Towing a car behind the VW? Crazy?

Post by **pouch** » 28 Aug 2007, 15:25

Hi guys,

I am planning a season of racing in 1998 and need to Tow about a Caterham on a trailer. It would be great to use the VW so I can stay at the track for the weekend. etc .

the Caterham weighs 550kg, no trailer yet.

Given that hills are very leisurely at the moment behind my 2.0 CU Aircooled engine bus do you think I am mad even thinking aout towing?

Or should it be no problem?

I'd apreciate any feedback / experience.
Cheers
Martyn

Post by **SplendiferousII** » 28 Aug 2007, 15:48

Well I must be a lunatic then !!!!!!!!!!!!

As I race a motorcycle and sidecar and use a 1.6d (non turbo) to tow with.

By the time I'm fully loaded with my kit including fuel and jenny for the weekend. I'm probably well over the weight your need.

So yes go for it no worries at all.

My clutch gets a bit of a hammering sometimes and I have actualy once not been able to pull away on a hill - had to get towed off that time.

Post by **nickrroo** » 28 Aug 2007, 16:23

Whats the total weight that can be towed then as I'm thinking the same for next season. An Caterham (or in my case a Lotus Elise) on a trailer would be about 1000kg total on a braked trailer.

Whats the manufacturer specified limit in kg ?

Post by **lambrettalee** » 28 Aug 2007, 16:35

[quote="pouch"]Hi guys,

I am planning a season of racing in 1998 and need to Tow about a Caterham on a trailer. It would be great to use the VW so I can stay at the track for the weekend. etc .

1998!!!bloody hell where am i , back to the future....

Post by **MacAoidh** » 28 Aug 2007, 19:18

It should say in the handbook.
Check the caravan club website for towing advice.
And search around here too.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 28 Aug 2007, 19:45

ta na!

http://wiki.80-90.co.uk/index.php/Gener ... non_syncro

Post by **stevel** » 28 Aug 2007, 20:34

When I was racing regularly I used to tow an MG Midget and later a Westfield on a 4-wheel trailer behind my '82 1.9 DG camper. I've met people at the tracks using the old Aircooled jobbies but don't know how much different they would be.

Mine was not the fastest thing on the road but always arrived. Great for turning up late in the paddock and going straight to bed

.

Steve

Post by **scamperman** » 28 Aug 2007, 20:48

the towing capacity of any car/van is 80% of the kerb side weight of your vehicle.some say 85%(usually caravan dealers to sell more vans!)either way you aren't gonna be racing anywhere.The thing is people tend to think of engine size but it's the braking as any trailer brakes are only a back up to your vehicles which does most of the work.Hope this helps.

Post by **pouch** » 28 Aug 2007, 21:02

Cheers for spotting the obvious mistake, clearly I am planning for 2008

Thanks a lot for the advice, looks like I need a braked trailer

Weight should be no problem and I think I will go for a brake overhall

just to be on the safe side.

Thanks guys
Martyn

Post by **airhead** » 29 Aug 2007, 01:12

The guy who I bought my bay off used to race motorbikes in Mondello park in Ireland. He'd take 2 big motorbikes on a trailer and it had a 1.6 twinport engine. I towed a car with that same van. Pulled like a bloody freight train! I know my 1.6td syncro pulls like a train. Ive towed cars with that too. You'll be fine with a 2 litre engine. Theyre very torquey (no not the place, the twisting force).

Post by **shepster** » 29 Aug 2007, 06:40

1998? i think it's a time machine you need mate!

Post by **airhead** » 29 Aug 2007, 12:40

If you can get a diesel syncro up to 88mph, who knows what will happen?! The contacts on my flux capacitor are corroded though so its not working right!

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Towing a car behind the VW? Crazy?

Towing a car behind the VW? Crazy?

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