Revelation time: Motoring Motoring Discussion forum

Motoring Discussion > Revelation time	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Zero	Replies: 13

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Fri 19 Apr 24 16:31

Revelation time - Zero

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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Fri 19 Apr 24 16:37

Revelation time - Bromptonaut

>> Currently in Suffolk/ Norfolk border for the w/e
>>
>> 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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Fri 19 Apr 24 21:05

Revelation time - tyrednemotional

>> 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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Fri 19 Apr 24 18:12

Revelation time - Kevin

No difference felt in how it handled?

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Fri 19 Apr 24 18:56

Revelation time - Zero

>> 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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Fri 19 Apr 24 20:31

Revelation time - Kevin

Stop being such a wuss! Switch the DSC off.

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Mon 22 Apr 24 16:15

Revelation time - Zero

>> 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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Sat 20 Apr 24 08:48

Revelation time - Bromptonaut

>> 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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Sat 20 Apr 24 19:30

Revelation time - legacylad

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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Sat 20 Apr 24 20:39

Revelation time - Mr Moo

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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Sat 20 Apr 24 21:39

Revelation time - legacylad

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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Sat 20 Apr 24 22:05

Revelation time - Kevin

>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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Mon 22 Apr 24 16:18

Revelation time - Zero

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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Mon 22 Apr 24 16:20

Revelation time - Bromptonaut

The 'lingo has a massive difference between rear psi for normal running and if heavily laden.

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