We have just bought our first second hand caravan. It's a Avondale Ulysses 4/5 berth 1995 and it's really nice and clean. (would anybody know the wheel size for the spare please). We go and pick it up next Saturday and can't wait to get out in it.
I have left a message about a month ago, about my Laguna 1.8 petrol. I have been in touch with a lot of people over the weight. Max tow in the book reads 950kg. Most agree and say the max tow weight is 950kg. So we have decided to buy another car. If there is anybody out there, that can recommend what we can tow our Avondale Ulysses with, that would be great.
Hope you have loads of great holidays away in your new van!
In regard to your car, basically most good sized 4x4's ie Land Rover, Shogun, Pajero, Nissan Patrol, Fourtrak etc etc will tow just about anything. Alas, they can be quite thirsty. - Big old Volvo's also tow great! (but i am biased) ;o)
Welcome to ukcs hope you enjoy your first van lilke we did, now cant wait for a weekend off to take ours out. Any problems you have wont be a problem if you post them on here........enjoy!!
my first caravan was a sprite muscatere 19 73 we had it up until last year. never let us down. we had some good holidays in it we have up graded to an eldis vouge.
Easiest way to check the wheel size is to look at what already is on the van. On the towing machine, it depends on how heavy the van is and what can be afforded, running costs as well as buying towing machine. Most 4x4's cost a lot more to run than cars. I am about to look for another car as we have just bought a new van, and this one is a lot heavier than the last van. I like my car as it does nearly 60mpg solo and nearly 45mpg towing, but would be towing now at about 100% when van loaded. I have an Audi A4 but now looking for an Audi A6. Do not want the running costs of a 4x4 as I am a high mileage driver. My car's kerbweight is 1240kg, but handbook says can tow up to 1500kg legally. Some makers give a max tow weight lower than the kerbweight.
------------- Reality is an illusion created by lack of alcohol!!
I've got a '97 Ulysses, they're great vans. Tow mine with a SWB Shogun - very thirsty - but the MTPLM is only 1,100 Kgs so you don't need a big 4 x 4. I got the Shogun before the caravan, wasn't sure how heavy a van I was going to get. If I'd got the van first I'd probably have gone for a more economical car, something like a Mondeo, Galaxy, Picasso, Avensis.
According to the handbook the tyre sizes are 175-R13-89R and the pressure is 42. If you need any more info, just shout.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Hi again. Diesel is normally better as usually better torque. Cheaper to run also. Myself and a lot of other people prefer the Alko range of stabilisers. They hitch on as normal, so easy to do. Even my wife can do it without problems.
------------- Reality is an illusion created by lack of alcohol!!
Ive towed with a 1.8ltr Citroen Picasso and a 1100kg caravan and it was quite acceptable. I upgraded to a 2ltr turbo diesel vectra and the expense didnt necesasrily justify the end result.
Id give it a try with the Laguna for a few months before you shell out on another car - if thats your only reason for thinking of a change
Hi Gibbos1 congrats on getting your first van, we've just bought our first van (well it'll be all paid for tomorrow), so we can imagine how excited you are. We looked into the weights seriously, we can safely tow 1153kg with our 1.8 petrol vectra and the laden weight of our van is 931kg. We just can't wait till we can get away for our first weekend. Hope you have many a happy holiday in it
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Id give it a try with the Laguna for a few months before you shell out on another car - if thats your only reason for thinking of a change
I wouldn't do this even tho' it may well tow it because the max tow weight of the Laguna is only given as 950 Kgs. The unladen weight of the Ulysses is 850 Kgs so it doesn't leave much for loading.
Afraid I can't help re the stabiliser 'cos I've never used one.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Subaru Legacy and Subaru Forester have excellent towing reputations. The first is much more like station car, the second too but with stronger 4x4 properties.
From our experience, 4x4's are not the best for towing. Whilst they are great when in slippery conditions like on snow or mud, they are lumpy on the road because of the hard suspension and tyres, noisy and less comfortable than a real car with a modern diesel engine and an auto box.
We tow a folding camper with a VW Golf auto diesel and it is brilliant both with and wuithout the trailer. Previously we had a dico manual and a disco auto but both new, and both were heavy on fuel and not that stable either with or without the caravans.
We often wondered about buying or borrowing a big car like a Ford Granada to compare but sold the lot instead after one fright on the M1.
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: First Caravan
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