CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

[ELZE]

Hi

it has been asked a zillion times before ( sorry) I know as I have asked it before But after searching all the threads I and I am more confused than ever

The Bongo V6 tin top is 2140kg on the log book, the caravan I am currently looking at is 1234kg Can I tow this safely with the van? How do I check nose weight?

I was going for a motorhome, saved up a few bob, had to semi-retire (personal reasons) with only enough for a decent caravan

Sorry to be a pest but as I said too much information is not a good thing sometimes

Many thanks

[Tertiary]

Hi

Recommended towing weight is 80% of kerb weight of the towing vehicle - basically so the tail doesn't start wagging the dog!

From memory, nose weight should be 80kgs for the Bongo but I'm sure it says in the handbook.. A proper nose weight gauge is always useful to have, certainly until you get used to loading the caravan. I always used to work on the theory that if I could just pick up the nose when loaded then it was close...

Bob has posted with excellent information and links a few times - have another search and see if you can find it. If not, perhaps pm him maybe?

I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will be along soon and shoot me down in flames!

[Bob]

Yep, pretty much right, you can tow it.

As said you can buy a proper nose weight guage or you can put a stick in the hitch and put it on bathroom scales (pop a bit of wood under it).

Ideally nose weight should be 5/7% of the actual weight of the 'van but must not exceed the quoted weights for either, 85 kg for Bongy and as shown in the handbook for caravan.

Do have search of my posts or I'll look tomorrow.

Edit: The 85% guideline means a Bongo can tow up to 1600 kgs, our caravan max is that.

Oh, and don't worry about asking anything, the gang are here to help.

[Bob]

https://caravanchronicles.com/guides/un ... of-towing/

[cmm303]

This might be Bob's post with all the answers!
http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... ht#p674012

Found it by putting into the search keywords box
(caravan OR towing) AND weight
then into the author box
bob

[Bob]

Thanks Chris.

[roosmith]

We have found the Bongo to be very sensitive to nose weight when towing our caravan. 75kg seems to be perfect, 5 kg either side of this and you can really tell. At 80kg our Bongo really doesn't like it and complains!

[ELZE]

Guys

I know the info was out there and I had read plenty but the more I red the more confusing it got as there are many differing opinions.

@Bob & the gang

Thanks for the info & links that's great stuff. The van for sale will not last long so I wanted to know quickly before I put an offer in. I will go for it. Now I have to get a towbar fitted post gas conversion Rang the gas conversion co, and they said no problem they can do it so if it blows up its down the then I say!

Thx again guys!

[Getcarter]

Just make sure you get the heavy duty tow bar not the light weight one.

[ELZE]

Just make sure you get the heavy duty tow bar not the light weight one.

Good call thanks, would not have thought of that!

Off to see this van Wednesday if the price is right ?

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDUzNg== ... 0/$_86.JPG

[Gasy]

Mines heavier than that and I've done 70+ no probs
Pulls better at 60 than 50 mph

As for nose weight that can be adjusted by where abouts you put the beer crates ( weight ) in the caravan
Pick the front end of the caravan up if it's a struggle move stuff inside to the back of caravan and try again
You want the front end of the caravan to be a little bit of a struggle to lift
I've had mine rear end heavy so I can pick it up with a couple of fingers ( drove ok bit bouncy but ok )

I'm sure I've had my caravan that loaded it's been close to 2 ton
With the bongo at 2 ton and a caravan over 1 1/2 ton
That gets your total weight to over 3.5 tons
Which is naughty
I think
Bongo still pulls it tho

I pulled my mates big twin axel caravan with his Volvo estate still hitched up out of the mud at glastonbury and across the field no problems didnt even spin the wheels until he put his handbrake on as I was slowing then I started to spin me wheels as he was shouting out window
Ok stop now
That was a long length behind me looking in wing mirror with his Volvo estate and his 7.2m caravan on a 3m tow strap behind me

[Gasy]

And as said make sure you have the heavy duty A1 towbar
I bent and split one of the other ones with my caravan on back

[ELZE]

Cheers Gasy

First off I have an A1 tow bar fitted with full electrics. I did not buy the other caravan as when I got there I asked him to show me how everything works buy pretending we had just arrived on site...going through the motions. He was speechless and knew F all about the van which was not cris registered in his name. he said everything works but could not show us how so we are still looking

There was something else I wanted to ask, as an automatic will I require an oil cooler fitted or will it cope ok? How will it perform as an auto in general pulling a van?

thx

[Bob]

Transmission oil cooler is recommended, see other current post.

I fitted a Kenlow on a Sunday morning, no probs, cheaper ones available.

Auto box should be fine for towing, with a manual the clutch is a weak link.

[Gasy]

I've just fitted an auto cooler rad to mine
Been on about it in my other posts today and I've done air bags in rear springs
Did the auto box cooler because I'd seen alcetricity ( something like that ) a auto box eco alist me,ber on here recomend it
And it was nog long in the back of my little brain
So £60 from China with braded stainless hoses with boys racer blue and red fitting
And 1 hr later job done
Easy
While I had bumper off did new spot light aswell
And moved number plate over
Moving number plate dropped the normal running temp off head by 2c
I've done glasto and Devon with new cooling auto box rad not noticed any difference
But at least I won't kick my own as* if I'd blown auto box and seen alce recomend it
I think it looks even cooler now nd look how much more air can get in with number plate moved