Caravan towing with Hydractive Suspension

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 25 Jun 2010, 15:04

I have a 09 C5 saloon, manual with Hydractive suspension. Does anyone know what it's like towing a caravan with one?

Chris570 · Post by **Chris570** » 25 Jun 2010, 15:50

on my hydractive 2 xantia it is excellent much better than a focus i used before.

Trainman · Post by **Trainman** » 25 Jun 2010, 16:57

Steve,

With my old C5 I pulled a car transporter and Honda Civic from Preston to Warrington and back withno problem whatsoever. My old man pulls his caravan with a 51 plate 2.0 est with no trouble, in fact he's up in scotland at the moment

Both had/have Hydroactive suspension

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 25 Jun 2010, 17:02

Thanks for the replies. I used to have a Bailey 4 berth which I towed with a Nissan Primera 2.2di estate. Nice car but crap engine. It sounded like a tractor under the slightest load. I was wondering how the suspension in my C5 would react to the nose weight of the caravan.

h2ocooler · Post by **h2ocooler** » 25 Jun 2010, 18:11

It will just self level no problems at all, I towed a FULLY loaded caravan through france at 80mph (no restrictions over there) no drama at all, most of the time I didnt know it was on there.
Rob

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 25 Jun 2010, 18:32

Thanks Rob. I am looking at one of the new Bailey Pegasus caravans with the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control System. It looks to be a very good idea.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 26 Jun 2010, 16:32

I've pulled my Bailey Pageant Imperial with my C5 down to southern Spain every winter since I got it in 2005. It makes for an effortless tow and depending on towing speed, I get between 25 and 30mpg. Suspension pumps up level and stays there without any pitching fore and aft.

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 26 Jun 2010, 17:36

JohnD wrote:I've pulled my Bailey Pageant Imperial with my C5 down to southern Spain every winter since I got it in 2005. It makes for an effortless tow and depending on towing speed, I get between 25 and 30mpg. Suspension pumps up level and stays there without any pitching fore and aft.

Can you tell me what the MTPLM of you caravan is and what percentage it is of your cars' kerb weight?

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 27 Jun 2010, 08:41

steve101 wrote:
Can you tell me what the MTPLM of you caravan is and what percentage it is of your cars' kerb weight?

Kerb weight is 1532 and MTPLM is 1200 so I'm running at around 80% - but since we go for four months, I'm always heavily ladened. Roof rack, bikes etc.

skinhead · Post by **skinhead** » 27 Jun 2010, 09:22

steve101 wrote:Thanks for the replies. I used to have a Bailey 4 berth which I towed with a Nissan Primera 2.2di estate. Nice car but crap engine. It sounded like a tractor under the slightest load. I was wondering how the suspension in my C5 would react to the nose weight of the caravan.

I tow a Bailey 1360kg with my 2.2C5 mk1 & find towing with the hydroactive suspension perfect when set to sport as it keep the van level so very little effect from the passing of large vehicles & being able to raise & lower the t car makes hitchin up a doddle.I got an average of 28mpg on an extended tour down to Dubrovnic under all road conditions

Max noseweight allowance for car is 75kg

skinhead · Post by **skinhead** » 27 Jun 2010, 09:25

steve101 wrote:Thanks Rob. I am looking at one of the new Bailey Pegasus caravans with the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control System. It looks to be a very good idea.

be aware that the Pegasus has quite a heavy nose weight ex works The car has a 75kg n/w allowance so check out your new van carfully

hobblerian · Post by **hobblerian** » 27 Jun 2010, 10:41

WOW thats a surprise to me the C5 only having 75kg weight limit on the towbar. On my XM saloon its 110kg.

Its always possible to change the nose weight of a caravan by how you load it anyhow. So if it has a naturally heavy nose you can load more at the rear to balance it out.

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 27 Jun 2010, 19:43

Perhaps I will have to go for a lighter van as I don't want to part with the C5. May just stick to a Ranger. Thanks for all the info. It's good to know the C5 tows well.

skinhead · Post by **skinhead** » 27 Jun 2010, 19:46

hobblerian wrote:WOW thats a surprise to me the C5 only having 75kg weight limit on the towbar. On my XM saloon its 110kg.

Its always possible to change the nose weight of a caravan by how you load it anyhow. So if it has a naturally heavy nose you can load more at the rear to balance it out.

I own a series 1 C5 not sure if later models are the same 75kg n/w allowance

but loading to the rear can cause instability by causing a seesaw effect.loading must be kept low over the axle or just to the rear of it. I stronly suggest you do research before buying car or van check out this thread
http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/topic/344 ... -findings/

steve101 · Post by **steve101** » 28 Jun 2010, 07:02

I knew about van loading but not about nose weight limit of the C5. If it is 75 kgs, it's the same as my last tow car. Not too bad really.