towing a caravan

[damianovdd]

I saw in other posts that many of you tow a caravan, or you have done this in the past. I have a plan for the future to buy one, but my problem for the moment is that i don`t know how much heavy must be the caravan.
So here the question - how much heavy caravan can i tow with my little engine of 2,8 cc and 129 hp?
I think that i can tow 1,3 t. to 1,5 t., but i want more space... But more space mean more weight. More weight mean big engine...
I know that most of you have a big engines, but also there are members with the same engine as mine.

[YNOT]

From the small amount of research I've just done we can legally tow up to 2.5t with trailer brakes and suitably rated towbar behind a GQ 2.8 diesel. Just don't expect it to do it quickly!

Tony

[MQ MAD]

It should be written on the rear doors (back barn doors), or even on your towbar
What wieght per engine you can tow

2.5 T with a 2.8
Dont hit to many hills , youll start a new career before you get to the top

[damianovdd]

Thank you.

I don`t know if my towbar is original, because there is no such info in the auto registration. But i remember there was some info or the max weight the patrol can tow or it was something else (must see that in home). may be it was info on how many kg may handle the trol (not towing). will check that.

It is also interesting to me, do you pass another course for second category of driving permission? Here for towing i must pass and take drive license for second category. Now i have "B" - the standard for non professional driver, but for the townig must have "E" - it will be "B+E".

[YNOT]

No we don't in Australia. As long as you have a car license you can tow a trailer, some people don't realise towing aint as easy as it looks, especially reversing.
From the Safari's I've seen in Australia what is written on the outside of the back door is the vehicle payload not the towing capacity, or maybe I'm just not looking closely enough.

Tony

[MQ MAD]

Just checked a tow hitch i had from my GU
It reads
"Refer warning inside back door for details"

And no we dont have different licences for towing
Tho we bloody should
Seen a Rav 4 pulling a 26 foot van the other day

Id hate to see it with a head wind and a hill
It would be goin backwards

The main issue over here in Aussie land
Is people who tow a 6 X 4 box trailer maybe once or twice a year
Think theres no difference between that and a tandem/car trailer or a big van
WRONG

[Dave E]

Hi well we have towed 26ft twin axel caravans for 11 years with our 2.8 with no problems you just have to go down a cog on steep hills but they tow a dream have a look at owners photos Our rig and you can see our set up

[damianovdd]

I search in the back door and i didn`t find such a warning.
In the registration certificate i see this on the back:
O: technically permissible maximum towable mass of the trailer.
O1: braked (kg)
O2: unbraked (kg)
On the front there is nothing.
I think that the tow hitch is placed later.

@ Dave
Thank you. I start this theme because of your post and to not spoil the good view in with unnecessary posts.

[MQ MAD]

From Google

2.8 Lt Diesel 2800 KG
3.0 Lt Diesel 3200 KG
4.2 Lt Diesel 3500 KG
4.5 Lt petrol 3140 KG

Dont know how accurate that is
But the main issue with caravans isnt really the wieght , its more the extra height above the 4x4 roof thats the restrictor

[damianovdd]

Never thought about the height of the caravan. Thanks for reminder. I must be aware for it when choosing a caravan.


Because I dream (only dreaming lol) of such a caravan: http://westcountrytowing.co.uk/images/caravan_58.jpg - a house with veranda.