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Hi again folks , I have a slight problem which is......... I run my own Car Company and have a choice of vehicles to fit a towbar too. My choices are :~

Hyundai Trajet ( People Carrier ) - Automatic

Kia Sedona ( People Carrier ) - Manual

I forgot to mention that we have a Bailey Ranger 500/6 so its quite a large van, but I'm really new to this so I would like some advice.

Thanks

 You can look here for laden weight of your caravan (mtplm)

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/bailey.htm

 And here for kerbweight of your car http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm

 Then calculate your caravan weight to be 85% or less to the kerbweight of your intended car, 85% is an advisory rule but a lot caravannnera go by this calculation for safe towing

Hi MandK,

I have an 03 plate Sedona and would definately recommend it. I tow an Abbey Spectrum twin axle (1600kgs all up) with no problems, max towing weight is 2000kg, kerbwieght is approx 2700kgs. I believe both the Sedona and Trajet are very similar vehicles (I think both Hyundai and Kia are part of the same company). The only benefit I seem to recall from memory is the Kia has a 2.9 diesel engine where as the Hyundai only a 2.0 litre diesel.

 OK, so I have my weights....Total weight of van incl payload is 1300...The Hyundai has a max towing weight of 1450 and the Kia is 2000

My initial thoughts lean towards the Kia.........But its a manual !!!

Densopian, what do you drive Manual or Auto ?

Scuba, as a gold member and as you seem to know what the hell you're talking about....What do you say ? Kia or Hyundai ?

As far as the fuel is concerned, theres no point in having my own car company unless the company buys my fuel too ......I know the Kia is a very thirsty motor and I have often complained to Kia about this with no effect. We have 2 Kia Sedona's within our fleet and for our job purpose, probabley the last due to the lack of MPG

Hi , I have an 03 Sedona 2.9 diesel.  only had it a few months but have got over 500 miles on a full tank.  Equates to approx 33 MPG.  I dont think its that bad for this size of car.   Got about the same from my last car Mondeo Estate 2 ltr. 

 What sort of MPG are other Sedona drivers achieving? 

Hi MandK,

My Sedona is a manual and I have no problems at all. As for MPG my wife uses it mostly for taking kids to school, nursery then going into town to work which is all stop start work and we average 30/31 to the gallon which I don't think is bad for a 2700kg bus. When towing the MPG drops to about 26/27 which again with a 1600kg van on the back I don't think is too bad.

HI Mand K,

One thing...I would advise you to have a look at the tax situation if the company pays for your fuel.

I have that option but choose to pay for my own (non business) fuel myself. (Still on the fuelcard but the company deducts a set value per month from my pay).

The tax on "free" fuel is high!

Also if this is your first company car I would suggest you tell the tax offfice of the change straight away, I waited till it filtered through and was paying back tax for blooming ages!

regards

Mr Ulti-Mate