Have you towed a Caravan with a ZX ?

citroenbx · Post by **citroenbx** » 21 Feb 2006, 20:32

Hi all......I'm looking to Buy a Second Hand Caravan to tow with my ZX-1.9TD and realy don't know where to start not had a van before so looking for your Help.
Many Thanks

DoubleChevron · Post by **DoubleChevron** » 22 Feb 2006, 04:37

Easy ...

When you buy the caravan, just ensure it comes with a CX attached to it's drawbar to use as a towcar

Wouldn't the ZX be to slow and small to tow with ??? (not to mention the lack of proper self leveling suspension ??).

seeya,
Shane L.

tony1 · Post by **tony1** » 22 Feb 2006, 08:30

On this subject, if you have a fast internet connection have a look at this clip:

http://www.sirnick.co.uk/astra/caravan.wmv

citroenbx · Post by **citroenbx** » 22 Feb 2006, 09:05

Thanks for the replys so far and the clip (Thats just mad with a Renualt 5)

My car weighs 1100kg and the Van Clubs for first timers say dont exceed 80% of your cars weight.

So a 2 Berth Caravan weighing say 800KG's would seem safe ? ?

My ZX manual says i need to purchase an under engine guard to supply more air to the engine ?Whats is this ?

Thanks so far

Post by **martyhopkirk** » 22 Feb 2006, 09:28

citroenbx wrote:Thanks for the replys so far and the clip (Thats just mad with a Renualt 5)

Thanks so far

Towed a Swift Corvette with my (old) 1.9D - it did it OK, if a little slow on hills - van weighed in at 12CWT

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 22 Feb 2006, 09:30

Depends how big the caravan is?

Me and Wilkobob had one of these really old small ones and his ZX 1.9TD pulled it quite well from what i could remember

den · Post by **den** » 22 Feb 2006, 18:59

Citroenbx,

Don't forget it's not just the weight of the caravan to consider but all the other stuff you take with you as well. So even if the car is theoretically capable of pulling 800 kgs or so, by the time you've added all your other stuff you're talking around 1000kgs. I tow a Swift Challenger weighing 855 kgs unladen with a Xantia 1.9 TD but by the time we've added all of our essential equipment (and a lot of the other half's essential equipment !) it's well over 1000kgs. The Xantia tows reasonably and capably enough but I certainly wouldn't like to tow anything heavier. Consider everything carefully before committing yourself to something you may regret. At the end of the day safety is the main concern. Good luck anyway and welcome to the world of caravanning.

Den

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 22 Feb 2006, 19:25

All good and valid tips... don't forget, it isn't just the power of the engine that matters.... the size and stability of the towing vehicle is very important. I much prefer towing with an XM than a Xantia.

Gregg1100 · Post by **Gregg1100** » 22 Feb 2006, 19:47

Hi CitroenBx,
The 85% guide is just that. A guide. I used to tow my 15 foot van (Robin 450/5 ) with an H-reg Bx 19 TZs. That too weighed in at 1100kg. My caravan was 11 cwt empty, 17 cwt max(600kg and 935kg, which at 935kg happened to be 85% of car).
Most 2 berths will be ok for you, BUT keep away from caravans around 1990 year--build quality seems crap--leaky--get one earlier or after 1992+. Try these for interest:
http://www.touringandtenting.com/
Hope this helps you,
Greg

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 22 Feb 2006, 19:52

When my Dad retired and took up caravanning, he had a Cavalier-the vans got bigger and better equipped and now he has a Shogun

Its the only thing thats big and powerful enough to lug the house on wheels around.

Caravans have become so monsterously heavy of late and I think even a CX would struggle with a modern set up- like Den says above, its all the other crap- the awnings, garden furniture, the satellite dish.......

Get a small lightweight van- hard to find these days!!!

Gregg1100 · Post by **Gregg1100** » 22 Feb 2006, 20:01

Hi CitroenBx,
ZZf0001 is right about that. Better to have a big dog and a little tail, than a big tail which will wag the little dog. I am used to towing, been doing it years, also I drive 44 ton trucks for a living, so have a fair idea about what feels right and wrong, and also how vans should be loaded.
You will also notice that many of the caravan accidents happening seem to have a 4x4 attached, some of the owners think that just because they have a 4x4, they throw in their equipment anyhow, then wonder why it all goes tits up.
Like Den said, welcome to caravanning.
Greg

sooty · Post by **sooty** » 22 Feb 2006, 20:38

I had no problems with towing a car transporter carrying a MK 1 Escort. The only thing I found that its better with fuel consumption if the revs are approx. 3000rpm or above, otherwise if too near the start of the boost at 2500 you'll use fuel.

den · Post by **den** » 22 Feb 2006, 22:41

Citroenbx

Well, you've certainly got plenty to think about now. Some good advice from the rest of the guys. Try this http://www.whattowcar.com you might find it useful.

Den

wilkobob · Post by **wilkobob** » 24 Feb 2006, 17:42

Just to add my bit, I had a ZX Estate 1.9D, and towed a 4 berth caravan (be it a small one) around a fair few places, and not much bother, didnt seem all that slow either. Had more recently a 1.9 TD hatch, and that towed our larger 5 berth caravan (14 foot one i think) really well. Didnt half worry chris when I overtook a line of 4 cars going up an incline!!! As good if not better than any other small hatch for towing - more poke than a 1.7TD bx with the same van.

davek-uk · Post by **davek-uk** » 27 Feb 2006, 09:13

Over the years 'vans have become much heavier (as BXBodger says) and you may find it difficult getting something light enough yet big enough for your needs; particularly when the towing car is small.

If you are tempted by an older van (to get a bigger van for the same weight), beware of buying one too old. I've heard that many sites refuse to take older 'vans these days and that you must have plastic windows and not the old glass ones. Can onyone confirm this is the case?