Anyone tow a heavy caravan?

[cooliospoolio]

Am desperate to replace my 12 year old Audi A6 and am looking at Octavia's but going by the figures I'm assuming I would need to get a 4x4 version. Am a bit hesitant as I don't really want all the extra 4x4 stuff when not towing.

The caravan's max weight is 1369kg, does anyone tow something this heavy with a 2wd Octavia and if so, how does it go?

Cheers.

[cheezemonkhai]

the 4x4 isn't permanent, but is operating in 2wd mode most of the time.

A search on here `haldex`should hopefully turn up some more info.

[Octygone]

The 2.0 tdi 140 would tow that with ease ...loads of torque ...the estate is just a litle bit heavier ....or try a Superb I have towed a one ton van with both a mk1 octy (1.9sdi and 130pd tdi) both really stable and the 130 tdi had power to spare........the petrol versions including the vrs have the power but not in the right place on the rev range for easy towing. the Superb is the best car I have ever towed with rock solid with enough weight to hold it down and the length to stop any swaying...and capable of silly speeds with a van on the back (found out by mistake ) ....never had any problem with any of them on wet grass on site (parking up or leaving even on a slope) the pd 130 engine will do about 30 mpg towing and around 50 mpg solo ......they have made towing easy and you don't hold people up they are that good.

any questions fire away and I will do my best to answer

Rob

[mdk1]

Hi, Currently tow a Bailey Discovery 1150kg fully loaded with my 2.0tdi and have no trouble at all. we are about to get a new Bailey Pagent at appx.1400kg which i think we will have no trouble towing. We can maintain a steady 60mph no matter how hilly the roads. On avg. I get 35mpg towing on a long motorway journey.
The max tow weight for the Oct'y is 1400kg , so your 'van is fine.
Any questions please ask,
cheers,

[Arg]

I tow a 1360kg caravan with a vRS petrol estate and apart from the 18mpg, it's fine.

[dstev2000]

A former colleague of mine used to tow a 1350kg caravan with his 2.0TDI elegance estate. He had no problems and it used to tow nicely in 6th gear on the motorways.

[mdk1]

Originally Posted by Arg

apart from the 18mpg,

ouch

[Arg]

Originally Posted by mdk1

ouch

Nah, it's not that bad. It's a company car and my company will either pay me 13p per business mile or I get a petrol card and pay 10p per private mile. I took the option of pay 10p per mile, so with petrol at approx £4-20 per gallon at the moment, I m getting 42mpg, cost wise even if I pull the caravan.