Hey I am new to this forum but what I have read here so far has been very useful, thanks :)
I am looking to get my first caravan and am in the process of choosing the towing car. I do not mind the size of the caravan, as long as it sleeps 2 people, has a kitchen and shower/toilet (awning would be preferable too!)
I have an issue of my limitations when it comes to the towing car, for many reasons, such as me only being 19, it being my first car, me having points on my provisional, having held the licence for less than a month, the area I live, to name a few, my insurance is rediciously high, therefore I need a towing vehicle that falls in a very low insurance category.
With this in mind I started looking into a Valkswagon Fox 1.2 which has an unbreaked towing weight of 520kg and a braked of 700kg. Obviously not enough...
So I am in need of advice of a small cheap to insure, cheap to run (fuel efficient) tow car, and a caravan to go with that will work safely together. I am pretty sure that this sounds like mission impossible but I am very determined and will do what it takes. Hopefully someone on here has dealt with a similar problem or knows how to over come it, thanks in advance! :)
I would have thought something along the lines of a diesel Focus or Astra is probably what you seek. Diesel because this has better pulling power for towing. The insurance premium for car will be no different whether you are towing or not. Although it is advisable to inform your insurer that a towbar is fitted your comprehensive insurance will include 3rd party cover for caravan while towing.
There is no legal requirement in UK to insure a caravan as car insurance covers 3rd party risks while towing. However unless caravan is only worth a few £100s it is advisable to insure caravan separately for fire/theft etc.
If you can insure a Focus or similar then you are ok with a caravan up to around 1100kg all up but you need to check spec of car you are actually considering because some models may have lower tow weight.
If you need to go smaller than Focus ie Fiesta or Corsa size then again go for diesel for the pulling power but you will have to limit your choice to very small caravans, say up to 750kg all up weight.
Perhaps a folding camper might suit better? Easier to store and tow - our 6-berth Conway Cruiser has a MTPLM of just 900kg and smaller ones are available. However, you only get dedicated bathroom facilities in certain large ones.
Unfortunately focus for me is a bit too big and insurance too expensive so will be looking at the smaller options. From what I can work out the lightest caravan that does my needs is the Elddis Xplore 302 which weighs 930kgs M.T.P.L.M (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) however I am unsure weather this 930kg is with extra stuff in, or weather when I put my belongings in that weight will go up even more, can anyone clarify?
and thanks for the idea but for me a folding caravan wont do
um from what i can gather as I will pass my test after 2013 I am able to tow anything upto 750kg, and it can be more just aslong as the combined weight is under 3.5tonne, i really hope that I am right about that!
Okay so now I am looking at the Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi SXi Diesel, good on fuel at 64mpg, affordable to buy only issue is insurance :(
regards to towing the caravan it is diesel, it weights 1104kg, 85% of this is 938.5 which is ever so slightly higher than the weight of the caravan and has a towing maximum of 1000kg, so I feel this car is adequate to do the job, am I correct?
Could anyone recommend a car like this that has same towing capabilities but falls in a cheaper insurance band? this one falls under group 7
Instead of a caravan, have a look at a Dandy folding camper. The smaller ones are 500kg when fully loaded and being low down when towing should not affect the performance of the car or fuel consumption.
when erected they are very caravan like with a proper caravan window and solid lockable door. The roof and sides are insulated PVC so are totally wind proof and water proof. they can be used all year round.
Inside you have 2 double beds, one converts to a settee by day with storage for bedding behind. The other is fixed. There is a kitchen with double burner hob and grille and sink and drainer with running cold water.
Not sure on your budget but you can get them from £500 up to several thousand depending on how new it is. Don't be afraid to buy an older one a they do last for ages.
The alternative is a very small caravan such as a Freedom micro light. They are a rather cramped and a small car will struggle to tow it due to the very high wind resistance.
Quote: Originally posted by swoo on 05/7/2016
Okay so now I am looking at the Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi SXi Diesel, good on fuel at 64mpg, affordable to buy only issue is insurance :(
regards to towing the caravan it is diesel, it weights 1104kg, 85% of this is 938.5 which is ever so slightly higher than the weight of the caravan and has a towing maximum of 1000kg, so I feel this car is adequate to do the job, am I correct?
Could anyone recommend a car like this that has same towing capabilities but falls in a cheaper insurance band? this one falls under group 7
With a B licence (no matter when you go it) you can tow a set up with a total max plated MAM/GVW/MTPLM of 3500 kg
If the Corsa as a GVW of 1645 with a towing capacity of 1000 and an empty weight of 1100 then a caravan with a MTPLM of 930 you have a total MAM of 2375 so well under the 3500 limit
The weight GUIDE of 85% is based on an empty car towing a fully loaded caravan ...... is that EVER going to happen ? = NO because there will always be at least one person, the driver in the car
Realistically the car will usually increase the empty weight by at least 200 kg with the people and stuff in it so the 85% of actual vehicle weight will be higher
------------- EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor
Have you considered the Renault Megane? not exactly sure about insurance groups but they do come in a variety of engine sizes with a decent weight limit for towing.
Average maximum towing weight is around 1300kg for the 1.5 and 1.9 diesels, probably a little less for smaller engines.
Added bonus is Renault don't hold their value very well from new so you could get a lot of car for your money especially if buying 3-5 years old.
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Topic: The right caravan and towing car for me
