captain ted

I shall be soon be buying a caravan to fit behind my MY01 WRX.

Don't want to change my car cos I like it but don't want to knacker it by pulling a ton or so.

How good are they at towing?

Ta, Ted.

pslewis

You don't know it's there!!!!

Pete

captain ted

Have you pulled one Pete?

I am waiting for all the planks to come out of the woodwork saying that their chocolate engines will blow up on a slight incline whilst towing makes their cocklincks flash insanely.

pslewis

I pull a speedboat and Conway Countryman (800kg)

And yes, you need the CockLinks (one for the car and one to attach on the caravan), and a pair of Det Cans stuck to your ears is a wise precaution!!

It also needs to be re-mapped by a geek for £300 because the IC Heat Soaks and makes your drawbar melt!!

Piston number 3 may melt unless you run on 150RON and use Octane Booster!!

ALSO, very important, you MUST buy the most expensive Oil you can find!!

Then, you should be ok!!

Pete

Horico

rofpmsl

captain ted

Ah!!!! But what KIND of oil? Synthetic or non Synthetic and should I get a wooshy Vump dalve to help with gear changes on 1:10 hills?

I suppose all tyres would need changing too!

Do Volvo drivers have these problems?

pslewis

That Scooby is a SPORT and its got a Turbo bonnet!!! Bloody Cheek!!

It changed hands on 27th July 2005 and now has had 10 owners!!!! TEN!!

Holy Fooooook

Pete

pslewis

Yes, new tyres ..... wheres TyreMan when you need him?? They need to be cross-ply and of caravan towing spec. which is rather special, so you will need to find a specialist Scooby Tyre Installation outfit!!

These are no ordinary cars you know?? They need special measures!!

Remember that the rear diff will need replacing as well as the propshaft!! The whole rear end will need balancing too!!!

This is going to cost you!!!!

Pete

pslewis

Reg, Number ******* is, and I quote:-

Vehicle details:-

Manufacturer SUBARU

Model IMPREZA SPORT AWD

Body type 4 DOOR SALOON

Colour BLUE

Fuel type PETROL

Date manufactured 30 December 1996

Number of previous owners 9

Last owner change 27 July 2005



Or is the DVLA database wrong????????????????

Looks like YOU need the Micra site!!

Pete

pslewis

You posted up your reg number, you wally!!!

I have shared NOTHING that isn't in the public domain!!

I could post your name and address and telephone numbers if you like???

Pete

pslewis

So?? It IS a Sport??

Made up to look like a Turbo??

Is that right??

Pete

pslewis

Now, you've deleted the photos from photobucket!!

Pity, they were funny!!

But, not half as funny as the tiz-waz you're getting yourself into here ..... embarrassed by trying to pass a sport off as a turbo.

Unless, of course, its a Turbo - but listed as a sport with DVLA to get cheaper insurance??

Which is it??

Pete

pslewis

Done, don't show your numberplate again if you don't wish people to find out things about it!

I will assume you don't know the rules of the internet, so I will let you off with your abuse .................. if you want to call me an **** then please do so to my face, NOT hiding behind a keyboard!!

What I posted is available in the public domain and I looked because I liked the plate ...................

Don't get so upset

Pete

JPS3290

Vehicle details can easily be found FOC by using the RAC database.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/carbuying/vehicle_data_search

By the way this is no where near correct all the time. I had a Civic Type R i sold in May. Reg H4 CTR. Have a look what that comes back as and the V5 was correct.

pslewis

Shouldn't you be a school now?? Teachers calling you!!

Pete

Graz

Are you two related?

captain ted = illigitimate son of PiSsLewis

pslewis

Look at him ............ with his 1,300 posts!!

Pete

captain ted

Not related.

Simply share the same view that these machines are only cars and that you don't need some sort of degree in engineering to run one.

Does anyone else have an opinion on how good they are as a towcar?

captain ted

Now that was spooky!!

No posts all day and then we post at the exact same time!!!!

I'm scared!

