Club 80-90 Forums

Just wondered what the general thoughts are

Mines a 2.1 5 speed, and I'm kinda thinking about towing a caravan, not got one as yet but wondered is it a good idea And what weights are advised.

Im not sure on the legalities of what you can tow weight-wise but I recently towed a caravan weighing about 800kgs with my 1.9dg and to be honest it was a bit of a struggle. On the flat it was ok at 45-50 but as soon as we hit even the slightest hill the van really struggled. I wouldn't normally have even considered towing with my van but we had troubles with our car and the campsite was only 25 miles away. It was also really thirsty, I would be surprised if I got much more than 15mpg

Im not sure on the power difference between a 1.9 and a 2.1 but unless its quite a bit I wouldn't want be towing very far with it

Hope this helps matey

Thanks for that, I now think the limits are low, as the 2.1 isn't that much more than a 1.9,

I will have a re think

I went to collect some firewood today and even that made my 1.9 struggle up the "Suffolk hills"

Gary.pb wrote:Im not sure on the power difference between a 1.9 and a 2.1 but unless its quite a bit I wouldn't want be towing very far with it

1.9DG is 76bhp
2.1DJ is 112bhp

It towed a stripped-down 2cv on my car trailer quite decently.

2.0ltr A/C only 70 BHP when it left the factory no idea after 128k miles. I've towed my 16 cwt (812kg for you younguns) caravan over 2k miles this year just the same as driving a van fully load with bricks, cruises along happily at 60mph you have to anticipate inclines more, drop down the box as soon as the speed drops, steeps hills you are going to go up them slowly because you can get stuck between two gears racing in second but won't pull third, five speed boxes are better with an extra intermediate gear to play about with. Fuel consumption not a lot of difference unless it is hilly terrain the van shields the caravan from most of the wind resistance.