

Have a look at the Trigano Silver range, all of which are suitable.
Some of the smaller Eribas with also do fine.


via mobile 19/4/2022 at 9:06am
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Janiceiacob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Janiceiacob Reply   Quote Janiceiacob Quote  
Joined: 17/4/2022

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   8

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Thank you so much everybody . Thanks Rob thanks Flat at , navver it’s very helpful to me and I really appreciate your help. Big Thank You


19/4/2022 at 2:15pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2014 Lunar Cosmos
View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   559

Site Reviews Total: 27
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 3 
Site Reviews 2020: 3 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 16

Hi Janice

Rob and Tina have essentially given you the right advice, but hopefully the below will help you understand the issues.

Legally, there is only one weight that matters and that's the manufacturer's towing limit for your car. Calculate this by subtracting the first figure on your car's VIN plate from the second, to give (3150-1750) = 1400kg in your case. You should assume that you can't legally tow more than that. (Strictly speaking, there are circumstances in which you can, but I'll gloss over these because it's rarely sensible to do so.)

However, the problem here is that none of what the law says makes any specific reference to caravans - only to 'braked trailers'. The towing limit is based on the weight of a trailer (not a high-sided caravan) that the car can physically move from a standing hill start. It has absolutely nothing to do with what the car will comfortably cope with in normal road conditions, or whether a caravan of that weight will be stable. Bear in mind that caravans are inherently less stable than most other types of trailer (being high-sided and typically longer) as well as often being towed for longer distances and at higher speeds.

The caravanning industry recognises this, and therefore advises - but it is only advisory, and not a legal requirement - that the actual towed weight of a caravan (note: NOT necessarily the MTPLM, although in reality they'll probably be close) should not be more than the kerb weight/mass in service of the car (the two terms are used interchangably). For those new to towing, the recommendation is that the weight of the caravan should be somewhere in the region of 85% of the car's mass in service. However, it's worth noting that the recommendation really is that crude, and it's certainly not the case that a stable tow is guaranteed at 84% but that problems are inevitable at 86%, or even 90%+.

So to try and apply this advice to your car. The mass in service is not stated, but given that it's advice only we can afford to use a bit of common sense and judgement. We know from the VIN plate that the maximum permissible weight of the car when fully loaded is 1750kg, and if we assume a payload of 500kg (which is typical for a car of this size) this gives us a figure of 1250kg for mass in service, and an 85% ratio of 1063kg. You probably won't even feel the difference of an extra 37kg and could therefore comfortably round up to 1100kg, which is well within your legally permitted limit. You should have a reasonable choice of small 2 berth caravans within that weight range, particularly if you're happy to look at an older one which tend to be lighter.

Something else to bear in mind, which has nothing to do with any of what's been said above is your car's engine performance. My understanding (though I may be wrong) is that the Honda VTEC petrol engine is known for delivering the peak of its power at high revs. That's great if you want a sporty drive on a country road, but not so great if you're towing a heavy trailer. Put simply, you'll probably spend more time in lower gears with the engine revving its nuts off. That's probably not the end of the world for relatively short trips, but if you're planning, say, a long journey across Europe you might be happier with a different car (probably a diesel).

I hope this makes sense!


-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


20/4/2022 at 6:47pm
 Location: Foothills of the Pennines (East side)
 Outfit: Elddis xplore 302
View Flat at's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flat at Reply   Quote Flat at Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2014

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   143

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Janiceiacob please accept my apologies for giving misinformation. I forgot that the 85% guide refers to the kerbweight of the towing vehicle, not the tow limit. Again I apologise.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:1 2

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.


5942 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews

[Contact Us



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement


Advertisement

Advertisement
Roofbox