New Caravanner!

[jkspoff]

Well, the car is covered by warranty, so hopefully if it is something expensive it will be covered, do you think it could be the water pump, as the expansion tank is often showing no water but there doesn't appear to be a leak ?

[jkspoff]

Gal in garage having water pump checked for impellar issues. Hopefully will be back towing within a week ! Only been away in caravan for 1 night and already missing it, we did Harrogate in North Yorks for a trial weekend, everyone very friendly and helpful, must remember to take the BBQ next time ! Its a very slow and relaxing pace of life caravanning. :rolleyes:

[Grumpy]

Hope the car gets fixed soon so you can get to enjoy your new toy.

 

Buy yourself a cheep portable BBQ and keep it in the van. We cook on ours most nights (and some lunchtimes). If you are feeling posh then a gas one hooked up to the vans supply would be good.

[jkspoff]

Got a gas BBQ for home, so we will start taking that and as you mentioned hook it up through the caravan BBQ socket. Car being fixed this week hopefully, need to take it on a test run before loading the family in for a trip off, better Gal overheating with just me than the whole clan !

[28vr6]

The first time we took our new van for a test weekend away the car (lagunaMk1 - never touch french again) decidede it would demonstrate it's dislike for towing by blowing the head gasket so our 1st night was in a layby in dorset, woken up to the sound of tractors in a ploughing competion good to watch whilst waiting for the tow home - Green Flag through the Caravan Club tow you to your holiday with van and tow you back at the end - cheap compared to the others :(

[28vr6]

Should've mentioned the stabiliser, vital on any journey you never know when you need its assistance in damping down a potential snake, having towed 30ft glider trailers to the moon and back they are vital on any towing journey. The spring leaf friction plate needs to be regularly adjusted for best damping as it is effectively a disc brake and wears down in use thus becomes less good at damping. The Alko built in stabilisers us internal friction plates clamped to the ball hitch - Do Not lubricate the ball otherwise you'll trash the plates. The ball must be spotlessly clean metal, Alko long reach balls come painted Black which must be removed before use - Happy towing :(

[Chris Jones]

One last little but vry important point when did you past your test? I need to google a bit but I recall a change in what your licence allows you to tow after a certain yr.

 

I'm off to google now to confirm

[Chris Jones]

Towing trailers or caravans with vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes

In this article reference is made to the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permissible maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.

Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats

Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.

 

For example:

 

a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle

Whereas

 

the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle

Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

Towing caravans

As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.

 

An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

 

By passing a category B test national categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically.

Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM

Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. There is no category B+E theory test. For driver licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.

 

Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E and all larger vehicles. In addition to the new driving tests, drivers of vehicles which fall within subcategories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E also have to meet higher medical standards.

 

Full details here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Drive...cles/DG_4022564

Edited June 14, 2007 by Chris Jones

[jkspoff]

Well, since I started this post we've been off all over the place, most recently to Sandringham estate, a beautiful week spent there, apart from the British weather. I have got used to the towing and almost perfected the manoevering, its not quite as scary as I thought it would be, you just need to take your time.

I never thought I would hear myself say this, but caravanning is a great way of seeing the country cheaply and its really good fun. I can't understand why some caravanners drive so slowly, there is no need to travel below any caravan speed limit, unless your towing outfit is not matched well.

Next stop Chatsworth estate.

Caravanning means that every time you are bored sat at home on a weekend off, or during the kids holidays, just hitch up and off you go, parks start at as little as

Edited August 20, 2007 by jkspoff

[Smilge]

BUT:

Not using the Galaxy to tow any more, it just didn't like it, overheating still, after trying almost everything possible to stop it, and spending hundreds. So we've been using my wifes Scenic 1.9DCI (120bhp), and it pulls better and is more stable than the Galaxy, plus it returns 33mpg when towing, so all in all its surprisingly good.

 

Traitor !!! ....... to the gallows with you JK ...... :(

[Grumpy]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your caravanning.

