Insurance Quotes

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Consumption
Page: 1 2
Post Reply
via mobile 22/2/2020 at 9:55pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View martin734's Profile View Profile   Reply to martin734 Reply   Quote martin734 Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2019

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   204

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 1 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 2
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 0

A 130 crew cab with a 4.2 V8 from a Range Rover.


17/3/2020 at 9:14pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6898

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Had almost 40mpg from a 2L diesel Mondeo towing ~1200kg. Had the FIL in the car who thought we would die at 60mph.

Usually it was 31 - 33mpg. Surprising what a little drop in speed can do to your mpg figures.

If its the 6 speed, try towing in 5th rather than 6th gear. In 6th gear my Mondeo would not do 30mpg. Drop down a gear and it used less fuel. Probably wont apply to all cars though, depends on the power/torque and gearing.





via mobile 18/3/2020 at 7:14am
 Location: Ayrshire Scotland
 Outfit: Santa Fe CRDi + Swift Conqueror 645
View Supatramp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Supatramp Reply   Quote Supatramp Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1128

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 04/2/2020
31 mpg! I don't get that solo! then again im towing with a 3.1 diesel auto, and pulling 1850 kgs yours sounds about right, but it comes down to driving style too



I never get involved with queries like this, simply because there are so many variables, and the above example illustrates the point.

You'll get people replying with totally different outfits to yours, and then there's driving styles too. There's the wandering Willes who are happy doing 40mph on single carriageways, and not much more on dual and motorways, to the others doing an indicated 62/63 mph on motorways. And by the way, I said "indicated 62/63mph", which will correspond to an actual 60mph, the legal limit on dual and motorways!!



-------------
David.


I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!


18/3/2020 at 10:34am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View ratcatcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to ratcatcher Reply   Quote ratcatcher Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   239

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 2 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 13
Site Nights 2023: 12
Site Nights 2022: 13
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 9

That's just what I was hoping for! what people with different outfits and driving styles think, and it would seem that in general MPGs have improved over the years (as they should)
Our Zafira pulls the van like a balloon on a string but it is always good to get other opinions.

Such is the rich tapestry of life


18/3/2020 at 8:28pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Vision 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9593

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 1 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0

I find that towing southbound on the M5 I will get around 27 mpg. but on return I can get around 31 mpg. I didn't know the reason why till someone on this forum pointed out on a previous thread that geographically it's down to the wind direction up and down the country. Usually the winds travel from south to north so travelling south against the wind affects the fuel consumption in comparison to the wind being behind you. Anyway, that's the range I get which all depends on the wind direction of travel.


Advertisement



19/3/2020 at 12:15pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View ratcatcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to ratcatcher Reply   Quote ratcatcher Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   239

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 2 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 13
Site Nights 2023: 12
Site Nights 2022: 13
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 9

We do the M5 to cornwall quite a bit tango55 as we have relatives there but although I have done it in the MH I haven't yet done it towing the van
Do people still have problems with "caravan alley" or have the problems been overcome over the years?


19/3/2020 at 2:36pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2014 Lunar Cosmos
View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   559

Site Reviews Total: 27
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 3 
Site Reviews 2020: 3 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 16

What's "caravan alley"? This is the first time I've heard of it.

I towed the whole length of the M5 to Cornwall over the new year and didn't notice any scary moments.

(BTW, I didn't monitor the fuel consumption that closely either.)

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


19/3/2020 at 4:14pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Vision 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9593

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 1 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0

I must admit, I haven't heard of 'caravan alley' either. Please enlighted us.


19/3/2020 at 6:48pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View ratcatcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to ratcatcher Reply   Quote ratcatcher Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   239

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 2 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 13
Site Nights 2023: 12
Site Nights 2022: 13
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 9

A stretch of the M5 just south of Bristol curves left around a hillside notably where the carriageways split and the southbound is higher than the north bound, In my younger days the number of caravans that turned over on this stretch gave rise to the name "caravan alley"    Some said it was a combination of wind up the exposed hillside and going too fast on the curve.
Probably not a problem nowadays with better designed vans and stabilisers but I do remember being a bit wary of it


19/3/2020 at 7:32pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4778

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

You mean the Gordano Valley between Avonmouth and Clevedon. I'd have though going to fast down the hill would cause problems along with cross winds.


Advertisement



20/3/2020 at 7:22am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View ratcatcher's Profile View Profile   Reply to ratcatcher Reply   Quote ratcatcher Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   239

Site Reviews Total: 15
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 2 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 3 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 2 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 13
Site Nights 2023: 12
Site Nights 2022: 13
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 9

you know the area much better than me navver, living in Yorkshire I only know it by bad reputation. Which it would appear that it no longer has!


25/3/2020 at 11:51am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6898

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Done Cornwall with the van virtually every year for the past 20+ years.

No issues with towing other than the usual traffic congestion at busy parts/times.

Seen the aftermath of a few accidents, but cannot remember any at that spot.

Usually its a nice drive with a spot the wally towing in the outside lane or those with no mirrors or other stupid drivers.

Drive sensibly, and slower down steep hills than up them.




In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:1 2

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...












    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets


4179 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement


Advertisement

Advertisement