WE OWN A MAZDA 3TS 1.6 LTR PETROL. WOULD WE BE ABLE TO TOW ABI ACE ORBIT, COMFORTABLY. WE ARE CONSIDERING UPGRADING TO CARAVAN FROM TRAILER TENT AND CAN,T AFFORD TO REPLACE CAR AS WELL
I'm afraid I can't find the caravan on the Caravan Club website, but was able to get these details on the car (just check that it is the correct model etc);
Mazda Mazda3 1.6 TS (2004)
Make
Mazda
Range
1.6 TS
Model
Mazda3
Year
2004
Fuel type
Petrol
Transmission type
Manual
Body type
Hatchback
Kerb weight
1257.00kg
Towing limit
930.00kg
Gross vehicle weight
1745.00kg
Gross train weight
Unknown
Nose weight
Unknown
BHP
105
RPM for maximum BHP
6000.00
Maximum torque
145.00
RPM for maximum torque
4000.00
The critical on this is the maximum towing limit of only 930kg, you therefore shouldn't be towing a van of 1000kg... you also need to know whether the 1000kg you quote is the MIRO (empty van weight) or the MTLPM (fully loaded with all your kit). Given that you are looking at a 5 berth van, I would guess that you are quoting the MIRO, making it an even more unsuitable match.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but better to find out before you've splashed out on the caravan!
I wouldn't. We towed a lighter van (850kg) with a 1.6 and it was very marginal on power. When it was just the two of us and we only took a limited amount of kit, it worked OK. But once the kids came along and we started packing stuff for them then hills/motorways/windy days became a nightmare.
So it also depends how many of you there are.
The other thing with caravans as opposed to TTs is that it is not just the weight. The bulk of the caravan makes it much more difficult to tow due to wind resistance and the effects of passing vehicles.
Dunno where you got your info from, Paul but if you do a bit more googling you will find much higher tow weights quoted for the same car. Which tells the op that for the definative & correct answer they should look elsewhere than an internet forum. The cars' handbook for example.
I would think that if the caravan has a max gross weight of 1000kg the car would tow it ok-ish but with a 105bhp petrol engine it will be slow on hills as the other poster has confirmed.
Cars kerbweight...then the MTPLM of the van. If the MTPLM is 85% of the cars kerb weight (and less than the maximum towing weight of the car) then you are ok. Anything above the 85% and you may find difficulties expecially hills. Petrol car will not tow as well as deisel so maybe err on the side of caution and go for slightly less than an 85% match. No point in waiting to find out at lights on a hill that the engine struggles to get you moving on that incline.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I'll stand corrected, but info I posted was a direct copy from the Caravan Club's online outfit matching service, (and I did make the point in the posting that the OP needed to confirm themselves that I had found the correct model etc.)
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 07/6/2011
Start with basic principles
Cars kerbweight...then the MTPLM of the van. If the MTPLM is 85% of the cars kerb weight (and less than the maximum towing weight of the car) then you are ok. Anything above the 85% and you may find difficulties expecially hills. Petrol car will not tow as well as deisel so maybe err on the side of caution and go for slightly less than an 85% match. No point in waiting to find out at lights on a hill that the engine struggles to get you moving on that incline.
Phil
Problem with that is some cars cannot legally tow an outfit at the 85% weight. Some reason the max limit can be much lower.
I used to tow a 4 berth that was 1000Kg fully laden with a 1.6 petrol focus. It towed ok but obviously slowed on hills. Still managed to get me to Longleat and Tenby and all over the lakes from wigan area though and had many happy holidays with it. Providing that the car can legally tow the van then I wouldn't worry too much about the performance as it will be ok as long as you don't expect to be moving like a sports car.
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.
Topic: HELP, SOMEONE
