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Topic: Newbie question

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Owayne

03/11/2012 at 8:58pm
Location: Exmouth Devon
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Hi,

I am looking to buy a caravan, I have towed a folder in the past and never worried about towing limits as it was so light. We are now looking at trading up to a 2 berth caravan.

The problem is that I am not sure what weight van I can tow, not a lot I expect, I have a Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTI, what is the max I can tow? or where could I find out?

Andy.

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AndyP

Grampian91

03/11/2012 at 9:29pm
Location: Midlands
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Check your log book (V5C)

Looks like its 1200kg. BUT... your engine may only produce 73bhp.

73bhp and 1200kg will be a lot of gear changes.

So the caravan must have a gross laden weight of less than 1200kg or lower if the figure in the logbook says different.

bobmel

03/11/2012 at 10:00pm
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try this site

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Robert (BoB)

Owayne

03/11/2012 at 10:24pm
Location: Exmouth Devon
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Thanks guys, thats really helpful :)

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AndyP

tango55

03/11/2012 at 11:07pm
Location: Lichfield
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What year is the Vauxhall Meriva and is it a diesel manual or automatic gearbox?

Opensauce

04/11/2012 at 8:25am
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Get a 2berth caravan less than a tonne all up weight & you will have a good match with reasonable hill climbing ability. The caravan you want will be an older model of about 12ft body length.

tango55

04/11/2012 at 10:15am
Location: Lichfield
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 03/11/2012
What year is the Vauxhall Meriva and is it a diesel manual or automatic gearbox?

Auto and manual gearboxes plus different year models can have different towing limits that's why I asked. Once given this information I can check to see what the towing limit is on that specific vehicle.

Owayne

04/11/2012 at 5:14pm
Location: Exmouth Devon
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 04/11/2012

Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 03/11/2012
What year is the Vauxhall Meriva and is it a diesel manual or automatic gearbox?
Auto and manual gearboxes plus different year models can have different towing limits that's why I asked. Once given this information I can check to see what the towing limit is on that specific vehicle.

Thanks, the car is 2006 model with manual diesel.

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AndyP

tango55

04/11/2012 at 7:23pm
Location: Lichfield
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On a 2006 manual 1.7 diesel Vauxhall Meriva, the minimum kerbweight is 1405 kgs. with a maximum towing limit for a braked trailer of 1200 kgs. The engine power is 100 BHP with engine torque of 177 lbs./ft. but the downward towball weight limit is only 50kgs. which could cause a problem trying to reduce the noseweight of the caravan. Working on these figures the outfit match would actually be 85% which is ideal so you would need to be looking for a caravan with an MTPLM of 1200 kgs. maximum. According to my findings it doesn't look like they manufacture a fixed flange towbar for models between 2003 - 2010 so you may have to have a detachable or slide in bolted towbar so double check this with your local towbar supplier first as the price will however be more expensive for either of these towballs.

Owayne

04/11/2012 at 9:33pm
Location: Exmouth Devon
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Thanks, I already have a tow bar fitted. From what I have seen I can actually get a 4 berth van at that weight not many of them so it will take a bit of research.

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AndyP

Grampian91

05/11/2012 at 3:47pm
Location: Midlands
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You can get a 6 berth twin axle with a gross of 1200kg.

But you may need something a bit older or less well equipped.

If you have the 73bhp model you maybe looking for a more powerful car after you hit the 1st hill.

Almost doubling the cars weight remember.

evenstephen

05/11/2012 at 4:12pm
Location: None Entered
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Just make sure to check the noseweight limit. Our 2006 Meriva was only 50kg and I think that applied to all versions.

Owayne

05/11/2012 at 10:13pm
Location: Exmouth Devon
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Thanks for all the info guys, will give me something to mull over in the dark winter evenings.

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AndyP

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