What sort of caravan I am able to tow)

Joker · Veteran Member

What sort of caravan I am able to tow)

drtooheys · Senior Member

I've seen these at caravan shows, sure are light.

https://www.euro-caravans.com.au/

yobarr · Guru

Joker wrote:
Hi to everyone and hopefully someone be able to help me please! I am finally retired and can join the "Old Fart Brigade".. Ops sorry how silly of me of course I mean the Grey Normads! I am a poor pensioner after been married a couple of times (I know.. I know.. Slow learner.. Lol) so only be able to get a small second hand caravan but what can I actually tow.. I try to Google for days but somehow can't get my head around what max of kg without getting in trouble... So what do I drive here are my details Mitsubishi ASX 2018 Diesel 4x4 Automatic... More details Engine Size: 2268cc Power: 110KW @ 3500rpm Torque: 360Nm @ 1500-2750rpm Tare Mass: 1498kg Gross Vehicle Mass: 2010kg Gross Compensation Mass: 3410kg Towing Capacity (braked): 1400 kg Tank: 60l Diesel I found out it has same Engine Sizes and Torque as the Outlander diesel All these info like ATM (Aggravate Trailer Mass), Tare, Ball Weigh xxxkg does my head in.. Lol.. I really have tried to make sense of it even after a bottle of red but no chance. So Pleaseeeeee is anyone be able in short term plain English to tell me what sort of caravan I would be able to tow without the weight of an elephant! Cheers Stefan also called the Joker

Hi Stefan....Without getting too involved,you have two problems. 1) The rear axle on your car is rated at only 1000kg 2) Maximum towball weight,as far as I can determine,is only 70kg,which means that,with the generally accepted 10% towball weight,the biggest van you can SAFELY tow would have ATM (Aggregate Trailed Mass....not Aggravate) of 700kg.

Long story short,your van should weigh no more than 700kg (ATM) so you are somewhat limited? No doubt others will contribute,but this will set the ball rolling.Happy to PM if you need detailed help.Cheers

P.S Please note,there is absolutely NO chance of getting to 3410kg GCM (Gross combination mass) unless the trailer/van is a DOG trailer with zero ball weight.

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 04:40:50 PM

Knight · Senior Member

Hello Joker, I had a look at one of these small vans in WA, an older couple towing it with a small Mercedes sedan. Have a look at the gallery of pictures too.

www.littleguyaustralia.com.au

And the camper trailer option, I have also looked at one and was impressed, towed behind a Honda motorcycle.

https://eliteproducts.com.au

-- Edited by Knight on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 03:51:38 PM

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi Joker

It looks to me as though we have some sort of cross lines
Looking for the specifications of your vehicle (Mitsubishi ASX 2018 Diesel 4x4 Automatic)

I came across the following website
https://www.carsguide.com.au/mitsubishi/asx/price/2018/xls----4wd--

Which show that the maximum braked caravan you can tow, should be under 1,050 kilograms, when it is fully loaded

Below is a snip from the above website

Not knowing your budget, or location, but others have given good advice
Hope that the info is useful to you

TOWING WEIGHT.png

yobarr · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:
Hi Joker
It looks to me as though we have some sort of cross lines
Looking for the specifications of your vehicle (Mitsubishi ASX 2018 Diesel 4x4 Automatic)
I came across the following website
https://www.carsguide.com.au/mitsubishi/asx/price/2018/xls----4wd--Which show that the maximum braked caravan you can tow, should be under 1,050 kilograms, when it is fully loadedBelow is a snip from the above websiteNot knowing your budget, or location, but others have given good adviceHope that the info is useful to you

Seems to be some confusion here because the 2018 ASX has a tow rating of 1400kg as a Diesel,and 1300kg as a (Petrol) 2wd. Not interested in arguing about it,but these figures came from two different sources,and are the same as those submitted by the OP? Seems that Stefans biggest problem is the maximum towball weight of 70kg,but I will do a bit of research to confirm that figure,or perhaps uncover another? Cheers.

P.S Just had a look at Mitsubishi site where it says that 5% ball weight is OK on the ASX,thus explaining the 70kg max ball weight.(5% of 1400kg).But you would have to be a few cents short of a dollar to even consider towing with 5% ball weight.

