Can petrol cars tow caravans?

When it comes to towing a caravan typically you are going to have more low-end torque from a diesel engine compared to a petrol engine. Hence, pulling away and acceleration from a diesel engine when towing a caravan was better. However, petrol cars for towing a caravan have come a long way and continue to improve.

Is petrol or diesel best for towing a caravan?

Diesels are generally more fuel-efficient while towing than petrol-engined cars, too. Our colleagues on Practical Caravan recently compared the economy of two Volkswagen Tiguans, one petrol, one diesel. Both towed the same caravan over the same roads, with the diesel returning 30.3mpg and the petrol just 20.8mpg.

Can a 1.6 petrol car tow a caravan?

What engine size do I need to tow a caravan? An engine size of 1.8L petrol or diesel will manage towing functions competently. Smaller engines can be used but towing with a 1.6L engine will restrict your towing weight to a maximum of 1500kg.

Is petrol good for towing?

If you only tow occasionally and most of your journeys are short, a petrol car (or even a hybrid) could be a better choice than a diesel. However, for most caravanners, we would still recommend a diesel, especially if you are looking for a new or nearly new car that meets the Euro 6 emissions regulations.

Can a 1.5 petrol tow a caravan?

“I wouldn't recommend the 1.6-litre diesel or 1.5-litre petrol versions of the Karoq or Tiguan for towing your caravan because they would struggle. The 2.0-litre petrol Tiguan would manage better, but still not as well as the equivalent diesel, and fuel economy will be poor when towing.

Practical Caravan tow test – petrol vs diesel

How do I know if my car can pull a caravan?

The thing you must bear in mind is that your car can tow a caravan if the mass of the caravan is 85% or less of your car's overall curb weight. You can find out your car's curb weight the the manufacturer's guide that comes with your car. This will help you work out your car's towing capability.

What is the most economical car to tow a caravan?

Ford Focus Estate

Winner of the fuel economy award in the 2019 Tow Car Awards, the Focus Estate, specifically the 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel 120bhp Titanium X version, is an example of an excellent, affordable tow car and proves that you don't have to have an SUV if you don't want one.

How big a car do you need to tow a caravan?

If the mass of the caravan is 85% or less of the car's kerbweight, the car will tow it with ease. If it's between 85% and 100%, be careful – only experienced caravanners should use that car to tow such a heavy van.

Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 petrol tow a caravan?

The Qashqai goes and stops well, too. The 1.6-litre engine is strong enough to pull car and caravan from 30-60mph in 14.6 seconds, so the Nissan will have no trouble pulling up to motorway speeds. The emergency stop from 30mph took 10.5m in dry conditions, and the brakes were easy to apply smoothly in regular towing.

Do you need 4x4 to tow caravan?

In theory, you don't need a 4WD or SUV to tow, but realistically for any recreational trailer like a caravan it'll be hard to find a 2WD that will do the job, particularly if you look at factors like towball mass, whether a special tow kit is required, and maximum speed when towing.

What is the new towing law UK?

The changes to the towing laws on 16 December 2021 mean that you are now allowed to tow trailers up to a 3,500kg MAM (up from 750kg MAM) and mandatory car and trailer driving tests have now been stopped.

How much does a 2 berth caravan weigh?

How much does a Caravan weigh? A 2 to 4 berth caravan typically weighs around 800 - 1,300kg in total, while a 4 to 6 berth caravan averages 1,300 - 1,800kg. The weight and size of a caravan will vary depending on how many berths, or sleeping areas, the unit contains.

Can an Astra 1.6 tow a caravan?

An Astra 1.6 can tow a caravan up to 1250 kg, but it will be working hard. The 2.0-litre diesel costs more but can tow up to 1400 kg.

What engine is good for towing?

Ford makes many good engines for towing. But the best Ford engine for towing is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine. There are many other great options when you start looking at heavy-duty Ford trucks because Ford has been making these engines for so many years.

Why is diesel better for towing?

Diesel engines produce more torque which means higher towing capacities compared to gas engines. This also means a smoother ride when towing heavy loads like a boat or trailer. Diesel engines also produce their peak torque at much lower RPM's.

How much fuel do you use towing a caravan?

THE CARAVAN

Towing the full-height caravan on the same course, and matching my driving style to that of the first run as much as possible, saw the vehicle consume 16.7L/100km, equating to 6km/L.

Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.2 pull a caravan?

Although not or first choice, the Nissan Qashqai 1.2 could tow a medium-sized caravan, small camper or sports equipment. As long as you make sure that you don't exceed 85% of the kerbweight of the car, the Qashqai 1.2 may, in fact, surprise you.

Will a 1.6 diesel pull a caravan?

You can pull a caravan with a 1.6 diesel, keeping in mind your caravan's MTPLM (maximum laden weight) must not exceed 85% of your car's kerbweight.

Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.4 tow a caravan?

The towing capacity of the Nissan Qashqai supports up to 1400kg. This is a braked figure, while the maximum load for any vehicle without using trailer brakes is 750kg, if rated to tow that much in the first place.

Can small cars tow caravans?

On a practical level, a small car can physically tow a large caravan, but there are legal restrictions on the combination's you can drive on the road. You'll also find it easier to manage your outfit if you stick to certain car to caravan weight ratios, especially if you are new to towing.

Is a caravan braked or unbraked?

Most Caravans are braked, thus having their braking system. Some smaller camping trailers and tents are usually unbraked, but you need to check with the manufacturer as not all are equal.

Can anyone tow a caravan?

Knowing who can tow a caravan is not as complex as it may seem. As a driver, in most cases you can tow a caravan or trailer without needing to update your licence. However, if you are a younger driver or over 70 years of age, you need to check exactly what your licence allows you to tow.

What is the best car to tow a 1500kg caravan?

Can you tow with a petrol hybrid?

Hybrid cars, particularly the latest raft of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, are often up to the task of towing, but you'll need to consider your needs carefully to find a model that will be an adequate replacement for your current petrol or diesel tow car.

Can a Kia Sportage tow a caravan?

The Sportage mastered the lane-change test. Only on the third and fastest run did the caravan begin to slide, and even then the Kia had no trouble pulling it straight again. It's a quick tow car as well as a stable one, needing just 12.2 seconds to pull from 30-60mph.