spiderman Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi guys. I need some help here if possible. I have just purchased an Elddis Crusader Tornado 2011 spec is here http://www. downshirecaravans. com/pages/?title=2011_elddis_crusader_tornado_used_4_berth_caravan I have got no idea what sort of car that I need to tow it. I'm guessing 4x4 but is there anything more economical? How do you go about choosing a car that is not too over or under powered? Sorry about these basic questions bit I got to start somewhere Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Have look here to start with. http://www. whattowcar. com/ However this is only a starting point. Further investigation may be required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 You could do worse than look at tbe top of the page and click on the Advice section and then Towing a caravan. You wull need to know the MTPLM of the caravan which is recommended not to exceed 85% of the kerbweight of the tow car and must not exceed the towing limit of the car declared on the car's V5. Also look at www. whatowcar. com How will you get the 'van home? Oh and Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 . com I think wispy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Tks gellyneck - was relying on my memory! Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Aye auld age disnae cum itsel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks Guys, I'll take a look The 'van is local to me and in storage. It's not the one in the link I posted but is the same. I've purchased it from my mum because she needs the money as my dad has just passed away Dad loved caravanning, I've owned various camper vans before but never a caravan. Learning curve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Sorry about your father but I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as he did! Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Yeah I will. Just got to get my head around it. Would you say 4x4 is best for a 'van like this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrypartridge Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Rather than trust info from web sites and tow match sites (often crazily wrong) I'd say it was worthwhile, as the van is local, popping down and checking the weight plate. It's usually near the door. On it will be a MIRO (basically what the van weighs empty but with some essential kit) and an MTPLM (the most the van is allowed to weigh when loaded.) The MTPLM is the important one: if you could post that on here I guarantee you will get plenty of suggestions as we all nominate our favourite tow cars. It's nice that the van stays in the family and I hope you get a lot of fun out of it, sure you will. Give us that MTPLM and we'll get going. Quote Isuzu D Max pulling Bailey Unicorn 2 Valencia Bailey Autograph 740 MH: Isuzu for sale LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsstag Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Welcome, sorry to hear your sad news. Regarding towing your caravan it's all down to personal preference mate, some folks like 4x4's and others like to tow with a car of some kind. There are pro's and cons for both and only you can decide on which best suits your unique circumstances. Quote Defender 90 cruising along with a Coachman Laser 640/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrypartridge Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I like 4 x 4's as we use CLs all year round and a four wheel drive is often handy for pulling off soggy sites: plenty of them these days. As Scotsstag says it is personal preference: more important is to get a car with sufficient kerb weight and power to pull your van safely and comfortably. Quote Isuzu D Max pulling Bailey Unicorn 2 Valencia Bailey Autograph 740 MH: Isuzu for sale LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Your van is 1445 MTPLM so going on the Caravan Club's recommendation of 85%, you want a tow car with a min of 1700 kgs kerbweight. Don't trust car salesmen, you'll get better advice from members here so do double check here (if you want to) before purchasing. Not wanting to push the early Sorentos, but mine is not 4x4 but can be 'switched' into 4x4 mode - which I've only ever done once. But as a 4x4 type it is an excellent towcar with spare pulling capacity. But there are lots of others out there and you will have other criteria such as driving to work, fuel consumption, taking family, budget etc. Only you can truly decide. Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks guys It looks like MTPLM: 1618kg / 31. 78cwt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrypartridge Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Is the 1618 off the plate? Wispman has it as 1445, quite a difference. I've tried using towcarmatch, what towcar, both clubs (USELESS) tow matching calculators, and have come to the conclusion that for caravans you need to check the plate and for cars put em on a weighbridge. So much wrong information out there. (Please note, NOT having a go at Wispman.) Quote Isuzu D Max pulling Bailey Unicorn 2 Valencia Bailey Autograph 740 MH: Isuzu for sale LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laney16 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Spiderman, what car do you have at present ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Spiderman Firstly condolences on your sad news. I still think that whattowcar gives you a good starting point for matching a car and caravan. As you'll see there are differing opinions (and that doesn't mean they are wrong!). Once you've ran the match you then need to fine tune to your needs \ aspirations. To "confirm" the on paper weights wispy has actually quoted the MIRO @ 1445 and you've noticed the MTPLM is 1618. You'll also want to think about the noseweight available on the car options and how this can be achieved with your caravan choice. Suggest you run the rough match on options on the named website and then ask for members on here for further opinions \ advice. Note, you will receive varying opinions as these will be based on differing needs \ aspirations. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfaEuropa Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hi Spiderman, Out of interest, what did your parents tow the caravan with? That might give you a good starting point. 4x4 (or SUV) are genrally good in terms of weight and pulling the van out of wet grassy places but you lose out on fuel consumption and driving fun and they are usually more expensive to buy (age for age). There are definitely heavy "normal" cars out there that would do the job and most of them are quite deisirable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I got 1445kgs from OP's link, but that was kerb weight. Looking at CT's own list of specs I find the 2010 Tornado as 1650 so OP' sfigure must be about right. That's a fairly heavy van and implies a Towcar kerbweight of about 1940 kgs. I'm not sure you can find a saloon car of that weight. Maybe SUV or 4x4 is the route but would like to know what your father used to tow it? Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 As an example our Lunar has an MTPLM of 1680 and we pull it with a Hyundai Santa Fe at c86%. Not suggesting you go for this car, we think it's great, but gives you an indication of the size \ weight of car you'd be looking at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 many estates / saloon / people carriers will pull this fine - there's no need for a 4x4 "because you have a caravan" I've been there, had the 4x4 - infact, a '56 plate Sorento - terrible MPG (around 30 without the 'van - 24 with) - terrible reliability (new steering rack at 50k and new gearbox at 58k) and i had owned it from new! that being said, i've not yet towed with my new car (been a motorhomer for 2 years) but don't see any issues. just take your time if you're new to it all - what did your folks tow with? - can you not borrow that for the time being? Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thanks for all the replies. I'll check the plate at the weekend to get the proper MTPLM I currently have a passat estate 110 bhp. It doesn't pull very well when loaded with all our camp gear. Parents had an old freelander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsstag Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 many estates / saloon / people carriers will pull this fine - there's no need for a 4x4 "because you have a caravan" I've been there, had the 4x4 - infact, a '56 plate Sorento - terrible MPG (around 30 without the 'van - 24 with) - terrible reliability (new steering rack at 50k and new gearbox at 58k) and i had owned it from new! that being said, i've not yet towed with my new car (been a motorhomer for 2 years) but don't see any issues. just take your time if you're new to it all - what did your folks tow with? - can you not borrow that for the time being? Nobody has said there is need for a 4x4 "because you have a caravan", just as many others have "been there" and are very happy with their 4x4's. Quote Defender 90 cruising along with a Coachman Laser 640/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Nobody has said there is need for a 4x4 "because you have a caravan", just as many others have "been there" and are very happy with their 4x4's. again, I've ben there too - but if you read the 1st page, even the OP says he's maybe better off with a 4x4. - my statement was, there is no need for a 4x4 because you have a caravan! Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWOMW Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Perhaps ADG might help with some suggestions of estates/saloons/people carriers that are heavy enough to safely tow this van ? Quote Land Rover is now back towing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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