We are considering this car and would welcome any experiences on how it tows! We're considering the 1.6 manual, diesel version and are completely new to towing!
I would be very grateful if you give your thoughts on if this would be a good match to tow our Pennine Sterling Folding Camper (max weight 900kg).
Kerb weight of the i30 is 1350 and nose weight 60kg
If 85% of 1350 is 1147, that would leave us 200kgs for people and stuff - is that right or have I completely missed a trick? Does that sound do-able for 2 adults and 2 children under 3 years old as to my mind that seems a little tight?
The 85% "rule" refers to the weight of the trailer compared with the kerbweight of the car. Unless you are carrying the "people and stuff" in the trailer, you have in fact an excellent trailer to car ratio
If it helps, we're using an i30 Hatchback (which I gather is mechanically identical to the Tourer) for towing our little Elddis caravan at 1100kg. Having towed over the Alps to Italy and back I'm happy to confirm the 1.6 crdi manual is well up to the job. It will even happily pull in 6th gear all day long, although it is definitely more economical in 5th.
My Towbar was made by Tow-trust Towbars, and was fitted for £320.00 inc. VAT, including wiring the two sockets needed for my 'van, with feeds for the 12v Fridge and split charging relay for the Caravan battery. It was fitted by a mobile specialist I've been using for ten years, but it depends where you are. I did get a quote from a specialist about 20 miles away of £290.00, but I couldn't get to them at the time I needed the job. It'll give some idea though.
We did have one hiccup with wiring the reversing lamp (it stayed on all the time - soon sorted) and the Rear Foglamp wouldn't work at all until we discovered the engine has to actually be running for it to work and not just switched on at the ignition!
Don't forget, if its your first time towing, that you're bound to wish it had a bigger engine! Don't be fooled! If you've got the weights right (and I reckon you have) then what you have is as good as you need. I fell for it and bought bigger, several times, right up to 3-litres, and all it did was cost money I couldn't afford.
I have been quoted £700 for a detachable and £630 for a swan neck including fitting. I'm horrified it's so expensive and so much more than yours! I'm told that it's entirely down to the cost of the kit for the new generation Hyundai's. Fitting is being charged at £120 by a mobile guy we've used before which I didnt think was bad.
I'll give your company a call tomorrow to see if I can source a cheaper kit or we may have to rethink the whole thing....:(
Hmmm i called them today also and was told that their product had not been adjusted yet to be able to fit the new shape tourer. I'll give them a call back tomorrow to make sure.
Thank you for all your help!! I really appreciate it!
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