Hello everyone,

maybe not the best place to ask this, but does anyone around here tow a caravan with their superb? We are seriously considering getting a second hand one and the best deals here in Portugal are in the larger models. I just saw a 2011 Fendt Diamant 650 for a really good price and it looks awesome, in and out (going to visit sometime this week). The problem is, this is a big caravan! It weighs something like 1800kg, which is within the superb's 2200 kg towing limit, but I'm afraid it may be too much? I keep seeing "don't go over 85% of the car's kerb weight", which would be around 1350 Kg in my case. In this weight class I can only find older, uglier things (sure, cheaper), or go new, which is a bit much €€€ for a first time caravaner... 

I'd like to hear people's thought on this, please.

Cheers!

One thing you have on your side with the Superb, is that it has a lower centre of gravity than an SUV such as the Kodiaq. The Superb would also be less affected by strong crosswinds than SUVs and big vans. Some big vans (such as Renault Master) and some pickups (Nissan Navara) can officially tow 3,500kg.

 

The Superb also has a long wheelbase and a wide front and rear track, which helps stability.

 

If you are towing a big caravan with the Superb, don't drive like this:

 

 

Edited 29 July, 20205 yr by Carlston

What do these videos mean? That I shouldn't drive the superb like a maniac trying to avoid obstacles? In over 20 years driving I never did anything of the sort with a car, I drive calmly an pretty much always defensively. I don't trust most other humans on the road 😅

6 hours ago, pcspinheiro said:

What do these videos mean? That I shouldn't drive the superb like a maniac trying to avoid obstacles? In over 20 years driving I never did anything of the sort with a car, I drive calmly an pretty much always defensively. I don't trust most other humans on the road 😅

In Sweden moose suddenly running out of the forest onto the road is a real problem which results in many deaths (people and moose) every year, so this test is of real interest to drivers in Sweden - but possibly not of so much interest to the rest of the world?

Ah! I see. Very few moose in southern Europe 😅 though I guess an animal can get in the way at anytime. They're usually not that big. I'd rather hit a dog than crash trying to avoid one... If I were to get a caravan, irrespective of the size, I would be driving slow, taking main roads and avoiding highways. Most times the trip is part of the fun and these days we just want to get there. I get it, especially now that I have kids and backseat fights are often miniature world wars... But yeah, the idea is something to get into and go slow, leave behind, visit and sleep, not something to just get there, otherwise the superb alone is quite capable (like when we drove all the way from centre Portugal to Disneyland). 

Wow - that is a big caravan.

It wouldn't phase me towing something that big with my Superb, but Op, would your car have enough torque to pull it?

1 minute ago, Bigeater said:

Wow - that is a big caravan.

It wouldn't phase me towing something that big with my Superb, but Op, would your car have enough torque to pull it?

 

The 2.0 TDI 150PS engine has 340Nm of torque. If it didn't have enough torque, it wouldn't be rated to pull 2,200kg.

I think the car is quite capable of towing this caravan, my issue is safety and most advise to never exceed 100% the car's kerb weight, with 85% being the safe option. If there's a real truth here, I don't know... Beats me why skoda would rate the superb to tow 2.2t braked if it was beyond safety limits...

Edited 29 July, 20205 yr by pcspinheiro

31 minutes ago, pcspinheiro said:

I think the car is quite capable of towing this caravan, my issue is safety and most advise to never exceed 100% the car's keen weight, with 85% being the safe option. If there's a real truth here, I don't know... Beats me why skoda would rate the superb to tow 2.2t braked if it was beyond safety limits...

 

The 85% figure that is often quoted will be to take into account the worst drivers who would maybe brake too late, take corners too quickly, etc. A 1,400kg car towing a 1,800kg caravan will mean that you have to drive more smoothly take than a 1,400kg car towing a 1,200kg caravan. Give it a go, and if you find the tail wagging the dog you know that you need a bigger towing vehicle.

Thanks for that insight.  I already drive very smoothly but not yet having a towbar fitted I can't try it out... Plus, the one I particularly like is a parked caravan (maybe chosen for this due to size) and the guy wouldn't just undo the whole thing for a test drive. And to pay 10k to find out it's not right one for the car would be a costly mistake... Ayway, I'm visiting tomorrow or Friday, no harm done unless I like it even more than from the photos 

I've been talking down on the superb as a towcar before but my opinion has changed during this vacation

I tow a Polar 680 with a total weight of 1900kg.

it sure feels that there's a lot of weight behind the car but it doesn't struggle at all (I have the 190tdi 4x4).

It's really important to match the weight over the towbar with the recommendations, if you don't it's really dangerous.

 

Superb has quite a long rear overhang which makes it "spungy" with a heavy trailer or caravan attached to it.

Overall I'm pleased with the experience but I do miss the TC gearbox from our XC70 when reversing and manouvering in tight spots.

Picture of car and caravan