We currently have a Renault Captur 1,5 diesel. It's only a 90bhb but has a reasonable 162lb of torque which comes in fairly low down. We tow a Gobur Carousel folding caravan which is well within the Captur's capacity.
We are due to change and are looking at a similar sized car but would prefer petrol. Almost a have-to really as there are fewer vehicles in this size range with diesels than there used to be. BHP seems fine and some do have a similar reservoir of torque but does that torque behave similarly to diesel or am I going to be constantly changing down to stay in the "power band".
I'd really appreciate feedback or recommedations from anyone who uses a smallish petrol car for towing.
the issue with a captur is its towball limit which is only 60kgs, I doubt you would find a caravan with a nose weight that low, ok so your going to be changing the car but if going for a similar size then I suggest you carefully check out the nose weight issue of both the car and the trailer as this may be exceeded
These are from Practical Caravan's site, I couldn't find anything on the Renault main UK site. Point taken about checking the nose weight though:
Technical specs
Engine size 1461 cc
Kerbweight 1245 kg
Towball limit 75 kg
Maximum towing limit 900 kg
Power 89.0 bhp
Torque 162.0 lb ft
Official MPG 76.4 mpg
CO2 95 g/km
30-60mph 17.6 seconds
30-0mph 11.2 m
can I also point out that after taking a close look depending on which model of caravan you actually have and the exact model of your car according to the vin plate, you have a high possibility of already exceeding the legal towing weights for your car, if you post all the info from that on here we can advise more fully
We have just bought a Mini Cooper convertible, its a 19 model with 1.5 turbo 3 cylinder petrol engine.
It is very responsive and pulls really well in all gears. Economy over 40mpg.
Mini do a range of models not cheap but well made ( It's a BMW really!)
We don't tow with it as we have a Santa Fe to tow our 7m caravan.
However there are lots of cars with the small turbo petrols such as VAG group, Skoda, Seat etc.Kia and Hyundai do them now and Honda.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 31/10/2019
can I also point out that after taking a close look depending on which model of caravan you actually have and the exact model of your car according to the vin plate, you have a high possibility of already exceeding the legal towing weights for your car, if you post all the info from that on here we can advise more fully
MIRO 685kg. Payload at most 75kg: total 760kg. Max Permissible Laden Weight 900kg. My Captur model maximum towing weight 1100kg. Thankfully I checked all this before buying the caravan. Thanks again for your input.
I have towed a Trigano Rubis 310 for the last 4 years (750kg ) with a Skoda Fabia Estate 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine with DSG auto box.
Pulls well and had no problems even on steep hills. The auto box makes all the difference for towing and is worth paying the extra for this option.
I tow a largish 4 berth Lunar (MTPLM 1310Kg) with my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso with the 1.2L 3cyl turbo petrol engine and it's fine. Been to Wales, Devon, and Lake District, among many other places, done around 3000 miles over last 18 months, so been up a few decent hills and no problems, also done 350 mile long trips without any strain. Cruises in 6th gear much of the time, returns 28-31mpg, enough 'go' to overtake lorries comfortably and pull out into moving traffic, happy to cruise at 60mph (it would do a lot more!!! - I use the speed limiter/cruise control to stop it creeping up too high as it's VERY easy to find yourself going much faster than is wise!).
Engine is common to many PSA Group cars (Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall) with both manual & auto gearbox, so almost certainly a model to suit your needs. Comes in a couple of power outputs, mine's the 130hp with manual gearbox. Your Gobur is much lighter than my van, and much lower profile (less wind resistance), the power/torque from this engine would be perfectly capable of towing it with ease.
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Topic: Small Petrol Car Advice Please
via mobile 31/10/2019 at 9:28am
