Towing with a 1.8.

arnosvale65 · 12th February 2015, 15:47

I have in my sights a very nice 1.8 manual tourer with a tow bar and at the same time a ZT_T auto cdti with tow bar which is, of course, much more money. I know the ZT would pull my caravan with ease (a Fleetwood Colchester two berth so quite small and light) but with the very good price on the 75, which is in very good condition, I would have enough money left to fund many nights away! Question is though, is the 1.8 man enough to tow with?

rich17865 · 12th February 2015, 17:06

What is the weight of the van?

arnosvale65 · 12th February 2015, 17:42

900 - 1100kg max. According to Fleetwood.

rich17865 · 12th February 2015, 17:45

This should help.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=87943

Looks like it is ok up to the maximum weight of the van

arnosvale65 · 12th February 2015, 17:48

Thanks Rich

roverbarmy · 12th February 2015, 19:12

I would go for a diesel as a towing vehicle. I have tried towing with a 1.8 and you have to work them pretty hard. They are man enough for the job but you need to use the lower gears - a lot! You may not notice a problem generally but it's when you are in awkward spots where the 1.8 will struggle. They are geared for economy and not really for towing. Any hill work and the gears are just too high for the torque available. I would never tow a caravan with anything below 2 litres.

arnosvale65 · 12th February 2015, 19:41

Point taken. I think I will stick with my ZT-T choice. The 1.8 is a lovely looking car though. If I had the room I would buy it anyway for everyday use as I don't do much mileage these days and mostly around town.

williamwright_20 · 13th March 2015, 19:33

This site has some Reviews on the 75's towing capability with different caravans: http://www.towcar.info/gebruikservar...Rover&serie=75

From the look at the reviews, the 1.8 seems to handle your weight of caravan well.

arnosvale65 · 17th March 2015, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by williamwright_20

This site has some Reviews on the 75's towing capability with different caravans: http://www.towcar.info/gebruikservar...Rover&serie=75

From the look at the reviews, the 1.8 seems to handle your weight of caravan well.

Thanks but I changed all my minds and bought a facelift 75 CDTi tourer with a detachable towbar.

rrobson · 18th March 2015, 00:04

Towing with a 1.8??? Just imagine a boiling kettle

Seriously though, diesel is definitely the one to go for. I've towed with two diesel autos and currently a 2.5 auto and the diesels were definitely better. All the extra torque of the diesel means it maintains speed better. Even with the v6 it has to drop to 3rd to pull the van up hills and needs working pretty hard.
Not to mention the economy too, expect at least 300 miles to a tank towing even with an auto. Think I'll be lucky to get 200 out of the petrol

12th February 2015, 15:47	#1
arnosvale65 Posted a thing or two 75 facelift CDTi Connie SE Tourer. MGF 1.8 VVC Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bristol Posts: 1,424 Thanks: 176 Thanked 176 Times in 119 Posts	Towing with a 1.8. I have in my sights a very nice 1.8 manual tourer with a tow bar and at the same time a ZT_T auto cdti with tow bar which is, of course, much more money. I know the ZT would pull my caravan with ease (a Fleetwood Colchester two berth so quite small and light) but with the very good price on the 75, which is in very good condition, I would have enough money left to fund many nights away! Question is though, is the 1.8 man enough to tow with? __________________ Onwards and upwards. MGZT-T MK1 front and rear ends fitted, specialist- components in line thermostat mod done, retro fitted cruise control, Mk1 real wood dash fitted, real walnut steering wheel fitted, Pioneer DAB radio fitted.

12th February 2015, 17:42	#3
arnosvale65 Posted a thing or two 75 facelift CDTi Connie SE Tourer. MGF 1.8 VVC Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bristol Posts: 1,424 Thanks: 176 Thanked 176 Times in 119 Posts	900 - 1100kg max. According to Fleetwood. __________________ Onwards and upwards. MGZT-T MK1 front and rear ends fitted, specialist- components in line thermostat mod done, retro fitted cruise control, Mk1 real wood dash fitted, real walnut steering wheel fitted, Pioneer DAB radio fitted.

12th February 2015, 17:45	#4
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	This should help. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=87943 Looks like it is ok up to the maximum weight of the van Last edited by rich17865; 12th February 2015 at 17:48..

12th February 2015, 17:48	#5
arnosvale65 Posted a thing or two 75 facelift CDTi Connie SE Tourer. MGF 1.8 VVC Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bristol Posts: 1,424 Thanks: 176 Thanked 176 Times in 119 Posts	Thanks Rich __________________ Onwards and upwards. MGZT-T MK1 front and rear ends fitted, specialist- components in line thermostat mod done, retro fitted cruise control, Mk1 real wood dash fitted, real walnut steering wheel fitted, Pioneer DAB radio fitted.

12th February 2015, 19:12	#6
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,088 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	I would go for a diesel as a towing vehicle. I have tried towing with a 1.8 and you have to work them pretty hard. They are man enough for the job but you need to use the lower gears - a lot! You may not notice a problem generally but it's when you are in awkward spots where the 1.8 will struggle. They are geared for economy and not really for towing. Any hill work and the gears are just too high for the torque available. I would never tow a caravan with anything below 2 litres. __________________ Oil in my veins!

12th February 2015, 17:06	#2
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	What is the weight of the van?

12th February 2015, 19:41	#7
arnosvale65 Posted a thing or two 75 facelift CDTi Connie SE Tourer. MGF 1.8 VVC Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bristol Posts: 1,424 Thanks: 176 Thanked 176 Times in 119 Posts	Point taken. I think I will stick with my ZT-T choice. The 1.8 is a lovely looking car though. If I had the room I would buy it anyway for everyday use as I don't do much mileage these days and mostly around town. __________________ Onwards and upwards. MGZT-T MK1 front and rear ends fitted, specialist- components in line thermostat mod done, retro fitted cruise control, Mk1 real wood dash fitted, real walnut steering wheel fitted, Pioneer DAB radio fitted.

13th March 2015, 19:33	#8
williamwright_20 Newbie None at the moment Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Southport Posts: 16 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	This site has some Reviews on the 75's towing capability with different caravans: http://www.towcar.info/gebruikservar...Rover&serie=75 From the look at the reviews, the 1.8 seems to handle your weight of caravan well.

18th March 2015, 00:04	#10
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,647 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	Towing with a 1.8??? Just imagine a boiling kettle Seriously though, diesel is definitely the one to go for. I've towed with two diesel autos and currently a 2.5 auto and the diesels were definitely better. All the extra torque of the diesel means it maintains speed better. Even with the v6 it has to drop to 3rd to pull the van up hills and needs working pretty hard. Not to mention the economy too, expect at least 300 miles to a tank towing even with an auto. Think I'll be lucky to get 200 out of the petrol __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available