We are tent campers thinking about moving up to a folding caravan, which would weight 1000kg fully laden. We also have 2 adult bikes on the back of the car (which potentially could move to the roof), 2 small kids and small bikes in the back, clothes etc. Will our car manage this without problems?
The spec from the manual and on the plate in the car says that our car can tow trailer 1200kg (up to 12% gradient). The other details are:
Not driven the Touran, but I have driven a 1.6 Golf (courtesy car) which even solo was a real sluggard, and TBH I wouldn`t have wanted 5 adults in it , let alone towing anything.
You might get away with it in relatively flat areas, but with the load you are proposing to put in it as well visiting Wales, Scotland, Yorkshire etc would be not be journeys to be enjoyed.
Towing a caravan/trailer and putting bikes on the back could quite easily put your rear axle limit over the legal maximum.
2.5 tons plus and only 100bhp, Rather you than me. I prefer a bit more power. I presume it will be geared lower than cars i have had though which will help.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. I think if I sum this up then it's ok but will be sluggish. I would love to swop to the diesel but we cannot afford it at this point. I take your point about the rear axle weight, and had thought that if we do make the move from tent to FC then it will mean we will not need the roof box so could move the bikes up there, so not affecting rear axle.
I have towed a FC with a max weight of 900kg with a 2004 1.6 civic and a 2004 1.8 Nissan Tino with no problems and both cars coped with relative ease, although i'm not sure how these compare to a 1.6 7 seater Touran. Due to the low height of a FC when towing there is much less wind resistance and I hardly felt the effects of lorries over taking or cross winds, the outfit always felt stable. I now tow a caravan and this feels very different (even with a bigger car), side winds and lorries are much more significant and so far I am not relaxed when towing.
Try Whattowcar to compare outfits, however, they don't do FCs so you will have to find a small caravan of 1000kg to give you some idea.
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Topic: VW Touran 1.6S petrol (7 seater)
