Hybrid driving with a caravan is economical on paper, but what is it like in practice?
A hybrid car sounds like a logical choice if you prefer fuel-efficient driving and still want to travel with a caravan. In everyday driving, you often immediately notice the benefit of electric assistance when accelerating. With a caravan towed, that feeling changes. You demand more from the drivetrain, and that's where practical application comes into play. Perhaps you mainly commute during the week and head to a campsite a few times a year. In that case, you increasingly hear people say they prefer operating lease choose, because they like to continue driving a modern car without committing to a single purchase moment.
Why consumption increases faster with a caravan
With a caravan, you catch more wind. This is especially noticeable on longer journeys and at higher speeds. Even if your car is very fuel-efficient when driving solo, its consumption can increase significantly with a caravan. With a hybrid, there's another factor: when the battery provides less support, the petrol engine has to do more work. This can cause the car to suddenly rev higher, especially on hills or when overtaking. The advantage is that the electric clutch is often instantly available. This helps when pulling away on a hill or from a soft campsite. Plug-in hybrids, in particular, are known for their "smooth" towing from a standstill, but it's still important to ensure the towing capacity is appropriate for your caravan.
Towing weight and proportions
The basics remain simple: you may never tow more than the legal limit. The towing weight is listed on your vehicle registration certificate and in the RDW vehicle registry. There you can also find information about the combined maximum weight of your car and caravan. Driving experience depends not only on what is permitted, but also on what is sensible. The ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club), for example, uses the 75% rule as a guideline for stability: the (loaded) caravan weight should preferably not exceed 75% of the (loaded) car weight. This isn't a law, but it helps you drive more calmly and feel less of a push from the caravan.
How to get more out of hybrid technology on the road
Accelerating smoothly and looking ahead will help you benefit most from the electric assistance. Also, try to drive as consistently as possible, as frequent acceleration and braking uses extra energy. Charging a plug-in hybrid before departure can be helpful, but don't expect to drive "fully electric" with a caravan for long. It's striking that research shows that many caravan drivers are now embracing hybrid driving, while fully electric is even less popular as a tow vehicle, mainly due to the reduced range.