Hi all, I’m a Skoda owner multiple times over, have always used this site yet never subscribed, 🙄.

 

we have a 2015 Octavia estate 1.6 diesel, (plus a fabia) we are thinking of towing a caravan with the Octavia, which I know is within the legal limits of the car, but has anyone any practical experience on towing a 4 berth with this model and engine? Is it sufficiently powerful to do the job? 
many comments would be much appreciated. 
thanks very much. 👍

 

Rich.

1 hour ago, Rica said:

we are thinking of towing a caravan with the Octavia

Does the car type approval data plate quote a towing weight? Not all Skodas do, so this is the first thing to check these days.

We tow a  4 berth van with a plated loaded max weight of 1150Kg with a 1.6 DSG diesel with no problems, but it is a lightweight van. As KenONeill says you will need to check your rated max towing weight, mine is 1800Kg. There is a lot of discussion online and Skoda websites as to whether it is necessary to upgrade the cooling system. I confess I never got to the bottom of the issue and have never had issues but then again I have a lightweight van.

I will double check the plate, I’m sure it is either 1500 or 1800kg. Thanks, good to know. 👍

Yes, it’s 1800kgs, looking at a van that is 1400kgs.

I have no experience of the 1.6TDI engine. However I do tow a 1420kg caravan with my vRS estate (245bhp + decent torque) and know the effect on the cars performance when hooked up. I think you'll be chugging up hills and acceleration for overtakes on the motorway will be slow. Though, these are just my anecdotal thoughts and I would probably go ahead and try it? Could always consider a remap if it does struggle. 

 

Stability wise, I don't think there will be a problem as long as you get the nose weight somewhere close (mines slightly over 75kg) and load the caravan sensibly. I've found that loading the car boot up as opposed to the caravan isn't necessarily the way to go. The Octavia is a great stable tow car, which when you're starting out is more important than having ample power.

60 MPH speed limit towing a caravan on a motorway.  Once off the slip road just pick a lane to the left hand side. 

AND , stick it in cruise control. 😁

Not when there is a caravan on the back. 

Absolutely use cruise control with the van 👍

@Swirly182 As well as a 245 ps do you have a DSG that just keeps rolling along not really needing to use even half the available power or torque?

@roottoot No it's an old school manual! As you suspect though, it's in 6th most of the time regardless of incline with plenty in reserve. Downside is 24mpg tops but I can live with that.

Thanks all, great to know the Octavia is a good tow car, but maybe not so many using the 1.6tdi version to tow a van. 
 

 

 

Upside of the 1.6 may be that I get 34 mpg towing, but then maybe it is my sedate approach to towing.

4 hours ago, GreenMachine1.6 said:

Upside of the 1.6 may be that I get 34 mpg towing, but then maybe it is my sedate approach to towing.

Well said 👍 A high annual towing mileage would make decent fuel economy more relevant. We like the mix of caravan breaks in the UK and all inclusive European resort holidays hence the acceptance of 24mpg whilst towing, not very much of the time.

Edited 3 September, 20223 yr by Swirly182