What is a good tow car?

No car is specifically designed as a tow vehicle for a caravan. But fortunately, most cars can indeed drive with a caravan. Of course, the car must match the caravan. There are a number of properties that you should take into account.

The best tow car doesn't really exist. Different situations and which features are most important to the user always result in a compromise. The routes to be driven, the type of holiday, the characteristics of the caravan and the cost determine which tow car is best suited. And that is different for everyone. Moreover, most people drive more kilometers without a caravan than with a caravan, so the daily driving characteristics are also important.

Curb weight of the tow vehicle

The heavier the curb weight of the car, the better the car performs as a caravan tractor. A loaded caravan should not actually be heavier than the empty car. And for a comfortable journey, the empty car should even be much heavier than the caravan. In fact, a high weight of the car is the most important characteristic for traveling safely and comfortably with a caravan

Draw weight

The car and the caravan also have a legal rule. The permitted maximum towing weight must therefore be at least as much as the caravan actually weighs. So including the load. A higher permitted towing weight than necessary does not make the car a better caravan tractor. However, the costs are then unnecessarily high, in terms of purchase, maintenance and consumption, as this is an unnecessarily large car.

Train weight of the tow vehicle

The driving license you need to drive a certain combination has a lot to do with the train weight. That is the sum of the car plus load and the caravan plus load. There are three types of driving licenses that relate to this. B, B+ and BE. With a B driver's license, the weight of the complete set as it is ready for departure may not exceed 3500 kg. A B+ driving license adjusts that limit upwards to 4350kg. With a BE driving license you are allowed to hang 3500kg on the towbar, without counting the weight of the car. If you managed to get BE before January 19, 2013, it will be even more fun. In that case there is no restriction on the weight of the combination or caravan. As long as the towbar and the car can handle it without exceeding the weights on the type plate or registration certificate.

Ball thrust

The permitted nose weight of a caravan on the car must be at least 5% of the caravan weight. A lower nose weight is not pleasant. Or you have to like the fact that your rear wheels come loose when you hit a bump. Too high a nose weight is of course not nice either. The car can then deflect so much that the drawbar will hit the ground. The type plate on the towbar ultimately determines the maximum permitted weight on the ball.

Tow car engine

A car that delivers a lot of torque at low speeds is best suited for towing a caravan. An engine with a turbo, whether petrol or diesel, usually provides a significant boost at low speeds and is therefore a better tractor than an engine with the same power but without a turbo. An exception to this are engines where the turbo starts a little later. At low revs you are left with turbo lag and that does not pull well. However, these are usually sporty models and you do not install a tow bar underneath.

It is usually more pleasant to tow with a diesel than with a comparable petrol engine. However, the differences have become increasingly smaller in recent years. Thanks to the electrical assistance, a hybrid car is also suitable for towing a caravan, provided the permitted towing weight is sufficient. You have to be careful with a 100% electric car. A large part is not suitable as a tow vehicle because there is no room for the hook or because the batteries can overheat when a heavy Tabbert is hooked up.

There is little difference between cars in fuel consumption with a caravan and an economical car consumes hardly less than a thirsty car. A diesel consumes approximately 20% less than a petrol engine, but this is offset by a higher purchase price and higher road tax. In addition, diesels are a hot topic for climatologists. You cannot enter today's environmental zones with an older diesel.

Gear box

Contemporary automatics can easily tow a caravan. The automatic transmission often knows which gear is best to select, otherwise manual intervention can be performed. Selecting a sports program is also an option. The engine then shifts up a gear to somewhat compensate for the extra pulling weight. Automatics with a short first gear and as many gears as possible are the most pleasant. Driving in traffic jams and the slope test is much easier with an automatic. The disadvantage of an automatic transmission is that the costs can be higher for purchase and possible repairs. By the way, a good old manual gearbox is also great to drive.

Drive

Four-wheel drive has an advantage in winter conditions or on a muddy campsite as there is much more traction. However, under normal circumstances these advantages are nil and it does not provide more stability. A 4WD is often slightly heavier and that can be an advantage under all circumstances.

Uphill, a rear-wheel drive car has slightly more grip than a front-wheel drive car. Driving up an unpaved road, for example at a campsite, is better, but in practice many situations are conceivable where front-wheel drive has advantages for the driving characteristics of the combination.

Chassis

If the suspension of the car in a heavy caravan sags far on the ball, there is a good chance that the caravan will hit the ground at a speed bump. If automatic level control is not available, auxiliary springs or after-market air suspension can provide a solution. Stiffer suspension and low-profile tires with increased tire pressure also provide a more stable ride. This also increases when the wheels are far back for a short rear crossing. A longer wheelbase also promotes this.

Interested in a tow car that suits you best? Then take a look www.bynco.com

You can find a matching caravan at www.camperscaravans.nl