best van for towing car trailer...

[BrokenBiker]

me an the mrs have been talking and for once she has agreed that a van may be helpful leading up to when we move...

i floated this idea a while back when we started talking about moving and she just kept saying to hire one when we needed it but we are planning on moving over a month to 6 weeks, get the important stuff in on day 1 then the other stuff as and when so i also have time to tart this place up to get my bond back (need to fill a few nail holes from pictures and re-paint to the colour it was when we moved in)...

anyway, if im gonna buy a van then i should probably get one that would be capable of towing the megane on a trailer (i have the right license for it before anyone asks)...i know a guy with a car trailer and winch that i could use if needed as and when the megane breaks down and the mrs is in it panicking etc...

once the megane is gone and we have moved i will probably sell it when the insurance is due for renewal so im not looking at a long term van, just a good solid strong one that hasnt got a renault badge on it...

with my pay rise and the mrs's new job we could be putting about 700 a month back if we really tried so i wanna know what im looking for ready for when i have the money

 

[bigegg]

Ex rac/aa transit.
Mines rated for 5.2t gtw - 1.8t empty, so good for a 3t trailer plus fuel/driver.

 

[bigegg]

I paid 700 with 9 months mot

 

[BrokenBiker]

Ex rac/aa transit.
Mines rated for 5.2t gtw - 1.8t empty, so good for a 3t trailer plus fuel/driver.

what model is it if you dont mind me asking? are the aa/rac ones modified to tow that much?

 

[bigegg]

Dunno the model off the top of my head - 150 i think(?).
Its a '98

 

[bigegg]

Its not specifically modified for aa/rac - but they bought a lot of them

 

[BrokenBiker]

ah fair enough...i was looking at a t350 MWB a while back but dont need a MWB any more. the van you have seems to fit my bill though...i reckon at most i would need to tow 2T if the megane is loaded up with fuel and whatever else may be in it...

 

[wristpin]

If you're towing a trailer with an empty van you are better off with rear wheel drive than front .

 

[BrokenBiker]

If you're towing a trailer with an empty van you are better off with rear wheel drive than front .

i can put ballast in it if needs be, and it wont be a very frequent thing...i could easilly put a ton in the back of the van with stuff i have in the garden

 

[CompoSimmonite]

A decent van that will do what you want will be serious money - as long as you understand that.
So if you have the funds then I'd say look at the towing capacities to help decide. Megane is, say, 1 ton (depending on how much has fallen off ) then add trailer, say, another ton so you'd need a towing capacity of 2 tons. Doubt many smaller SWB vans would be suitable. RWD also preferable.
I'd say you'd be looking at a LWB Transit sized van to stay within the law. Merc Sprinter, VW Crafter, etc ?
Mrs is probably right - hire a van for towing when Megane breaks down and get a SWB Transit to do the house move. Easily resellable and a lot cheaper than a van that has the towing capacity you'd need for something that might never happen.

 

[bigegg]

Just looked - its a mk5 150. Swb
Rwd.
If youre shopping for one, look for six stud rear axle.
5 stud is only 3.5t gtw.

190 is 5.5t gtw, but might be only lwb

 

[bigegg]

On mine, MAM is 3.2t.
Megane + trailer will be c. 2t so you could potentially fully load the van.
70mph absolute max top speed tho - downhill, with a tailwind.
50 is more realistic.

 

[bigegg]

Understood pdg.
So i could (licence permitting) tow a trailer plated at a max of 2t gvw
NOT 3.5t as i stated earlier

 

[bigegg]

Did they change the numbering system? For a while at least the number meant something, like a t350 was 3.5t gross (plus some or other trailer weight).

Well, that's what I was lead to believe - it's possible I was mislead

Used to be.
I thought 150 meant 1500kg load, but i was disabused of that idea when i asked on the transit forum a couplea years ago

 

[colnerov]

Hi, For a while they went on the rated capacity of the trailer, loaded or not. So you couldn't tow an empty 3.5T trailer behind a 2T van. Now they go by the actual weight of the trailer and load.

Colin

 

[bigegg]

Hi, For a while they went on the rated capacity of the trailer, loaded or not. So you couldn't tow an empty 3.5T trailer behind a 2T van. Now they go by the actual weight of the trailer and load.

Colin

Cite?
Cos gov.uk seems to imply otherwise.

 

[BrokenBiker]

so....maybe a disco instead then haha...maybe i just stick with paying mates rates to have it recovered if needs be then lol...dont want a LWB as got no where to park it, no need for it either really...looking at SWB but i will have a look at the towing rating for a few different models online

 

[colnerov]

Cite?
Cos gov.uk seems to imply otherwise.

Hi, I was told it on my last CPC course. I can't find it online at the moment I'll have a look later to confirm.

Colin

 

[Gritineye]

Cite?
Cos gov.uk seems to imply otherwise.

I have a VOSA memo sent to me by Ifor Williams saved somewhere on an old pc that proves it. Can't be bothered to look for it but I've posted it on this site before.

 

[winchman]

I would suggest you do your maths a few times and check the VOSA site and the law as I know of a few people who have been caught out towing over weight.
I have a Discovery, tows most things but not much room inside to be honest I can fit more in my Picasso