The TAG caravans still fetch a premium and will be quite expensive. For less than £2,000 ( sometimes much less) you can buy a Freedom with a max all in weight of 750 kg. But , you do need to check your car's capability. Forget all the clutch slipping doom mongering.
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
I checked parkers and that said 900kg but i wouldnt trust that.
They had the peugeot 106 down as legal to tow 2.5 tons.
dinkum, Are you saying a 1.4 petrol fiesta can pull away on a steep hill with a caravan and not slip the clutch?
I towed a van weighing a bit over 900kg with my old montego estate 1.6. I went out and bought a bigger car before towing again.
Legal and within limits yes. Try coming out of bridgenorth on that steep hill then stop halfway up.
So no dont ignore the clutch slipping to pull away on a steep hill.
Goto whattowcar.com I put an avondale dart 380-2. I changed the max weight to 900kg.
It said the caravans 100kg too heavy for that car. So it looks like max tow is 900kg.
Dont trust the internet though.
I changed the weights to 900kg max. Says OK now.
It comes out at 82% kerbweight with a rating of 50. 85% would be too much for it.
QUOTE...
The towing performances of this Ford with your Avondale are moderate (performance index = 50).
You may expect rather moderate performances from this outfit. To come along - even on flat roads - you must floor the gas pedal and change gears regularly top gear is seldom applicable.
In my experience , towing from the age of seventeen, a period of 40 years, it is not often, at all, that you have to stop/start on a steep hill. As for clutch slipping, it's mostly down to technique to reduce the initial drive take up. You can avoid most steep routes anyway and plan your trip. I have towed with vehicles from classic Mini 1000 and Peugeot 106 up to 3.0 litre Fords and Audis. No need to put people off right from the start in my opinion. Common sense when towing with a small vehicle helps too. Travel light and dont take your washing machine and 150 litres of water with you. not everyone wants the expense of running a big heavy vehicle.
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Re. the "steep hill" thing - it rather depends where you live!
I know that Crewe and the surrounding area does have any hills (well, maybe a few `bumps`), but if the OP is planning on taking in the majesty of the UK or even further beyond they will encounter hills, and will be forced to stop and re-start on them. No matter which way I bring the van home I have to drag it up a 1 in 8 (thats the easiest route), and expect to get baulked by something at some point.
Yes you can tow with a small car, you could tow with your Fiesta Duratec, but I wouldn`t advise it.
Caravanners get a bad name for holding up the traffic, the last thing you need is to get stuck at a set of lights on a hill and not be able to move off! Quite apart from that, there is both the safety aspect and the fact that if you are towing with nothing in reserve you are that bit closer to an accident or breakdown.
My car is a elderly Cavalier with a 1.8 petrol engine and a truly amazing 90bhp on offer... Back in their day they were rated as tow cars, but nowadays I think not! It struggles with us, our gear and a little trailer behind so I can't begin to imagine how bad it'd be towing a 'van. Although towing with your Fiesta is possible I'd echo other posts and opt for something bigger. Something like a Golf/Focus/307 would allow far greater possibilities for caravanning and be not much larger than a Fiesta :)
I fondly remember my grandfather towing a huge 'van behind his 1275cc Morris Marina many years ago - fast it was not!
Hi. Have you ever seen those Rapido folding caravans. They have solid sides, and fold away into a trailer that could be towed by a 1000cc car if needs be. Go on the internet and look at the Original Rapido Owners Club site.
I just bought a really good Rapido Confortmatic for £400.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Newbie Help Needed!! (2)
not everyone wants the expense of running a big heavy vehicle. 
