Towing

[GTXJez]

Hi All
I am considering moving up from a Large Tent to a Caravan.
I have a 02 2.016v HPi Petrol ( bhp) - so similar to a standard 2.0 16v - but how good are they for towing?
I appreciate that the diesels will always be better - but mine is a gutsy engine in good condition, and is low geared as it is the GTX Model - sure it will be OK?
Max Tow weight is supposed to be 1,140kg (at 85%) and I have found a great 2nd Hand ABI Caravan at 1,000 kg so should manage OK.
Avg MPG unladen is about 36mpg so am expecting about 25 when towing?

Any experience with the Petrol Engine cars for towing?
Advice appreciated.

Cheers!

[grasmere59]

Can't see it being a problem,just think of years gone by with all those Sierras etc which towed caravans before many diesels were on the scene.My mate tows with a 1.8 petrol Zetec mondeo at roughly 85% with no problems,i have a 2.0hdi estate and that does'nt tow that well as it seems too high geared and won't hold 5th at 55mph so i have to use my petrol bmw.

[GTXJez]

Yep, thats what I thought, i think If I stick to a 1,000 kg van I should be Ok. That's 68% so should get good performance too?
thanks for the advice, I did suspect that gearing would have an effect, mine is only 24mph per 1,000 rpm so should have good pull.

[DaiRees]

Yeah it'll tow fine mate, the biggest thing I've towed with mine is a Land Rover (OK it was only a couple of miles ).

There's plenty of power and plenty of weight, as Grassy says, think of all the old mid sized family cars that used to tow caravans, my family used to tow with a Humber Sceptre 1.6, a variety of Polski Fiats (don't even know what engine they had ) and a Talbot Solara 1.6 to name just a few, and caravans weighed a lot more when I were a lad

[benczuk]

and caravans weighed a lot more when I were a lad

You'd be surprised, the amount of extra tat that they stick in them just keeps making them heavier, my First caravan was 800kg, current one is 1100 (classed as lightweight!), and my mum has just bought a new van tipping the scales at 1600 replacing a 1250! (all single axle)