Anyone tow a caravan with a Shuttle 104hp?

[Nickmac21]

Hi

I want to have a towbar fitted to pull a caravan (maybe 1500kg) with my Shuttle, I think its the 5 speed 104hp version. Does anyone have this setup and does this model tow OK? I know its lower down the power spectrum. It would only be every now and again to take the kids away. Cheers

 

[Dellmassive]

Interesting question.

I'd assume it's underpowered.

Let's see if anyone has any experience.

 

[Sasquatch]

I've towed a wally wagon with a car that only had 90 BHP and a hairdryer like 205NM and I'm still alive, so the numbers themselves aren't problematic.

The gearing/spacing and how annoying it might/not be would be the biggest question in my mind.

 

[Dundee_Kev]

Pop onto this site and put your van and caravan details in. Gives a decent enough idea

TowCarCalculator

Find out how your car and caravan match to ensure that your outfit is safe and comfortable to tow. Calculate speeds, road gradients and the stability of your caravan

towcar.info

 

[Nickmac21]

Pop onto this site and put your van and caravan details in. Gives a decent enough idea

TowCarCalculator

Find out how your car and caravan match to ensure that your outfit is safe and comfortable to tow. Calculate speeds, road gradients and the stability of your caravan

towcar.info

Thanks, just had a look, quite an interesting site

 

[Dundee_Kev]

Thanks, just had a look, quite an interesting site

Yeah, it's good for a laugh seeing what it thinks your car/van will perform.

I just popped my van details in and paired to the caravan we had and gives a 0-60 time of 34 secs! Where as on my Tesla it is 6.3 secs. Pity I'm not allowed a towbar on the Tesla, would be good fun annoying people!

 

[JumpShip]

I have towed a 1550kg caravan with a 102bhp 5 speed , yes it's doable, you have to carry as much speed as you can up big hills but other than that its no big drama .

 

[RobertO2023]

The power to weight ratio will be interesting ! Guessing circa 35 bhp / tonne

 

[Nickmac21]

I have towed a 1550kg caravan with a 102bhp 5 speed , yes it's doable, you have to carry as much speed as you can up big hills but other than that its no big drama .

Thanks for your reply, I wouldnt go far to be honest, more just a bit of fun for the kids now and again, When i had a camper i used to go to a couple of the VW festivals (Camper jam etc...) which would be nice again with a caravan, For me most of that run was Motorway so hopefully once up to cruising speed it will be all good. Cheers

 

[Kind of Blue]

Lets not forget that we take for granted 100++bhp per litre, only a few decades prior vehicles towed caravans or trailers with vehicles producing far less. I remember that late 60's ,70's vehicles like the twin-cam escorts only producing just over 112 bhp out of just over one and a half litres and thy by norm at the time were considered powerful. In any case it is not just about bhp it is available torque and how and where it is produced that is more relevant. Towing vehicles are restricted by speed limits so they do not really need to overcome much in the way of air resistance. With a lower powered vehicle one just needs to give a little more thought to the gear shift and braking considerations.

 

[Kind of Blue]

In any case, lower powered tow cars are the fastest cars on normal roads by far!


They are always at the front of the traffic!

 

[Nickmac21]

In any case, lower powered tow cars are the fastest cars on normal roads by far!


They are always at the front of the traffic!

Nice clear road ahead!

 

[JumpShip]

Either a caravan or a tractor normally ahead of me