Graz

Yeah I have a life away from SNet unlike you

EBRWRX

You have to be very careful round corners

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

OK, if it's a genuine query and not a wind-up, here goes:

I tow a Sprite caravan, ('93 vintage, had it from new), with our '98 car.

I've been doing it for years now, although the van is now based in France, before that we towed with TD Xantia, etc.

Points to take into account are:
Get a decent towbar, have it fitted, and do the electrics yourself using the Subaru kit from a dealer. Mine has a Witter towbar, I remove the towball when not in use. Quick-release towbars are available, but IMHO not worth the substantial extra cost.

Remember not to overload the boot of the car when towing. I have towed with two adults in the rear seat of the Scoob, 4 MTB's on top of it, and the awning and poles in the boot. Bumpy French roads took the speed down to 30mph or less if I didn't want to ground the jockey wheel, ( although 99% of roads weren't a problem........it does encourage you NOT to speed in towns where most bumpy roads occur), which I left in place to avoid grounding the zorst/rear diff!!

When lightly loaded, no probs.

It pulls like a train, as you'd expect, and the percentage increase in fuel consumption isn't as high as you'd think, probably because you're not as lead-footed with the van on the back. I get around 22-25 mpg WITHOUT the van on, and 20-22mpg WITH it on! the Xantia, by comparison, will do 45 mpg without, but struggles to get over 30mpg WITH.

Most of my time in the Xantia is spent in 4th gear (out of 5), whereas the scoob will tow happily at 90kph in 5th. Even long steep motorway hills are no problem, you find yourself having to overtake all the french diesel-towed vans that bowl past you at anything up to 85 mph on the flat. I won't tow at more than 65 mph, whatever the limit, just personal choice, it'd certainly do it.

I DO use a stabiliser, it's a Scott, although I have heard good things about the newer Alko stabilisers. The rear overhang on the scoob is relatively short so it's a stable tow car.

Any other questions?

Alcazar

captain ted

Cheers Alcazar.

It was a genuine question. I just didn't want everyone coming on here squealing that caravans are bad and should not ruin the image of the Scoob by using it as a towcar.

What weight would you go up to (considering that family and luggage would also be added).

Ted.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

They Caravan club recommends not towing more than 80% of the car's kerb weight.

My van is 4m50cm, and weighs 950kg, which is around 1200 loaded.

I think that the 1200kg is on, or around the car's limit (classic).

Forgot to mention noseweight: the limit is 75kg.

Alcazar

Chip

Ive just checked my car against that database and its very very wrong. In fact the date of manufacture is over 3 years out of date.

Chip

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Sure you're on the right thread, guy?

Alcazar

captain ted

Thanks Alcazar.

So in theory a new shape one should be alowed more cos it is a heavier car?

DMC12

The max towing weight of the 01 WRX is 1200kg. That means the fully loaded caravan (usually quoted as the MPTLM) must not exceed this amount.

The kerbweight is (I think) aroung 1365kg, which gives a caravan to car weight ratio of 87%. In reality you'll have more weight in the car (luggage, passengers, etc) but will rarely load the caravan to its maximum. Remember the 85% is a guideline only.

There are plenty of caravans with an MPTLM of 1200kg or less.

Plenty of info on http://caravantalk.org.uk/forums/

Cheers Steve.

pslewis

I would recommend the Subaru SwanNeck, removable and lockable Towbar ... expensive, but superb.

The electrics, if you buy Subaru, just plugs and plays

Pete

fallwood

Ahhh at last a question I am qualified to answer. I own a caravan storage faciility so get a lot of feedback from customers as to which cars are good towers, a few of my customers have classic/newage wrx's and they all say that it is an excellent car for towing if you dont mind the pitifull mpg . Typicaly the stated towing limits of cars are generously understated for safety reasons, I know of at least 2 people that tow vans that weigh in excess of 1200kilos (when empty) and have reported no problems whatsoever, the alko stabilizer is recognised as the best available and I can vouch for its effectiveness from personal use. The forester seems to get good feedback as well.