Anyone Tow A Caravan?

[simonturner1975]

We are looking at getting a caravan so we can have multiple last minute holidays with the kids and have been looking around at these big box's on wheels.

Just wondered if anyone had a big caravan and towed with a Siggy? Was wondering what the driving experience is like and how bad the MPG was?

We have even thought about hiring one to tow before I commit and buy one.

[FIL 4822]

No issues at all when we had ours. Towed with 1.9 CDTi 150.

MPG went down to 30 from 44 average.

[DaveG]

My car is a 2004 2.2 elite estate direct and fuel consumption is:-

-Towing a caravan weighing 1400kgs fuel consumption = 20 to 21 mpg. (long distance travel on major roads at a steady 45 to 55 mph)

To put this into some sort of perspective my none towing fuel consumption is:-
- Every day usage on short journeys 30 to 32 mpg
- Long distance on motorways at a very steady 70mph = 39mpg
- Long distance on none motorway at 40 mph to 50 mph = 40mpg
- long distance very steady driving on none motorway at around 40mph = 44mpg


Dave

[Big Sig]

The siggy is a very good tow car due to the short rear overhang too

[simonturner1975]

The siggy is a very good tow car due to the short rear overhang too

Good, I am looking at getting a 6 berth with fixed bunk beds. Was worried about towing such a big caravan with my car. Next question is can I still lower it by 30mm from standard and be able to tow??? Or do I leave as standard and sell the springs?

[Big Sig]

I wouldn't know about that tbh. Also have a look here : http://www.whattowcar.com/basic_index.php

[axelf]

Hello m8, i have got a 1.9 120 with a eco green box fitted, i tow a caravan, it is 1300kgs........We have recently been over to France with it, i got there drove around in France and back on 3 full tanks of fuel....All in all milage wise 1270 miles....I have also lowered my car with eibach springs and it pulled very well... I am on the rig at min but home on weds, i took some photos to show how low it was......I will put them up if you can wait till thursday.....

[Maverick]

Good, I am looking at getting a 6 berth with fixed bunk beds. Was worried about towing such a big caravan with my car. Next question is can I still lower it by 30mm from standard and be able to tow??? Or do I leave as standard and sell the springs?

You should not lower it and tow. It can be dangerous as you would also be lowering the towbar ball by 30mm.

Here's mine when I towed with it, 1455kg Coachman. Signum Elite 3.0 V6 CDTi. I now tow with our Freelander 2 HSE which is in a different league. But out of the Vectra and Signum, the Signum is the better car for sure, due to the longer wheel base and the short rear overhang as already mentioned.

[simonturner1975]

You should not lower it and tow. It can be dangerous as you would also be lowering the towbar ball by 30mm.

Here's mine when I towed with it, 1455kg Coachman. Signum Elite 3.0 V6 CDTi. I now tow with our Freelander 2 HSE which is in a different league. But out of the Vectra and Signum, the Signum is the better car for sure, due to the longer wheel base and the short rear overhang as already mentioned.
]

Looks good. Humm will have to think about the lowering bit then. I intend to use a roof box as well plus bikes and stuff in the caravan.

Have you used the Channel Tunnel? We intend to travel to France with it as well. Make as much use out of it as possible

[simonturner1975]

Hello m8, i have got a 1.9 120 with a eco green box fitted, i tow a caravan, it is 1300kgs........We have recently been over to France with it, i got there drove around in France and back on 3 full tanks of fuel....All in all milage wise 1270 miles....I have also lowered my car with eibach springs and it pulled very well... I am on the rig at min but home on weds, i took some photos to show how low it was......I will put them up if you can wait till thursday.....

Hi,

Yes please. The caravan i am looking at is a Lunar twin axle. About 1400kg. Bit worried about the lowering.