Hi,

I am shortly to purchase a caravan.  I already have a tow car (Shogun Sport 2.5Tdi) which will do the job, although I would really like to tow with my XF 3.0l Diesel Premium Luxury.  I have searched the maximum tow loads and have found at least a couple of confusing specifications.  On one site called UKtow.com it stated my car (but a year 2009 (mine is a 2011)), as towing weight of 1678kg.  On another site towingcapacity.co.uk it gave unbraked max as 750kg and braked max as 1850kg.  Does anyone have anything that can give me positive guides here please?

Also, while I am close to choosing the caravan, has anyone had a towbar fitted to an XF?  I wouldn't mind a pointer to where I should go.  I do have someone who could fit one at my workshop although I won't let them loose on the wiring and as I would require split charging this might be challenging with the XF's electrics?

Regards

Graham

Hi Graham,

I towed our caravan for 20 years with various cars, and although we retired from caravanning 7 years ago I still look at kerb weights and towing capacity.  I have found on a Jaguar site that the 3.0 litre XF S will tow a weight of 2000 kg and has a kerb weight of 1750 kg

I don't know how to fit the towbar, but I guess there will be someone who does.

Regards,

Peter.

Thank you Peter. I am still confused and even more so due to looking wider at various caravans. How lovely some of them are.

Regards

Graham

Hi Graham,

We started caravanning on a whim.   It had been raining and SWMBO suggested that we get out for a drive when the sun came out, and we visited a caravan showroom, and when we got home we realised we had bought a caravan, a Bessacarr.  Over 20 years we had three caravans, the Bessies and a White Arches Special edition of a Swift.  Each one got better.  

Thoroughly enjoyable time, but the Boss thought that when I was 78 it was getting too much for me!

Regards,

Peter.

If I were in your place I would definitely use the Shogun for the towing. There is a lot more to it than maximum permitted towing weight.

A major factor is the rear overhang of the towing vehicle: The tow bar should be as close as possible to the rear axle to ensure stability, and this is a feature that you tend to find with off road vehicles.

I towed caravans for over 30 years, covering most of Europe, and often visiting the Alps. Only once did I get into a "snake", where the caravan starts to sway uncontrollably. That was with a Jeep Cherokee, which had quite a long overhang and was lighter than my usual Range Rovers. I immediately replaced the Cherokee with a Nissan Patrol, which towed so well that I often forgot that I was towing!

Cheers everyone, I havn't rushed out and bought a caravan yet.  I had seen a couple that I really liked but in the end, I decided the XF isn't really a tow vehicle so have stopped looking at least for the time being!

Thanks for letting us know Graham: I think that you have made the right decision, though there will be many who think me too cautious on this one!

Hi Graham, 

I tooted for 20 years, mostly with my Rover Sterling [2.5 V6 Petrol] one it pulled OK.  But I did come very close to changing it for a Discovery.  The XF has all the attributes needed for towing, as does the S Type Diesel, but SWMBO points out that it is a shame that a Jaguar Saloon becomes a workhorse, when there are workhorses around.

Regards,

Peter.

So, after resisting a desire to purchase a lovely caravan here I am still pondering.  I deliberately missed out on a lovely Bessacarr 625GL even after my low offer was accepted! Something wasn't right and I think it's all down to my (towing) car!  I might bite the bullet and grab an end of season caravan bargain (I'm not buying new) as some people will no doubt want to sell having had their holidays and in some cases, to prevent having to pay storage for the caravan!  Yes, now is a good time to buy.

I would still like to know what my car is actually allowed to tow though, so have attached a picture of the sticker which shows (I think) the towing weight allowed for my vehicle.  The sticker is located inside of the nearside door forward post.  Can anybody translate the confusing list of weights with an explanation of what each represents please?

Regards

Graham

I can’t help with the list, save that it will show maximum weights for braked and unbraked units, but do bear in mind that you will need to stay well within the limits with the LOADED caravan, so the unladen weight is only the starting point for the calculation.

Having had a chat with MOH, who for some years had a four-wheeled car trailer which carried various vintage/veteran/modern classics, always pulled by a Range Rover 3.9 V8 Vogue, we concur entirely with Leo........there is a lot more to it than towing weight and the overhang aspect is crucial.    MOH never once had a tail-snake; he once was offered loan of an Opel Senator to pull the loaded trailer (Spridget on board) whilst the RR was in dock and politely declined.......he considered the set up an accident waiting to happen.

Looks like you have been very wise, Graham.......too much to lose and it is never pleasant running round the motorway picking up your toothbrush and evening snacks!

16 hours ago, Leo said:

I can’t help with the list, save that it will show maximum weights for braked and unbraked units, but do bear in mind that you will need to stay well within the limits with the LOADED caravan, so the unladen weight is only the starting point for the calculation.

While a car might well have an engine which will tow a trailer /caravan with a kerb weight of 2000 kg,  a car can only tow something with 85% of the kerb weight of the car. And as David has correctly said that weight is with a laden caravan.  I used to check out the weight of the battery, the gas bottles, and all other items like food, and utensils.  I used to put quite a lot of items in the car when I was going to keep the weight of the caravan down.

I had two Bessies and the only reason I didn't get a third was that they were getting too heavy.  I would certainly not tow a Bessie 625 with anything less than a Range Rover or a Land Rover Discovery.

Regards,

Peter.