Currently in Suffolk/ Norfolk border for the w/e
Towed the BC up, got 23.4 mpg! Usually it's 18.5 to 20.
Before I left I pumped the tyres up to max, 44 psi rears
Usually at 40 for towing
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>> Currently in Suffolk/ Norfolk border for the w/e
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>> Towed the BC up, got 23.4 mpg! Usually it's 18.5 to 20.
We find mileage towing the van varies a lot. Usually mid to upper twenties but can be near 40. Factor, I'm sure, is headwind v following wind.
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>> We find mileage towing the van varies a lot. Usually mid to upper twenties but
>> can be near 40. Factor, I'm sure, is headwind v following wind.
>>
It can certainly have a significant effect.
Going North in the motorhome last week with what was largely a tailwind I averaged just over 39mpg. It's the best I've seen on a trip, and rather surprising for a 3.5t brick.
The average was down to 34,7mpg after the return trip without the same wind assistance.
Over the last 3500 miles it's averaged 33.4 mpg in all conditions.
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No difference felt in how it handled?
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>> No difference felt in how it handled?
Not really no. The beemer is a bit weird when towing, it knows it is, cos it tells me so I'm a warning, but setting off it's all nervous, traction control coming on, stability dabbing a rear disk side to side, but then after about 8 miles it goes"oh this is easy:peasy" think it goes into some kind of learning mode
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Stop being such a wuss! Switch the DSC off.
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>> Stop being such a wuss! Switch the DSC off.
Cruise control switches DSC on, its a co-req. (and no there is no PTF)
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>> No difference felt in how it handled?
Our caravan is pretty stable on the Berlingo even in high winds - crosswind over Thelwall for example. The only time I'm aware of it trying to jump around is passing LGVs if I'm doing more than 55/60.
Obvs 60 is the limit towing in the UK but in France as the gross combined, i.e. plated, weight of the outfit is under 3.5 tonnes the Autoroute limit 130/110, same as everybody else. I've gone as far as 110 at which point my nerve gave out due to the wiggle around LGVs. The fuel consumption also falls off a cliff at high speed.
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Funny you should mention France…I’m just sat considering several route options prior to visiting friends who live just south of Foix. It’s been a few years since I’ve driven through France… normally to get to a ski resort, not in September as I’m planning.
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I recall my folks towing our Lynton Arrow caravan with our family 1979 Opel Ascona 2.0S, which I think produced around 85hp. One return journey home with a strong headwind, it wouldn’t pull in 4th (top) gear, so the motorway / dual carriageway leg of the journey was completed foot to the floor in 3rd gear, which resulted in 16 mpg! At least fuel was relatively cheap ‘back in the day’!
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es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Opel_Ascona_400_a.JPG
This would have towed it better ?
Racking my brains to remember where I last saw one in action on a rally stage.
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>This would have towed it better ?
With a hair-trigger clutch and a powerband that doesn't start until 6000rpm?
>Racking my brains to remember where I last saw one in action on a rally stage.
Caravan Club Welsh National?
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22.1 on the return, same route. to complete the picture, so wind not a major influencer. 44psi on the rears seems absurdly high but ride is not overly compromised, so I may well stick with it
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The 'lingo has a massive difference between rear psi for normal running and if heavily laden.
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Revelation time - Bromptonaut
