Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Roger777 on 08 January 2011, 15:53:58

Title: Towing
Post by: Roger777 on 08 January 2011, 15:53:58
Hi has anyone towed with a 2.lt Auto 99 plate van is a Avondale Landranger 640 twin wheeler aprox 1690 kgs full up
and thanks to all for the help upto now
 ;) ::)
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2011, 15:58:08
Quote
Hi has anyone towed with a 2.lt Auto 99 plate van is a Avondale Landranger 640 twin wheeler aprox 1690 kgs full up
and thanks to all for the help upto now
 ;) ::)

Without looking specifically, I'd have thought that a 1700kg would be a bit heavy for an Omega, especially a 2.0 litre. It's not the pulling you need to be aware of, it's stopping it!  :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Steve Brookman on 08 January 2011, 15:59:20
I've towed for a number of years and think you may struggle power wise towing the landranger.

They are a heavy caravan.

I'd think twice about pulling it with my 3.0 estate.

Stopping could be a problem!


Title: Re: Towing
Post by: hercules on 08 January 2011, 16:05:13
have you checked what your car will pull cos i think your van unladen is right on the llimit,its not that it wouldnt pull it though maybe underpowered and you would see yer car temp reach heights its never seen before but its just not heavy enough..although twin axles are more stable on the road its the stopping i would be scared of,when i had my v6 there was many twins out there it would pull but imho i wouldnt have done it
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 08 January 2011, 16:27:57
Your car will tow a caravan of the correct maximum authorised mass with no problem.

Recommended MAM of the caravan is no more than 85% of the car's MAM - and I'm pretty sure that the law specifically states that the caravan cannot be heavier than the towing vehicle.

You could end up with the 'tail wagging the dog', as well as your insurance being invalid.

We tow a Bailey Ranger 500/5, and that's just under the Omega's capabilities using the '85% ratio' - that Landranger's simply too heavy for the car, although I don't doubt that it will physically pull it! 
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Roger777 on 08 January 2011, 16:31:33
Thank to all leave the van use hotels
 :D

Title: Re: Towing
Post by: paulg on 08 January 2011, 19:09:29
I tow a 600 swift challenger with my 2.5 with no problems, actually it tows better than my old rangie.
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2011, 19:14:29
Nige/Entwood is the man who's up to date with MAMs,  kerbweights, gross weights and another set of letters that has completely escaped me .......  ::) :y :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 08 January 2011, 19:22:29
Quote
Your car will tow a caravan of the correct maximum authorised mass with no problem.

Recommended MAM of the caravan is no more than 85% of the car's MAM - and I'm pretty sure that the law specifically states that the caravan cannot be heavier than the towing vehicle.

You could end up with the 'tail wagging the dog', as well as your insurance being invalid.

We tow a Bailey Ranger 500/5, and that's just under the Omega's capabilities using the '85% ratio' - that Landranger's simply too heavy for the car, although I don't doubt that it will physically pull it! 

Understand everything you have written there B but i thought that the 85% of the cars weight was something the Caravan Club introduced some years ago. Pretty sure that it is ok to tow the same weight.
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: VXL V6 on 08 January 2011, 19:28:07
It's a Carvan Club 'recommendation' I believe. I don't think you're breaking the law to be over the 85%, just not following their recommendation which wouldn't be the best idea as you'll discover when you try to stop it!

We tow a 1200 single axle (unladen) with the DTi estate without a problem - infact it's effortless, but then we only take the caravan down to Newquay at Easter and collect it in October, can;t be bothered dragging the thing around behind us every trip!

How does the Rangie tow LK?
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2011, 19:30:19
Quote
.....
Understand everything you have written there B but i thought that the 85% of the cars weight was something the Caravan Club introduced some years ago. Pretty sure that it is ok to tow the same weight.

It is just a recommendation/guide line for novice tow-ers.  :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 08 January 2011, 19:31:53
'MAM' is the maximum authorised mass.
'MTPLM' is the maximum total permitted laden mass.
Defined by the caravan manufacturer, they should not be confused with the 'unladen' weight of the 'van - which may well be compatible with an Omega.

Keep to the '85%' caravan-to-car ratio, and you'll be fine.


All our Omegas have been excellent tow cars - and all our 'vans have been bought with the aforementioned figures in mind.
That's one reason why we chose the Ranger 500/5 - as I would've dearly loved a Pageant Auvergne.
 :y
We've not had any braking/stability problems either - even with Mrs Sethsmate driving!
 :D
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Andy B on 08 January 2011, 19:34:34
Quote
....
'MTPLM' is the maximum total permitted laden mass ....

That's the one!  ::) ::) ;)
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 08 January 2011, 19:35:09
Quote
Quote
Your car will tow a caravan of the correct maximum authorised mass with no problem.

Recommended MAM of the caravan is no more than 85% of the car's MAM - and I'm pretty sure that the law specifically states that the caravan cannot be heavier than the towing vehicle.

You could end up with the 'tail wagging the dog', as well as your insurance being invalid.

We tow a Bailey Ranger 500/5, and that's just under the Omega's capabilities using the '85% ratio' - that Landranger's simply too heavy for the car, although I don't doubt that it will physically pull it! 

Understand everything you have written there B but i thought that the 85% of the cars weight was something the Caravan Club introduced some years ago. Pretty sure that it is ok to tow the same weight.

