At the moment I have 2 cars and a caravan.

My cars are:

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI 170PS DSG

(Jan 2012 - around 2000 miles - metallic grey)

Audi A5 3.0 TDi convertible

(July 2010 - around 7000 miles - red)

Both stunning cars from the same stable - in particular, I adore the Audi although, for it's size, it's really a big 2+2.

As I'm 58, single and somewhat disabled, it is time to be realistic and trade the two for one. As my caravan (which I bought a month ago) is big but not too heavy, I'm considering going for a Superb estate.

Having spent hours surfing through the options, it looks as though the Superb V6 Elegance estate will fit the bill.

I would have preferred a diesel (as I plan to do a lot of European touring) but the V6 doesn't look too thirsty and it certainly has the oomph to tow the caravan. I'm not sure how good the 2.0 TDI DSG (yeah - it must be an "auto") would be towing the 'van. Also, Skoda have the "no VAT" deal on petrol Superbs, but not on diesel Superbs.

My caravan is a Sprite Quattro FB, 2011 year's model - one careful owner before I bought it - and I'll need to carry a powered wheelchair (about 60kg) in the back of the tow-car, with a wheelchair lift.

If any member is running a Superb V6 - even better, as a tow car - I'd be grateful for any feedback.

I haven't had a chance to trawl through the forum yet but will do so to pick up as many tips as possible.

Many thanks and happy motoring!

Simon

Maybe this needs moving to the superb section. The V6 superb is the one to go for I reckon.

At the moment I have 2 cars and a caravan.

My cars are:

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI 170PS DSG

(Jan 2012 - around 2000 miles - metallic grey)

Audi A5 3.0 TDi convertible

(July 2010 - around 7000 miles - red)

Both stunning cars from the same stable - in particular, I adore the Audi although, for it's size, it's really a big 2+2.

As I'm 58, single and somewhat disabled, it is time to be realistic and trade the two for one. As my caravan (which I bought a month ago) is big but not too heavy, I'm considering going for a Superb estate.

Having spent hours surfing through the options, it looks as though the Superb V6 Elegance estate will fit the bill.

I would have preferred a diesel (as I plan to do a lot of European touring) but the V6 doesn't look too thirsty and it certainly has the oomph to tow the caravan. I'm not sure how good the 2.0 TDI DSG (yeah - it must be an "auto") would be towing the 'van. Also, Skoda have the "no VAT" deal on petrol Superbs, but not on diesel Superbs.

My caravan is a Sprite Quattro FB, 2011 year's model - one careful owner before I bought it - and I'll need to carry a powered wheelchair (about 60kg) in the back of the tow-car, with a wheelchair lift.

If any member is running a Superb V6 - even better, as a tow car - I'd be grateful for any feedback.

I haven't had a chance to trawl through the forum yet but will do so to pick up as many tips as possible.

Many thanks and happy motoring!

Simon

I'm no help whatsoever but thought i'd say a neighbourly hello...

Yup - sorry - I'm so used to the Octavia that I went for the wrong forum! I blame the Strongbow....

Much egg on face :-(

Thanks sly200sx - I've just been up to Chathams to find that the local Skoda dealer is now West End Skoda.

Edited 24 November, 201213 yr by Simon Brooke

I'd have thought your current Octavia is easily up to the job of towing a caravan? It's barely run in!

I'd have thought your current Octavia is easily up to the job of towing a caravan? It's barely run in!

Yes but V6 Superb so much nicer

My son's a rozzer and he says his traffic division has a V6 Superb estate and that it's awesome and they all love it. Can't comment on it as a towcar but he says it's certainly got grunt and they've had over 160 out of it

An RS TDI wouldn't have any problems whatsoever towing a caravan, I don't think. So your need for a tow vehicle is a bad excuse to go car shopping.

Go for it!!

A mate has just bought the Passat CC 3.6 TSI DSG with, I think, the same engine. Unbelievable car - love my TSI vRS, but the smoothness of the V6 and the power is VERY impressive.

As a family man, if I could afford to swap to the V6 Estate, I would - in a heartbeat!!

Lucky you. Enjoy the car hunt!

Yup - sorry - I'm so used to the Octavia that I went for the wrong forum! I blame the Strongbow....

Much egg on face :-(

Thanks sly200sx - I've just been up to Chathams to find that the local Skoda dealer is now West End Skoda.

Thats where i bought my car. Really nice chap - Donald King, highly recommended!

Have you seen the VED on the V6 or are you exempt?

