Hi all. My husband and I have recently separated and he has the car we used for towing our caravan. I am looking to get a new car that would be suitable for towing, my Fiat Punto frankly won't cut it. I have an old girl, a 1981 Eccles Amethyst. Please could you advise on the kind of car I need to be looking at to tow her safely? I may either lease through the NHS or buy second hand, depending which works out best.
Thanks so much.
The first thing you need to know is the max weight (MTPLM) of the caravan. As your van dates from 1981 I expect it will be a lot lighter than more modern versions.
What sort of mileage do you do? Is it all short journeys or is it a mixture of roads and journey lengths? Do you need an automatic? Did you pass your test before 1997?
Come back with some more information and we'll be able to make some sensible suggestions.
Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry but I'm not sure of the Max weight. I'll try to find out but have already failed in sourcing a manual. Would it be on the van anywhere?
I don't imagine I'll be travelling more than 150 miles in one go and most trips will be much less. I unfortunately passed my test well before 1997 and I don't need an automatic.
Thanks again.
What about your day to day use? If you are towing a diesel is usually better but if you do a lot of short journeys a petrol car may well be better for you to avoid all the dpf problems.
I expect your caravan is around 1000 kg but check the plate on the chassis or by the door to make sure. At that sort of weight something like a 1.6 diesel Focus would do the job and be fairly cheap to lease.
Passing the test before 97 is a good thing because you are not restricted in what you can tow. After 97 you are restricted to a gross train weight of 3500 kg unless you pass the towing test, this rules out big 4x4 cars towing big caravans.
Day to day I do quite a lot of mileage, a motorway commute and then lots of short journeys, I'm a community nurse. I imagine a diesel would be the most suitable overall. I'm encouraged that something like a 1.6 diesel focus may be an option. Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.
I had one of those once I think it was 875kg but not certain however I wouldn't think im far out anyway, with that in mind theres plenty of choice may be Focus or Astra diesel make a better towcar but petrol cars can be ok too
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Quote: Originally posted by sandbach68 on 16/2/2016
Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry but I'm not sure of the Max weight. I'll try to find out but have already failed in sourcing a manual. Would it be on the van anywhere?
I don't imagine I'll be travelling more than 150 miles in one go and most trips will be much less. I unfortunately passed my test well before 1997 and I don't need an automatic.
Thanks again.
There should be a plate or sticker somewhere on the caravan, could be on the draw bar or in the gas locker.
I've had a look and the plate says max weight 900kg. Does anyone have a Skoda Octavia? They are a really good price on my NHS lease scheme.
Thanks again
Thanks diesel Steve, that's really useful to know, I've never had a Skoda. What size engine do you have? I'm looking to get a diesel but didn't know if the 1.6 would be enough or I'd be better going for the 2.0.
Thanks.
my 1 st octavai estate was a 1.9 tdi 105 bhp. it towed a swift weighting 1350 kgs down to spain.my other 2 have been octavia scout models, 140 bhp, and 4x4. they can tow upto 1600 kgs. great on fuel solo,over 50 mpg. my partner has a new style octavia estate and daughter has a fabia. all fantastic cars.
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Topic: Car advice please