 

Surprised to hear that the Scenic is such a good tow car, I had been told it was a bit lightweight for towing. We used to have a 99 1.6 petrol but bought a diesel Xantia for caravan pulling duties. Now the Galaxy has taken over that duty.

[tim-spam]

Not using the Galaxy to tow any more, it just didn't like it, overheating still, after trying almost everything possible to stop it, and spending hundreds. So we've been using my wifes Scenic 1.9DCI (120bhp), and it pulls better and is more stable than the Galaxy, plus it returns 33mpg when towing, so all in all its surprisingly good.

I thought the overheating was caused by the remap. If it is still overheating with the remap removed, then I would guess that the head gasket is leaking with the engine under load (hence the pressure in the system and the substantial rise in water level when you remove the cap) - probably damage done by the remap.

 

As regards stability, I would be amazed if a Scenic was as stable as a Galaxy when towing. For one thing, the Galaxy is heavier. Another thing to check, by the way, is the permissible towing weight - Renault are notorious for low homologated towing limits.

 

My Alhambra tows up hill and down dale with 1350kg on the back and never budges from 90 degC, even in the South of France climbing long gradients at 65+mph. In short, a superb towcar, and highly recommended by the Caravan Club.

[Smilge]

Would tend to agree with you Tim ...... mines around the same weight as yours and I tow up Dinas Mawddwy .....needle doesn't move a fraction! Now here's a test.

 

Dinas Mawddwy

Edited August 29, 2007 by Bleeno

[jkspoff]

Not using the Galaxy to tow any more, it just didn't like it, overheating still, after trying almost everything possible to stop it, and spending hundreds. So we've been using my wifes Scenic 1.9DCI (120bhp), and it pulls better and is more stable than the Galaxy, plus it returns 33mpg when towing, so all in all its surprisingly good.

I thought the overheating was caused by the remap. If it is still overheating with the remap removed, then I would guess that the head gasket is leaking with the engine under load (hence the pressure in the system and the substantial rise in water level when you remove the cap) - probably damage done by the remap.

 

As regards stability, I would be amazed if a Scenic was as stable as a Galaxy when towing. For one thing, the Galaxy is heavier. Another thing to check, by the way, is the permissible towing weight - Renault are notorious for low homologated towing limits.

 

My Alhambra tows up hill and down dale with 1350kg on the back and never budges from 90 degC, even in the South of France climbing long gradients at 65+mph. In short, a superb towcar, and highly recommended by the Caravan Club.

 

Yes, it is still overheating when under load, even without the caravan now, it is loosing water when pushed hard, but no sign of leakage, so I suspect a head gasket or split cylinder head, so it no longer tows.

The Scenic proved itself on a long journey down to Norfolk last week, I have a stabiliser fitted and it scores highly on the http://www.whattowcar.com web site. Try it out, by selecting your car then caravan, it tells you the weight ratio and the pulling abilities based on your outfit.

The Scenic felt stable in windy conditions, and perfomed well with 120bhp up long hills. I too was surprised, I think the wheels being right at the back help, no overhang to swing about.

[tim-spam]

Yes, it certainly sounds like a cylinder head gasket - get it fixed, and you'll be able to tow again and enjoy the benefits of a larger, more stable towcar.

 

As regards the Scenic, the homologated towing mass is 1300kg as against 2000kg for the Galaxy. There aren't many 5-berth caravans with a maximum permissible mass of less than 1300kg, so your outfit may be a little marginal.

 

The '85% rule' is only a guide (although obviously a good one), and if you tow slightly more than this, and the outfit is properly loaded and stable, there should be no problem. However, if you exceed the homologated towing mass of the car, you are breaking the law and may be subject to prosecution if stopped. Your insurance will also be void.

[wirral tourer]

It took us a few times to get into it but we really enjoy it now.

 

Pitching up is defintely the most stressful time - getting the right pitch, reversing into the spot properly whilst people watch, getting level, putting the awning up. But now its a doddle. Be patient and enjoy! (a couple of glasses of wine help to wind down)