Choosing your towcar is one of the most important things if you enjoy touring with a caravan. You’ll need the vehicle to ensure you can drive safely and do everything you need to, including hitching up and overtaking. But, how do you decide? We want to have a look at the most important details here. Then, if you want to book a plot at one of the most impressive caravan parks in Yorkshire, you can have a look at Parklands.

Weights

The most important thing to look at is the weight of the towcar. It will have an impact on the caravans you can tow. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommend you always ensure the total weight of a loaded caravan is less than the total weight of the vehicle. They suggest aiming for 85% or as high as 90% if drivers have experience towing a caravan.

It can be a little confusing here because some vehicle manufacturers will claim their vehicles can tow more than the kerbweight. However, while it may not be illegal to do so, it can compromise vehicle performance and safety. The best thing to do is calculate the full laden weight of a caravan and then choose a slightly heavier towcar.

Power

The next thing to look at is the engine power and torque the towcar will offer. Both are vital to ensure you don’t have issues with performance. Most people will have had an issue following behind a car towing a caravan. In many cases it is because the power to weight ratio is wrong, compromising acceleration and top speed. It can easily result in drivers unable to overtake when they are towing a caravan.

What you need to do is think about the fully laden weight of the vehicle and the caravan. You can then factor in the power. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommend aiming for 40bhp/tonne. Think about the torque here too; high torque at lower driving speeds is great. Talk to us about caravan parks in Yorkshire.

What type of engine?

One of the best things about buying cars at the moment is there is so much choice in terms of engines. You can go for classic petrol or diesel, hybrids of both, and full EVs. However, it does make it trickier to decide what to choose for a towcar.

Traditionally, diesel cars had an advantage over petrol in towing terms. This goes back to the torque; generally you get more at the lower end. Hybrids are notable because the electric motors increase torque and fuel economy, while reducing emissions. EVs are an option, but you need to think carefully about the impact on range and charging.

Gearbox

Finally, think about the gearbox. Most newer vehicles will be automatic. In fact, stats last year said just 24% of popular new models are available as a manual. Luckily, automatics can offer benefits when towing caravans. There can be less wear and tear and fantastic low speed control to make hitching easier. Manuals are still useful though, especially when driving in conditions where you want to hold at lower gears for braking.

Book a plot at one of the most comfortable caravan parks in Yorkshire

At Parklands we have the perfect plots for tourers. This includes full electric hookup and plenty of space for various needs, including additional cars and awnings. We also have really great facilities, including a cafe and shower block. If you’re passionate about fishing, you’ll love our fishery. The two lakes are full of carp, bream, roach, and more.

We’re one of the most popular caravan parks in Yorkshire because we give visitors a warm welcome, great value for money, and a lovely setting. So, have a browse today or contact us.