Mine is a 1600 albeit single carb but I wouldn't expect it to be powerful enough to tow a caravan, it only just about copes with its own weight!
I'd suggest underlying engine or clutch problems, as said it would be slow and thirsty but the weight you say it is is well within spec'
Yeh it's weird. Never had an issue with heat before. I was always worried it ran too cold. After a long run she was always very cool. Don't know what to do now. Don't wanna throw anymore money at it. Fed up with it lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If all is healthy you should have no trouble towing that 600kg is not much more than our loaded Puck and we didn't have a problem even with the rattly 1600 that used to be in the back
Somethings amiss somewhere. Does the caravan have brakes are they stuck on? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Its a nice caravan. But surely these old vans with their low hp engines weren't meant to be towing a caravan. I used to tow a heavy trailer for a firm many years ago hauled by a beefy Land Rover. It was a pain reverse parking it and after a few trips the clutch burned out completely, so had to be recovered. If you are going to tow your caravan, I would have thought you should get the tow bar setup by a professional firm. And expect your clutch to suffer. I can't say I like the idea of a diy tow bar job. I bet it will be fun towing on a windy day. If it were me, I would have the caravan static on a nice site somewhere.
No I don't think so. She's really easy to push along. Even on my own. I suspect it's something not right about the engine / clutch / gearbox. I'll have to go through them but by bit to try and eliminate. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is looking like an expensive business. Surely the easy and cheaper option is to get a tow bar professionally fitted to your car and tow the caravan with that. That's what people do. Your Bay is special, a classic camper van and you really should use it as it is. Your van is already trying to tell you something and it doesn't like the towing. If it were me I would not be risking damaging the engine and cause you more cost and head ache.
Cobblers. First and foremost these old things were delivery vans. They would have thought nothing of carrying a tonne + of stuff back in the day. A 600kg caravan should be no problem.
I can agree with both views. My dad could prob lift 120kg when he was young but in age he would try and likely fail. I love my little van but it is a little small for two adults and two little dogs. I was hoping to compliment it with a little period van. Together they would be lush. I'm toying with the idea of a 2 ltr type 4 engine in the van or flogging it for a t4 or 5. Both are a big change but tbh I don't want to sink any more £££ to get the 1600 working. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Get an awning? We are 2 adults and a big and little dog plus Marmite loads of gear, same as when I had the bay
We were 2 adults and 2 Springers and had no problems they used to sleep under the bed overhang but we do have a swivel front seat We now only have one springer now and getting up is a bit easier but will be getting another
We are two adults and FOUR dogs, one of which weighs 42kg (six and a half stone) and are going up to Scotland for a few days. Just the Pudelwagen, retro awning and small trailer for the luggage. Might be a tight squeeze especially when a bit of rain is forecast!
Rapido folding caravan is only 400ish kg & is massive when up, we love ours!!! I've towed our last one with a 2.0 type 4 & used to forget it was there! I've not tried it with our 1.6 yet, but I'm confident all will be well!!!!
The time has come to sell it. The boss has agreed we can upgrade to T5. Will be a shame as I've put so much time and effort into it but we both agree the caravan is an important part of our holidays. I need something to pull it and still not look out of place at a vw weekend somewhere. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
