|
The problem with engines and gearing is that you never know what its going to be like getting the combination rolling till you actually test it out for yourself at that weight in less than ideal conditions, presumably this is where caravan magazines (i assume they test tow cars because you hear of towcars of the year) come in useful, maybe an avenue to pursue?
Most engines of a reasonable power output will do the job, its when you find too high first and reverse gears and struggle to get the thing initially moving is where problems occur, and at stall revs of around 800/1000 which is the sort of revs you want to use initially a 1.4 turbo engine isn't going to have the oomph of a 2.0 litre, yes the turbo engine may have better figures and may pull like a train once you get the turbos spinning in its peak torque band, but its getting it there repeatedly, especially on hill starts or maneuvering, but all of this is just discussion really because you won't know if the vehicle suits your use till you try it heavy.
Not everyone is the same hence why some people buy those 2 litre Mazdas because the engine is fine for them, i like old school Diesels that proved almost impossible to stall, unlike the new generation, each to their own.
This is where most old school 4x4's score, and i mean ones with dual range gearboxes (that includes a number of Subarus too if one of those might interest) that come into their own when you want to site your caravan, or if for example you need to hill start it on a really steep gradient, you could slip the vehicle into low range, pull the van up onto level ground, then stop reselect high and carry on without having even warmed your clutch...remember no vehicle as far as i know can be switched from low to high range without stopping and selecting neutral between shifting.
We had a thread not so long ago from someone who had severe trouble dragging his boat out of the drink with a Kia Sorento 2.2 Diesel, high ratio first gear, seemingly weak clutch and no dual range gearbox was very hard on the vehicle, though in my opinion he was expecting this vehicle to do the work of a Defender/Landcruiser/similar either of which in low range would have pulled the thing out on tickover.
BHP to be honest means very little for towing, its torque you need and as much torque as possible from as few revs as possible, but even then if first gear is too high then you could still struggle.
Things i would definately avoid for this are dual clutch or automated manual gearboxes and not sure i'd trust a CVT box either, if you want auto then old school torque converter is the kiddie for towing.
|
