Towing with a 406 GLX Estate?

[Jacks406]

Any advice suggestions or warnings on towing witha 406 GLX. ?

It will be used for towing a Westfield race car on a light weight trailer.
Weight of car and trailer about 1000kg.

Any ideas?

[highlander]

What engine does your 406 have?

I have never towed anything, but I reckon you'd need a reasonable engine with a good bit of torque.

[Doggy]

The handbook suggests a maximum weight for a braked trailer of 1500 kg regardless of engine, (as this is more about stability / stopping power).

Tend to agree with Graeme though, something torquey would be happier, ideally a diesel or a V6, (if you've just left BP, for example).

[Jacks406]

Should added it's a 2.1 diesel

[highlander]

Should be fine - diesels have plenty of torque, and you've got the more powerful of the two D8 turbodiesel engines.

108 HP, I believe.

Also, if you're worried, I seem to recall that you can get the 2.1TD remapped for extra horses.

[mjb]

When it comes to towing, torque is king, so the 2.1TD should eat it up. Just be aware you're putting a lot more strain on the clutch which will need replacing earlier as a result, but you'll get some tell-tale signs long before that. Also, expect fuel economy to nosedive when accelerating so try not to stop once you get going

If you've got your driving license in the last 10 years or so, be aware that you'll need a separate license test before you can tow anything more substantial than a little camping trailer...

[Doggy]

If you've got your driving license in the last 10 years or so, be aware that you'll need a separate license test before you can tow anything more substantial than a little camping trailer...

I'd heard that too - do you know what the limit actually is, Matt? (Son want's to borrow my trailer).

[mjb]

If you've got your driving license in the last 10 years or so, be aware that you'll need a separate license test before you can tow anything more substantial than a little camping trailer...

I'd heard that too - do you know what the limit actually is, Matt? (Son want's to borrow my trailer).

Bloody complicated, that's what!
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... G_10013073

"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."

[Jacks406]

Thanks for all the info chaps, anyone know anything about remapping for more horses?

[Doggy]

Bloody complicated, that's what![/i]

You're not kidding

Thanks, Matt

[mjb]

Thanks for all the info chaps, anyone know anything about remapping for more horses?

Just put L9 5AS into your satnav...

[highlander]

Just put L9 5AS into your satnav...

If you're interested in remapping, the Derv Doctor is one place I've seen doing remaps for the 2.1TD 406:
http://www.zen19051.zen.co.uk/index.htm

Costs from £250 for a turbo-charged car, but by all accounts it makes a fair difference - HDi 110 cars being uprated to 140+ BHP, HDi 90 cars being uprated to 120+ BHP...

I wonder if there's any possibility of squeezing more performance out of an early D9 1.8 16v non-turbocharged petrol car using a remap - I suspect not though...

[Captain Jack]

I can thoroughly recommend The Derv Dr. He's remapped my 2.1TD and the difference was very noticeable...

[mjb]

I wonder if there's any possibility of squeezing more performance out of an early D9 1.8 16v non-turbocharged petrol car using a remap - I suspect not though...

I suspect that remaps really aren't that effective on N/A engines because there's not much you can tweak (minor timing changes, slight fuel level changes,e tc) as you're up against one fixed variable - the amount of air getting into the engine, whereas they can make huge differences on turbo/supercharged cars because that's one parameter they can tweak as it's controlled by the ECU (boost level) which makes a very substantial difference to everything

[kemik007]

I have towed with both my 406's for over 12 years the past 6 with my 2.1td. The recomended towing weight for our car is 85%
of its fully laden weight ( car + all fluids) try a site like below for information.

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/peugeot.htm

Any car will pull any trailer, stopping it would be the problem. If the trailer or caravan is breaked it helps, but a big estate like the
2.1 td 406 equiped with ABS is a good match for most medium caravans. Always check the service of what you are towing
most people leave trailers & caravans for months at a time, hitch them up and bat off down a motorway at 60mph.
Check the breaks work check the trailer tyre presures & condition, I always look down the tread for cracks or signs of perishing.

The information above is not law but practical advice, there is enough bad press about caravaners and trailer towers.

Steve