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 05:08:18 PM

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 05:24:19 PM

Eaglemax · Guru

Hi joker

While the others crunch the numbers have you considered trading in your car and purchasing a campervan say Hyundai iload diesel or small Mercedes?

Olive Oil · Senior Member

Welcome to the old farts club, enjoy the aroma.

Whenarewethere · Guru

As best as I can tell the petrol can tow 1300kg & the diesel is only 1050kg! Simply adding a towbar eats into your payload by 19kg & that's behind the rear axle so multiply that by 1.4, so 26.6kg extra load on the rear axle. & the other issues others have mentioned. You will also be adding things & consumables, it is staggering how quickly your payload vanishes.

I did a spreadsheet & weighed every last item I pack. Not including food or clothes there was 24kg of items under 1kg. 50kg of items under 2kg. A 1kg fire extinguisher weighs 1.85kg. A lightweight Thermarest mattress 0.8kg as a starting point.

Kebbin · Guru

There seems to be a lot of confusion re the ball weight, the OP has already stated 140kg, Redbook confirms this. The Mitsubishi site only shows the 4x2 at 130kg.

Joker · Veteran Member

Thank you so far for all your info... I really appreciate everyone's help so far.

Would I be able to tow one of this:

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne-park/caravans/2004-avondale-argente-european-quality-shower-toilet-van/1221889276

-- Edited by Joker on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 09:26:13 PM

-- Edited by Joker on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 09:29:07 PM

-- Edited by Joker on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 09:31:56 PM

yobarr · Guru

Kebbin wrote:
There seems to be a lot of confusion re the ball weight, the OP has already stated 140kg, Redbook confirms this. The Mitsubishi site only shows the 4x2 at 130kg.

My eyesight may not be what it was,but I cannot see find where the OP stated the ball weight is 140kg? Both sites I researched show max ball weight as 70kg. Cheers

blaze · Guru

Joker wrote:
Thank you so far for all your info... I really appreciate everyone's help so far.

Would I be able to tow one of this:

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne-park/caravans/2004-avondale-argente-european-quality-shower-toilet-van/1221889276

from what I am reading its yes

cheers

blaze

yobarr · Guru

Joker wrote:
Thank you so far for all your info... I really appreciate everyone's help so far.

Would I be able to tow one of this:

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne-park/caravans/2004-avondale-argente-european-quality-shower-toilet-van/1221889276

No...ball weight of that van is 100kg.Others seem to be finding max ball weight as 140kg but I can find only 70kg.Mitsibushi seem to be covering themselves claiming 1400kg tow capacity by saying 5% ball weight is OK.(5% of 1400 is 70) There is no way known you would tow with 5% ball weight.Tomorrow I will try to find time to PM you.(Private message,accessed by clicking on your user name when you are logged in) Cheers

Joker · Veteran Member

To stop all this confusion I have exactly this same model

www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Mitsubishi-ASX-2018/OAG-AD-16495562/

And it says on the above model :

Maximum Towball Download 140

PS.. Sorry no idea what it means!

Mamil · Senior Member

yobarr wrote:
Joker wrote:
Thank you so far for all your info... I really appreciate everyone's help so far.

Would I be able to tow one of this:

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne-park/caravans/2004-avondale-argente-european-quality-shower-toilet-van/1221889276

No...ball weight of that van is 100kg.Others seem to be finding max ball weight as 140kg but I can find only 70kg.Mitsibushi seem to be covering themselves claiming 1400kg tow capacity by saying 5% ball weight is OK.(5% of 1400 is 70) There is no way known you would tow with 5% ball weight.Tomorrow I will try to find time to PM you.(Private message,accessed by clicking on your user name when you are logged in) Cheers

Yobarr, why are you so adamant that you can't tow a van with only 5% of the weight on the towball? You know the 10% rule of thumb is just that, and is based on Australian made vans. Euro vans are designed to have much lower towball ratios as they tow with much smaller cars over there. Mine for example is a Euro van and the van manufacturer and Alko specify a max towball weight of 100kg for a van ATM of 1600kg, which is a ratio of 6.25%. It is plated and fully compliant with Australian standards at this ratio.

