I just can't believe my ggod luck! And no-one knows just how much this means to me and my family! I couldn't/wouldn't tell anyone for ages because a) I thought it was a wind-up at first and b) I didn't want to jinx anything until we actually had it in our possession. But it's all true!! We collected it on 6th July and managed to tow it home safely albeit slowly! We couldn't wait for our first camping weekend so we even slept in it a couple of times on the drive! Neighbours must have thought we were bonkers.
Finally, we went away in her on the bank holiday weekend and had an absolutely fantastic time. We didn't want to come home:(
However...and this is where you gorgeous people come in...we have a big problem! I think - no definitely - know we have to change our car. It's ok pulling on nice straight roads but struggles on even slight inclines. We probably shouldn't even have towed it home let alone gone away for the bank hol...but we were so excited!
Because we are absolute novices at caravanning (we were tenters) we haven't got a clue what type of tow-car we need. I've read several threads on here and all the advice given to other people asking about weights etc but to be honest, I'm no wiser as to how to work it out:( My brain just can't cope with numbers and percentages! So I wondered if someone could just tell me what car to go for????? Pretty please??? Our current car is a Nissan Serena. It's a 1997 model and is absolutely fantastic for towing our little trailer with all our camping paraphernalia, kids and our lovely big family dog...but it just struggles with the caravan. The details of the caravan are as follows:
It's a Sprite S Line TD 5 berth Musketeer
Single Axle
MIRO:1079kg
MTPLM (lower limit): 1264kg
MTPLM (upper limit): 1300kg
Please, please, please can someone just give me an idea of the types of cars that would pull the caravan and carry 2 adults, 2 children and our Golden Retriever plus other bits and pieces??? (We would have to part ex our current car and we're also skint so would be looking at a cheap swap)!
Thankyou, thankyou so very much in advance of any help and replies:)
Thanks DaveCoaches...it pulls nicely on straight roads but on even slight inclines it struggles to reach 40mph. It's an automatic too...should that make a difference?
As you are complete novices there will be a lot to learn and it's amazing what you can learn from reading the right sort of books. I recommend this one as it contains useful information about towcars, correct loading of the caravan, awnings, gas, water, toilets, electricity and the list goes on and on. A very useful book to have and also for future reference too. People will provide information on weights especially the 85% guideline and noseweights but it's all there in the book so what you read is accurate instead of judging by conflicting advice on this forum especially when it comes to the topic of stabilisers.
You best bet might be to look around for an older diesel Ford Galaxy or the less common VW Sharan or Seat Alambra both of which are same car as Galaxy with same well proven 1.9 VW diesel. Plenty of space & well able to tow caravan.
Yes pretty much any 1.9 or 2.0 deisel tdi will do it. The mondeo would be the obvious choice and lots about so inexpensive. I have also recently used a Passat and a Laguna. Both worked well but watch out for early Lagunas as they suffered electrical problems.
Congrats on your win and whatever you get check the towing capability in the handbook first.
As Lunarvenus say's a 2Lt Turbo Diesel almost anything will be good to tow your outfit.
For a novice caravan tugger(and I can almost see the contributors on this forum queueing up to set me straight on this one) there is an oft quoted 'formula' for how much the car should minimally weigh compared to the caravan.
That formula says that the caravan, laden should not weigh more than 85% of the kerb weight of the car. That means the car, without the wife, kids, dog, luggage BUT does include 75kgs of you and 90% of a full tank of fuel.
Using your figure of a Sprite fully laden of 1300kgs gives a car with a MINIMUM kerb weight of 1530kgs.
That gives you the choice of Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Insignia, Renault Laguna, Citroen C5 and some Picasso's.etc etc. Obviously the better powered models are better for towing as you have already found out.
I won't bore you any further with a list but I'm sure you can see where I'm coming from. The choice is huge out there and is only restricted by your bank balance.
Whatever you do, don't be tempted to buy a car that has the same engine as the above but is smaller and lighter. It is in those circumstances when the tail ie the 'van starts wagging the dog ie car and you finish up being a statistic for Sally Traffic on Radio 2.
Last but by no means least, Congratulations and welcome to the world of tin tenting. Ask away on any subject you like on here and the vast majority of answers will make sense.
------------- How come when some people visit the fountain of knowledge, they only gargle!!!
Hi
We are on our second Nissan and they have both been awful at pulling up hills. Speaking to other Nissan owners it appears they all get up hills 'eventually'. If you like your car, then just keep it.
Hope this helps
Jackie
------------- See the beauty ..... know the creator
When did you pass your driving test?
Won't bore you (just yet) but there are different rules for those who passed their driving test on or after 1st January 1997.
Give us the answer before we ramble on Taa.
------------- How come when some people visit the fountain of knowledge, they only gargle!!!
You won a caravan??? oooooh you jammy beggars! Well done! Cant help with towing as i am a novice too, still learning, so much to take in....loving it though xx
------------- Enjoyed tenting,
Enjoyed trailer-tenting,
Now loving caravanning 😊😊
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: AAAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!! WON A CARAVAN!!!
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