What is the weight of the van, it will be in the book or on the plate next to the van door, if its below 1400kg your octy will tow it with ease and save you some fuel, the fuel consumption on the V6 will be quite high and even higher with the van attached

I personally would go for the 140 or 170 tdi CR with DSG, in estate form so you can get the WC in

Don't get a dull diesel. Get the V6 Superb, looks a er... Superb!

Towing with a, already not soo economical, petrol? What would annoy me most, is the small tank the Superb has.

And the lack of low down grunt, it will pull enormously if on song. But low down an automatic big diesel will have much advantage.

As with mpg, dont think you will have good miles to the gallon with the V6 towing, here.

Might even be better to get a hook for the A5. Nice tow car, quattro and if you are at your place of destination, unhook and enjoy driving with the hood down.

Especially as both your cars are nearly new and depreciation will be immense!

Hi Simon,

I'd have thought your current Octavia is easily up to the job of towing a caravan? It's barely run in!

Dodgy has good sentiment there, the Octavia would pull the caravan but I would definitely recommend that you do not, not only are you on dodgy ground but you are also bordering on the illegal. The Sprite has an MTPLM of about 1570kg, that equates to roughly 102% of the kerbweight of your Octavia so if you were to get pulled over by the rozzers you could be in big trouble. The Audi should be OK but the only info I can find doesn't show if it is the drop top or normal car, the Superb should be OK as it has a higher kerbweight and the tow matching indicates the caravan being 89% of the kerbweight of the car. My combination has a caravan weight that is 88% of the car and that pulls along nicely.

http://www.towcar.info/index.php

If the link works correctly that is a good site to find weights and compatibility from, it is a Dutch site so some of the outfits may not be exact but they give you a good indication.

Ian

• Unbraked Towing Weight
  750 kg Braked Towing Weight
  2100 kg Year - 2011
  
• 6 berth
  
• TWIN axle
  
• Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 1340
  
• Mass in Running Order (Cwt) - 26.4
  
• Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1555
  

Should have NP towing with the OCTY if you can keep it to the MIRO or just above

Unbraked Towing Weight

650 kg Braked Towing Weight

1400 kg

The Audi will definitely tow

Unbraked Towing Weight

750 kg Braked Towing Weight

2100 kg

Edited 25 November, 201213 yr by skippy41

True Skippy but it doesn't take much weight in the caravan to take it up. Remember the MIRO is the base weight of the caravan to which you must add the weight of gas bottles, awning and general everyday stuff, not forgetting a motor mover which the OP would have on the caravan to make it easier to move considering he states he has physical problems, that alone will weigh the high side of 30kg.

Also, in certain parts of the country, especially down in the west country, the police are pretty hot on pulling over caravans and escorting them to VOSA stations. If they find the plated max weight of the caravan is over the authorised max towing weight of the car they will immediately issue a prohibition and not allow the outfit onto the road until a vehicle with sufficient plated towing weight is found. If you are lucky that is all that will happen, if they are in a bad mood you will likely get procecuted.

Ian

Edited 25 November, 201213 yr by countryboy

I would be looking towards something bigger .... Freelander or Santa fee etc.

I've got such a hankering for a V6 estate. Would need to properly research what it would take to get it up to R36 output though. Could stick my air ride straight on it with nothing extra to buy. Would be amazing.

Can you get a V6 with 4 wheel drive? if so thats the one id get,my dad has just bought a jag x type diesel estate of a guy who has a caravan & he says you need 4 wheel drive as getting traction with a front wheel drive & whilst towing a caravan on wet grass is nearly impossible.

The V6 Superb is 4x4

I've got such a hankering for a V6 estate. Would need to properly research what it would take to get it up to R36 output though. Could stick my air ride straight on it with nothing extra to buy. Would be amazing.

Why not get an R36 wagon? Saw one at inters do mid 5 seconds to 60.

Superb estate is just more appealing somehow.

I would have thought that a 170 CR would be a better option for towing - what with the torque and the fact that the Superb's fuel tank across the range is dreadful for such a big car. How many times a year are you towing? If it's very irregular then the V6 is great, if it's every weeekend then a diesel would be better IMO.

OT: Nick's desire for a Superb V6 - that's another thread entirely!!!! Try here for some inspiration Nick: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/204454-lowering-estate-edited-with-pics/

I would have preferred a diesel (as I plan to do a lot of European touring) but the V6 doesn't look too thirsty and it certainly has the oomph to tow the caravan.

Diesel economy kicks in very hard under heavy loads. I wouldn't be surprised if the diesel would only consume half the fuel compared to the petrol while towing. Driving alone in the car without a caravan the differences might not be so obvious. I guess its low end torque that matters the most. All I can say is after 3 roadtrips to the Norwegian mountains - never again with a petrol.