ancientbrit

The general consensus in the industry is to use the 85% rule regarding weight /balance. The car nose weight limit will be in the technical specs. The maximum weight of the loaded van should be very close to the weight of the 85% of the car . I would suggest you try to make the nose weight as high and easy to handle as possible and certainly not exceed the recommended limit for both car and van. So using the 1500Kg for the van the car should be around 1800Kg. For practical reasons the car would be loaded with driver/passengers etc. so the weight would then tend towards the acceptable balance of the total combination. Enjoy

Apologies - too interested in fuel info! Cheers

Impressive! Which engine? Regards

I have been towing caravans around for a loooooong time and would like to suggest the following regarding the snaking. Apologies if this seems like sucking eggs! Make sure the nose weight is as near the allowable limit as specified by the van manufacturer as well as the load for the tow ball. I have worked on the principle when I was younger and stronger of lifting the hitch with the wheel brace to give me a guide. Never thought of a bathroom scales! As you have indicated the the replacement of the internal friction pads may well be called for. As an historical aside before this method of damping came in [ALKO?] I had what was effectively a leaf spring fixed to the tow ball mount and extending down the side of the A frame to an L shaped bracket. The amount of lateral friction was controlled by an adjustable screw clamp working in the same way as a 1930 damper on car suspensions. When towing on a motorway keep an eye out for artic lorries overtaking as the side draught can start the back end of the van swinging. [some do exceed the 60 mph limit which of course you know is also the legal towing limit for caravans so we are always in with the HGV's] The caravan industry seems to promote the balance ratio of 85% [car/caravan] Whilst the Superb handbook is I think quoted with a towing capacity of 2000kg I would be wary of going that high. I tow a Bailey Indiana rated at 1500kg with no problems. Hope all works out well Norm

Re Dieselgate. Mine is an excellent tow car. Bought as replacement for Audi A6 Allroad [2004] Virtually the same performance. Just finished a circular tour around East/West and North of England over a month No hassles except intimate contact with a pothole that felt more like a mine shaft. Anyway, now for MOT and replacement tyres. Regards Re Gammyleg From memory travelling west on M4 after the M25/M4 junction. Every time I went that route it was always there. All the best to everyone

Hi I have the same model as you - all wheel, 190 and have settled down to expecting the following consumption figures over 40,000 mile General running about on A roads and lower B [&C] 30/gal Towing 1500 caravan - mainly on motorway - 25/gal Moving on motorway at around 70, about 45/50 I do a regular run from Herts to Kent of 90 miles. This has enabled me to play[?] around with the rate of travel. When running at a steady 60 mph I reached 60/gal ! Travelling at 60 means you are amongst the HGV folk so there are more gear changes when holding that speed. Weekend is quieter! [A caravan attached legally restricts me to 60] I have also looked at the consumption when forced to the mandatory 50 in motorway roadworks. This can be used as a good indicator. Just zero the reading at the start and finish of the works. Most of the driving is done in the economy mode of gear selection which really has no real measurable effect but I can detect an early change up. Using the Cruise Control uses up more fuel - your foot is better when there are gradients. These are a few observations over an enjoyable tenure without any faults. I hope you have the same. Regards