Vectra 1.8i VVT Estate for towing caravan???

[fastbatard]

Hi,
Well I've just put down a deposit on a Vectra 1.8i VVT Estate 2007. I was impressed with how the car looks and drives and the space inside is vast! Factor in the price and I feel like I've robbed the dealer!

My one slight concern is that we tow a caravan for approx 1,000 miles a year and I'm wondering how this car will cope. It's max towing weight is stated as 1300kg and our caravans max weight is 1100kg so going on the figures all seems well.

Our previous car was a Citroen C5 HDi and whilst the Vectra has 30 more bhp than the C5 its torque is considerably less.

So, does anybody have any experience of towing with this car? I'm not expecting fantastic performance, just the ability to do 60mph on motorways and be able to get up hills without killing the car!

Thanks in advance. I look forward to much Vectra-C.com browsing!

[fastbatard]

Oh dear did I mention the c word guess I should look on the caravan forums for the towing info!
Looking forward to picking the car up next week and seeing if the cruise control actually works!

[Vectra-Dog]

I've not got experience of towing with my VVt, but low down torque is not it's strong point so you my have to get prepared for lost of revs and gear changes. This is the only way to get the best from this engine. imo

[rjw]

i dont know about the petrol versions, but the 1.9cdti is excellent for towing on of those "C" things. on a recent trip i counted no less than 75% of the "C" towing cars at the park were cdti vectras, so a good sign there

[paulvectrac]

to be honest its a bad choice for towing should of got a diesel but thats my opion

[paul wingnut]

got to agree with paul my mate has 1.8 and its totally gutless for towing and drinks petrol like its going out of fashion better off with a diesel sorry m8.

[siadwel]

Mine's gutless WITHOUT a caravan, wish I'd gone diesel, happy with car otherwise

[_ZS_]

You need plenty of revs on the VVT, so it's probably the worst choice for a caravan. Even the older 1.8 would be better.

[Das]

Years past my dad used to tow an 18ft Monza, steel chassis back then too, with a 1600 petrol Cortina estate, he even went over Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, more than once with that car and caravan, 4 up with all that goes with a caravan holiday too. Ok a diesel would be better but im sure it will tow it fine.

[CLOMP]

you will have to trust me on this but your 1.8 vec will pull your wobble box no problem you will just have to be in the right gear at the right time, you dont want to know the weight I once pulled with a 1.8 vec, but it was quite a bit heavier than your wobble box.

PS if you ever say the "C" word on hear again