Tony Bev · Guru

Ar Ha, said the blind man
I can see where the crossed lines are
Searching for your vehicle using your description
Mitsubishi ASX 2018 Diesel 4x4 Automatic

My website shows a, 2018 Mitsubishi ASX LS XC Auto, while your website shows a 2018 Mitsubishi ASX XLS (4WD)

If you are happy that you can tow 1,400 Kg then yes as others have already said you should be able to tow the caravan you have picked out

The following website, shows the specs of the caravan you have picked out

https://www.caravantalk.co.uk/caravan-specifications/avondale/argente-390-2-2004_2617

Because it is second hand, I would be asking the dealer for a weighbridge ticket, just in case the previous owner had added some extra weight somewhere

Snip from the above website

Knight · Senior Member

Joker wrote:
To stop all this confusion I have exactly this same model

www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Mitsubishi-ASX-2018/OAG-AD-16495562/

And it says on the above model :

Maximum Towball Download 140

PS.. Sorry no idea what it means!

The maximum weight permitted to be carried on the towball 140kg, meaning the weight of the caravan at the coupling point that sits locked on the towball.

Olive Oil · Senior Member

We sometimes leave our rig at home & do a fly/drive trip.
We hired an ASX in Darwin & did Kakadu/ Katherine for 3 weeks.
Nice little SUV but we wouldn't like to tow any kind of caravan with one. We've seen people towing the smallest model of Avan "ant hill" camper with an ASX.

montie · Guru

My information is 1400kg BTC,
GVM...2010kg
GCM...3460kg
Ball Rating 140kg.

Source Aus Towing Mass Guide.

Eaglemax · Guru

Re: towball weights

We towed this 11ft x 6ft homemade caravan around Australia. With homemade caravans one of the difficult things to do is build it with any accuracy of future towball weight. Axle positioning, internal items and weights on the drawbar etc are all rough guessing. With small lightweight caravans you have less weight to move around.

In the end we towed this 748kg ATM caravan around Oz with 50kg towball weight with the battery on the front of the A frame. Before we headed off I was concerned so added a friction anti sway unit from eaz. I have to say that even long road trains had so little effect on the sway that I had to really watch to notice any- less than 25mm. Ideally if the axle was 200mm further back but again- that's hindsight.

So in answer to Mamil, I tend to agree that small caravans like European ones do not come under the same concern as heavy caravans in terms of the 10% guide.

Just my view on my experience of 19,000 kms trip. Not saying you shouldn't do 10% if convenient and car can take it, not criticizing anyone and I'm even being nice to my rabbits... biggrin

Tony

Eaglemax · Guru

Olive Oil wrote:
We sometimes leave our rig at home & do a fly/drive trip.
We hired an ASX in Darwin & did Kakadu/ Katherine for 3 weeks.
Nice little SUV but we wouldn't like to tow any kind of caravan with one. We've seen people towing the smallest model of Avan "ant hill" camper with an ASX.

I'd like to know the reason OO. For example my kitcar weighs 1240kg, is rear wheel drive and tows this caravan 998kg ATM (850kg fully loaded when we tow) 85kg towball weight and is very stable. An all wheel drive ASX shouldn't be an issue. The European vans are like towing a garden trailer of firewood.

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 27th of June 2019 05:00:07 PM

MarkAC · Veteran Member

you will only be able to tow a very small/light van

Olive Oil · Senior Member

Eaglemax wrote:
Olive Oil wrote:
We sometimes leave our rig at home & do a fly/drive trip.
We hired an ASX in Darwin & did Kakadu/ Katherine for 3 weeks.
Nice little SUV but we wouldn't like to tow any kind of caravan with one. We've seen people towing the smallest model of Avan "ant hill" camper with an ASX.
I'd like to know the reason OO. For example my kitcar weighs 1240kg, is rear wheel drive and tows this caravan 998kg ATM (850kg fully loaded when we tow) 85kg towball weight and is very stable. An all wheel drive ASX shouldn't be an issue. The European vans are like towing a garden trailer of firewood.
Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 27th of June 2019 05:00:07 PM

What I have stated is my opinion.

Forums are for expressing opinions.

Have you driven an ASX, I have?

Eaglemax · Guru

Olive Oil wrote:
Eaglemax wrote:
Olive Oil wrote:
We sometimes leave our rig at home & do a fly/drive trip.
We hired an ASX in Darwin & did Kakadu/ Katherine for 3 weeks.
Nice little SUV but we wouldn't like to tow any kind of caravan with one. We've seen people towing the smallest model of Avan "ant hill" camper with an ASX.
I'd like to know the reason OO. For example my kitcar weighs 1240kg, is rear wheel drive and tows this caravan 998kg ATM (850kg fully loaded when we tow) 85kg towball weight and is very stable. An all wheel drive ASX shouldn't be an issue. The European vans are like towing a garden trailer of firewood.
Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 27th of June 2019 05:00:07 PM
What I have stated is my opinion.
Forums are for expressing opinions.
Have you driven an ASX, I have?