Yes Daz, that's right - though the caravan's total weight, shouldn't exceed that of the Omega's.
'Tail wagging the dog' scenario and all that! (Law)
'85% caravan-to-car' ratio is a Caravan Club recommendation that's served us well over the years!
 :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 08 January 2011, 19:49:45
I certainly would not want to risk it.  I once saw a twin axle van "wag a large and heavy 4x4 right over the M6! :o :o :o

In addition a 2.0 in my opinion is not powerful enough to tow such a caravan:P :P
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: hotel21 on 08 January 2011, 19:55:10
MTPLM is the Maximun Technically Permitted Legal Mass, not 'total'.

MAM is Maximum Authorised Mass (or 'total' mass) 

You are confusing apples and pears and getting oranges....   ;)
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: russ0205 on 08 January 2011, 20:01:24
Its o k to pull it but think about if you get into problems and the van takes over the car, used to pull a 26ft van with a shogun van weight 1880kg still a bit scary at times, Go for the hotel cheaper after extra fuel costs,insurance,van purchase,site fees been there done that and grew out of the t shirt  :y :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 08 January 2011, 20:06:55
Quote
MTPLM is the Maximun Technically Permitted Legal Mass, not 'total'.

MAM is Maximum Authorised Mass (or 'total' mass) 

You are confusing apples and pears and getting oranges....   ;)

I stand corrected my Celtic buddy! :-?
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: hotel21 on 08 January 2011, 20:25:51
Quote
Quote
MTPLM is the Maximun Technically Permitted Legal Mass, not 'total'.

MAM is Maximum Authorised Mass (or 'total' mass) 

You are confusing apples and pears and getting oranges....   ;)

I stand corrected my Celtic buddy! :-?

No probs B....   :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 08 January 2011, 20:45:05
Quote
I certainly would not want to risk it.  I once saw a twin axle van "wag a large and heavy 4x4 right over the M6! :o :o :o

In addition a 2.0 in my opinion is not powerful enough to tow such a caravan:P :P

Driven sensibly Lizzie, our former 2.0 GLS Auto coped very well indeed, though you'll note that our 'vans were always within the afore-mentioned '85% ratio'.
As an aside, it returned 22mpg when towing - the same as both our subsequent TDs!


Mrs Sethsmate loved that car! ;)
(And it's still going strong four years later with it's second subsequent fellow railwayman owner!). :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 January 2011, 23:46:00
I did work out the towing weights for the Omega once.

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/vauxhall.htm#omegas01

Implies 1700Kg for the 4 pots and up to 1850 for the V6.

I've towed right up to the limit for the 3.2, albeit a load without the huge wind loading of a mobile bedsit. Stability was no issue, stopping was no issue (we're taking about a braked trailer so it doesn't really impose too badly on the car braking system). I wouldn't fancy it with 4 pot power though. The 3.2 got a fair workout on the hills.

Remember to consider the maximum train weight. There isn't room for much load in the car (but any additional load should be there rather than in the caravan, obviously, as you want the car heavier than the load if possible).

Kevin
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: tunnie on 09 January 2011, 13:14:01
Quote
Quote
I certainly would not want to risk it.  I once saw a twin axle van "wag a large and heavy 4x4 right over the M6! :o :o :o

In addition a 2.0 in my opinion is not powerful enough to tow such a caravan:P :P

Driven sensibly Lizzie, our former 2.0 GLS Auto coped very well indeed, though you'll note that our 'vans were always within the afore-mentioned '85% ratio'.
As an aside, it returned 22mpg when towing - the same as both our subsequent TDs!


Mrs Sethsmate loved that car! ;)
(And it's still going strong four years later with it's second subsequent fellow railwayman owner!). :y

4pots are much better than people think, thats why I use it as part of my towing services  ::)  8-)

I got accused of towing a dead V6 too fast  :o  ;D
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: sport on 10 January 2011, 16:50:04
The towing limit for my 2.2 estate is  max 1700kg tow ball limit 75kg so the van is a little over the limit
My van is 1550 laden and just about tows it
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: blackviper90210 on 11 January 2011, 07:17:49
Been towing a Lunar Clubman 500/5 for a while now. My mig quite happily pulls it along without any problems!
Laden with gear & family, it returns 22mpg, not bad for a 10yr V6!   :y
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 January 2011, 12:05:51
2.0s are not that bad, you will be able to keep up and not hold people up but you will never get out of sports mode, and will have to use decent petrol eg Shell - this makes a huge difference - proven with 2.0CD on the M5.

V6s are a lot more relaxed and better on hills, and also like top gear more.
Title: Re: Towing
Post by: Seth on 11 January 2011, 12:32:24
Experienced similar meself, especially on the flat sections of the M5 crossing the Somerset Levels.
Whilst it was possible to get the 'box to 'lock-up' in top gear, the slightest turbulence from, say, an overtaking lorry, would immediately prompt a down-shift. This obviously upped the engine revs, and increased fuel consumption. There was no way of 'holding' the 'box in top gear, though if I'm correct, a Tech2 session can re-map the gearbox ECU to overcome this.

This was my only issue whilst towing with a 2.0 auto Omega, and as I've previously replied, found it to be quite a happy tow-car generally.
Obviously, a V6 would have more grunt! 

Title: Re: Towing
Post by: hercules on 11 January 2011, 12:53:15
best towcar ive had for power and rather stable too was the ole v6 but i do like my 4x4,nice and high big and safe excellent with a van on the back but the autobox only needs a fly to land on my right foot and it drops a gear and screams its shocking till you get a nice rolling speed