If my missus sat on the bonnet I wouldn't get off the drive
Towing with a BMW Z4
- Thread starter GazHyde
- Start date
I was just going to reply to Rich that a second axel would solve the problem.My dear departed father-in-law used to tow a twin axle 20ft caravan behind his Rolls Royce.
Tony.
In this case I'm a Jeremy Clarkson's fan: not acceptable such a caravan on a Zed's tail!
Painful for the clutch and dangerous for the safety of the ride!
poor Zed........
Painful for the clutch and dangerous for the safety of the ride!
poor Zed........
Mario Rossi
Dedicated Member
Is your wife ever likely to see that post Frankie?
You already suspect what the answer is to that. Frankie
And a Z3......
BMW Z4 2.0i
Make Model Year Kerbweight (Kg) 85% (Kg) Towing Capacity (Kg) Towing Capacity (Lbs) Caravans Within Capacity
BMW Z4 2.0i Roadster 2006 1325 1126.25 2004 4417 Show Caravans
BMW Z4 2.0i Roadster 2008 1295 1100.75 2000 4409 Show Caravans
Make Model Year Kerbweight (Kg) 85% (Kg) Towing Capacity (Kg) Towing Capacity (Lbs) Caravans Within Capacity
BMW Z4 2.0i Roadster 2006 1325 1126.25 2004 4417 Show Caravans
BMW Z4 2.0i Roadster 2008 1295 1100.75 2000 4409 Show Caravans
Would this be a problem for the bigger engine zeds? I know the weights are close but surely more than enough grunt!
I towed a 2 ton jag with my zed once you could hardly notice it was towing anything.
I ask this becuase my old man was looking for a toebar mod for his zed.
Lee
I towed a 2 ton jag with my zed once you could hardly notice it was towing anything.
I ask this becuase my old man was looking for a toebar mod for his zed.
Lee
It's not so much about the power, but the weight ratios - although power is exceptionally useful too. The Caravan Club don't advise towing a van above 85% of the weight of the tow car, as the heavier the trailer the harder it is to control if things get loose back there.
You can of course go above that recommendation up to the towing limit of the car if you so wish. I've only ever towed at about 90% of the towcar weight, but it was completely stable because the car and caravan was loaded correctly. You do see some horrendously scary combinations on the road, particularly when it comes to twin axle caravans.
As with all these things it's fine until something goes wrong, and if you've ever seen a caravan snaking on the motorway you will see why you need a heavier tow car (and a bit of ability!). Lots of power can get you out of this situation sometimes though...
We use our Civic 2.2 to tow our van max towing weight is 1500kg thats around 1250kk for weight of caravan and 250kg for things carried in it, i.e. water,Gas,Beer, all the essentials... Our Vans weight is 1103kg 23 foot long Max permisable weight is around 1,400kg (this refers to the Van not the car) and the civic is capable of towing this with ease. And it helps if you have a HGV Class 1 Licence with over 30 years experience
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I always found it funny that I could drive a car/van combination which was two thirds the length of an articulated lorry with no training at all.
Granted that's changed now for new drivers who have to pass a separate test before towing anything.
Grandfather Rights. Still in Operation.. I think everyone towing another vehicle should have to take a towing test, I have watched and shuddered at some people attempting to tow and reverse a van OMG.
It's the same problem with old people that have driven for 60 years in small cars buying their dream home on wheels, a 45' motor home. Suddenly they're the guy that drives them to bingo at the seniors home in the 45' bus. Scarey!! And the kids let them do it!! JIM
A man used to work for my in laws commercial garage years ago, he had a class 2 HGV licence and so couldn't drive an "articulated" class 1 lorry, however he could go out with an 8 wheel heavy recovery lorry and with that suspend tow a laden 42' articulated class 1 HGV. I really couldn't get my head round that one. Likewise an 8 or 10 wheel mobile crane that you can drive on a car licence.
Tony.
Tony.
Well, the clue is there Tony, he was not driving the class 1 HGV........
Agreed mate but as a whole he was driving a vehicle twice the weight and length which was double articulated.
Tony.
Tony.
I agree T-, where's the sense in that even though he wasn't driving a class 1 HGV. I've got to be careful my provincial gov't doesn't screen this site. I'm getting to the age where they want to start retesting seniors. Don't need them getting any more ammunition. But, you have to see those 80 yr olds maneuvering 45-48 ft motor homes in the Rockies. I've actually had to drive one into a camp spot for an old guy because he would have killed half the trees for about a 100' area trying to back in. JIM
One to pull and one to push.................great idea. Sort of a human centipede but for vehicles.And a Z3......
