Towcar

All depends on the weight of the caravan, surely ?.

Volvo V50 or V60 ?.

I've driven SUV's for over a decade and they are no more difficult to park than any other car of a similar size. They look bigger than they are. Our Outlander isn't much wider than our Smart Car but it looks far wider.

I have a friend who bought one t oreplace an elderly Volvo and is very happy with it. But, if you wanta flat loading space, it's no good as there's a significant difference in height between the main area and the folded down back seat. That why I rejected it since I carry a harp sometimes and need a flat lloading space.

I'm very happy with the flat loading space in my S-Max (mark 2), if he doesn't mind another Ford!

In message , Brian Reay writes

I have to say that I find my 14yo Range Rover L322 awkward in car parks, and with the windows down this summer, the bleeping from front and rear parking sensors really embarrassed SWMBO. I'm not sure why, apart from maybe my age, as I've had a succession of LR's, plus a Disco and a Jeep GC, all for the 3 ton towing capacity. Low range gearbox was crucial for me. Maybe this doesn't matter with a caravan. The Jeep was a huge disappointment, as low range locked the transmission, which could wind up on mixed tarmac and rough grass.

As Andrew has already noted, we would need to know the weight of your caravan and perhaps a bit about where you plan to take your caravan.

The MTPLM of our caravan is two tonnes which limits the choice of tow car if you want to be legal, and also if you want a ratio of 100% or below (allegedly 85% is good) between tow car kerb weight and MTPLM.

We decided to go for a 4x4 because we caravan most of the year and often on CLs so the ability to drag the caravan off a soggy grass field is a bonus. Also, 4x4s tend to be heavier with a higher maximum towing weight.

We have a 2009 VW Touareg which fits the bill and is also nice and easy to drive. Plus all season tyres to cope with mud and snow without having to change between summer and winter versions.

Traded in a Volvo 850 because it didn't have the kerb weight, so I assume that your caravan MTPLM is somewhere below 1600 kg?

Cheers

Dave R

It depends on what you are trying to carry. My Mazda has a spare wheel, albeit a "get you home" type.

The Caravan Club's outfit match tool reckons my Passat isn't quite good eno ugh for my 2 berth van with a MTPLM of 1290kg, stating that the van is at 9

I was indeed, since I needed 4ft flat.

I had both an S-Max and a Galaxy. Both are wider than a standard car, and they would not fit properly into a "standard" British parking space. I was obviously careful, but the neighbouring cars build regularly ding them when opening their doors.

"lloading space" - is that a typo or, with mention of a harp, have you been reading Terry Pratchett?

SteveW

typo - my harp is Scottish not Welsh.

It is 1200 kg, so looking for vehicles over 1400 kg

Chris

Indeed. The van is a sprightly 1200 kg, so anything over 1450 kg, which happens to be the weight of my current Mondeo, will be fine.

My caravanning is predominantly folk festivals and CLs. Whilst there have been occasions when I might have felt more comfortable with 4 WD available, the reality is that in 40 years I have only needed assistance on a couple of occasions, one of those being so bad that everyone was towed off, and the other most of the temporary site had been under water, and we woke one morning to see a Landrover bogged with all 4 wheels up to its axles.

Chris

I had two Mondeos and ran them (from new for each of them) for a combined 1

We're looking at getting into caravanning, and our 2l 150bhp 2wd diesel has a kerb weight of 1745Kg inc a 75Kg driver and no fuel which means at 85% a max MTPLM of 1483 Kg which is probably why you see quite a few Kugas as to wcars. The added benefit of being higher up also makes getting in and out o f the car easier. Worth a look?

Sorry, just trying to give the key figure used for the recommended 85% of kerb weight calculation.

The caravan MTPLM is 1200 kg

Chris

I don't think the CC guides have ever been updated despite the massive changes in car and caravan design and technology. One thing not to overlook is max nose weight on your tow bar. Also look for any specified max train weight of your tow car.

I've got a Skoda Superb Estate after some years of Citroens. Mine's the

Hello Chris,

We have an Avensis '06 plate 2.2T3 turbo diesel manual - doesn't notice French/Swiss alps, about 40,pg towing and an Avensis 65 plat 1,8 business edition estate, petrol, cvt logical 7 gears. Swiss alps no problem, cruise control useful

- changes down to maintain speed on descents, gear paddles good after getting used to using them (or could use gear stick).