Towing

[banger]

Hi , first post so here goes, I am changing my T reg (99) 1.9td lx saloon this week for a 2.0 hdi (110BHP) estate (51PLATE)

Any body towed with one its a good match for our van 87% of kerb weight I'm hoping for a less stressful drive with more power and improved mpg.

[Johndouglas]

You should find an improvement in your towing with the HDI, but maybe not a great improvement on fuel consumption. I use a 2.1 Xantia to pull my van at about 87% ratio, and it does around 29mpg.

[truemouse]

If this is for camping holidays, Might I suggest

[img]http://freebornmotorhomes.com/images/db_photos/OUTLOOK%5EE.jpg[/img]

[truemouse]

Keep in mind that if the vehicle is lighter, that doesn't mean it'll be easier on the gas while towing. Possibly the opposite. If it's built to carry a lighter load normally then it'll probably be less prepared to pull additional weight.

Also the key thing about pulling is that you should not pull more than the towing vehicle weighs, otherwise stopping becomes a real issue, even with an electronic brake controller.

I speak from experience of customers walking into my U-Haul office looking to pull a full size 1 ton pick up with a down-sized quarter ton van. I've had occasions where they've lied to me and said they're pulling a lighter load and suddenly gotten a phone call seeking help when the load turns out to be something twice as heavy as they've said and they've got done screwed it up hard against a lamp-post.

Basically, lighter is not always better.

[img]http://www.projectbronco.com/Cartoon/boat_truck.jpg[/img]
Don't let this be you.