Hello friends of ours has decided to buy a van, they have £2000 to spend, on 2 berth, however having helped them have a look around it appears they are very limited within the weight ratio. Vauxhall have told them they can tow up to 1000kg, we checked numerous vans on whattowcar.com and every time it says the van is too heavy. We have suggested a Puck, but they dont like them, any ideas of a suitable van for a 1.4. Corsa petrol 2009 model, they are tied into this car due to it being a motability car so changing is not an option for them, thankyou for any suggestions for our friends.
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Only options really are Eriba Puck, next size up Eriba Pan or a Freedom. ie max weight about 750kg. Otherwise look around for older small UK built 2 berth like ABI Maurauder. Towing 1 tonne with a 1.4 petrol won't really give adequate performance for todays' road conditions.
For £2k you would be lucky to find even an 80s Eriba in good nick so that really leaves a 90s Freedom or light weight low spec UK built 'van. Have they considered tow bar cost? An '09 Corsa requires a detachable towbar due to low numberplate & possibly dedicated electrics so budget possibly £300 for that.
We used to tow a 2 berth Luna with a 1.5 Escort. only noticable when going up hills. Have they thought about a Folding Camper ? They are lighter to tow, easier to manage and once set up lots roomier than caravans with no faffing about with seats/beds.
Quote: Originally posted by lozzie on 14/6/2010
they are tied into this car due to it being a motability car so changing is not an option for them, thankyou for any suggestions for our friends.
This is a myth. They can approach motability and advise that the car is not suitable and opt for a bigger car if they have sufficient time left on their current award. Friends of us did this last year without any hassle. I suggest that they contact motability and inform them of their predicament. Maybe they will be pleasantly surprised. They will need permission anyway to fit a towbar.
hi look at going caravans as these are light ones,possibly lightest on the market.must be honest i would not like to tow a caravan with a 1.4 engine.we have one and it struggles full up with people never mind towing.
Quote: Originally posted by lozzie on 14/6/2010
they are tied into this car due to it being a motability car so changing is not an option for them, thankyou for any suggestions for our friends.
This is a myth. They can approach motability and advise that the car is not suitable and opt for a bigger car if they have sufficient time left on their current award. Friends of us did this last year without any hassle. I suggest that they contact motability and inform them of their predicament. Maybe they will be pleasantly surprised. They will need permission anyway to fit a towbar.
Totally agree with Surfer, I think it would be best to approach Motability first, I know of people who have changed the car before the end of the 3 year lease as it was no longer suitable for their needs.
We changed my wife's car after 2 1/2 years due to getting a new wheelchair, needed a bigger car. Motability were great, she was even giving a grant for a bigger car due to the size of the wheelchair.
There was a story on Radio 2 this week, emailed in by a listener:
Man and wife go to a car dealer and ask to look at cars. "Only small cars, mind, as t'wife doesn't like big 'uns!" said the chap. The dealer showed them a selection of hatchbacks and the couple settled on a Fiesta, and then got down to deciding what colour they want, and the extras. At the end of all that the chap approached the dealer again. "How big a caravan will it tow?" he asked...
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Max Towing Weight (braked) 1000 kg
Max Towing Weight (unbraked) 500 kg
vehicle kerb weight
Minimum Kerb Weight 1115 kg
you should be able to tow a van of 1000kg but you wont be able to have anything stored in it, personally i would go with the change vehicle to a larger diesel model
I am quite happily towing a Abi Marauder 400d with a Rover 25, 1114cc. However, I do limit what I load and avoid heavy stuff such as awning, microwave, heavy chairs/tables etc.
I recently changed from a Bailey Scorpio 2 berth and it took months to find a suitable van under the 1000kg limit.
Am really happy with the Abi, hope this helps.
I towed a freedom sunseekeer with a mini metro. Small cars can tow as long as the weights are right. However, you may find light caravans very limiting to live in and may soon wish you had something bigger.
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Topic: Friend towing with 1.4 Corsa ???