I'm happy you have an opinion as I do OO. But you take offence when someone asks you how you came to that conclusion.

For the life of me I dont know what crime I committed.

No reply of yours gives a reason. I dont have to drive one to ask you why you have no confidrnce in one for towing a van.

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 27th of June 2019 07:40:39 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Thursday 27th of June 2019 07:45:26 PM

yobarr · Guru

Eaglemax wrote
I'm happy you have an opinion as I do OO. But you take offence when someone asks you how you came to that conclusion.
For the life of me I dont know what crime I committed.
No reply of yours gives a reason. I dont have to drive one to ask you why you have no confidence in one for towing a van.

Perhaps your question was considered too difficult to answer??? Cheers (I do,of course,jest)

Eaglemax · Guru

Joker wrote:
Hi to everyone and hopefully someone be able to help me please! I am finally retired and can join the "Old Fart Brigade".. Ops sorry how silly of me of course I mean the Grey Normads! I am a poor pensioner after been married a couple of times (I know.. I know.. Slow learner.. Lol) so only be able to get a small second hand caravan but what can I actually tow.. I try to Google for days but somehow can't get my head around what max of kg without getting in trouble...
So what do I drive here are my details Mitsubishi ASX 2018 Diesel 4x4 Automatic... More details
Engine Size: 2268ccP
ower: 110KW @ 3500rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1500-2750rpm
Tare Mass: 1498kg
Gross Vehicle Mass: 2010kg
Gross Compensation Mass: 3410kg
Towing Capacity (braked): 1400 kg
Tank: 60l Diesel
I found out it has same Engine Sizes and Torque as the Outlander diesel
All these info like ATM (Aggravate Trailer Mass), Tare, Ball Weigh xxxkg does my head in.. Lol.. I really have tried to make sense of it even after a bottle of red but no chance. So Pleaseeeeee is anyone be able in short term plain English to tell me what sort of caravan I would be able to tow without the weight of an elephant (only joking)
Cheers Stefan also called the Joker

-- Edited by Joker on Wednesday 26th of June 2019 08:39:36 PM

Hi Joker

Well it seems Olive oil is not replying so I'll fill you in on what I do know because no one here has TOWED with an ASX.

Compare your car with this- my hyundai i30 crdi diesel turbo towed caravan 750kg ATM (loaded) around Australia very comfortably with power left over.

Torque 255nm yours 350nm

Power 85kw yours 110kw

Mine: front wheel drive

Yours: all wheel drive

Engine size: hyundai 1600 ASX 2268cc

If you complete your calculations and you are legal to tow a caravan with an ATM (say 1100kg)and towball down weight if X Amount then do so.

Driving a certain car around the country is not any indication of its ability to tow a light caravan. Enjoy your dreams

Tony.

Joker · Veteran Member

Hi everyone and I really appreciate all your inputs as I am totally new in all this configuration staff (Didn't want to start an argument here). As I said in my first post I am a bit short of funds through unfortunately circumstances so I need to get what I can afford and I sort of get the message that I need to look for a light way second hand European caravan which would do me fine as long I can get my arse on the road and enjoy you guys for a beer soon.

PS. I will be visiting like every year the "Christmas in July" celebrating in Mareeba. Please let me know when you up there so we can have a chat.. I owe everyone a drink!

Eaglemax · Guru

Joker wrote:
Hi everyone and I really appreciate all your inputs as I am totally new in all this configuration staff (Didn't want to start an argument here). As I said in my first post I am a bit short of funds through unfortunately circumstances so I need to get what I can afford and I sort of get the message that I need to look for a light way second hand European caravan which would do me fine as long I can get my arse on the road and enjoy you guys for a beer soon.

PS. I will be visiting like every year the "Christmas in July" celebrating in Mareeba. Please let me know when you up there so we can have a chat.. I owe everyone a drink!

There are caravans around suitable just have to keep looking

https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/ensuite-van-for-22000!-55686/