Star cars with real pulling power

2:07pm Monday 12th November 2007

The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year competition, considered by many as the best towcar competition in the country, recently took place for the 2008 season at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

I was thrilled to be invited along as a driving judge this year, along with five others from the motoring and caravanning press.

A total of 36 new cars were entered, representing 20 brands.

Upon arrival these were carefully scrutinised by the Caravan Club's technical team. Bailey of Bristol provided all the caravans for the towing, each loaded to 85 per cent of the car's kerb weight.

The caravans' noseweight was kept at the lowest weight from either the car's recommended limit, seven per cent of the caravan's running weight, or the maximum stipulated weight of the coupling hitch. All stability aids like stabiliser hitches are removed from the caravans.

On the high speed circuit, none of the caravans misbehaved at speeds of up to 80mph, but crucial to that is to correctly match your caravan to your car and load it correctly.

I did the second lap of the circuit at 60mph, checking for cruising performance in top gear.

I then tried to shake the caravan and induce a snake' to check for stability. Then I did an emergency stop from 50mph.

From there it was time to go to the hills and handling circuit, about three miles of differently graded hills, to check for handling, both up and downhill, and pulling power.

Stopping on the 17 per cent hill to try out the handbrake and gears on hill starts separates the performers from the non-performers.

A further five judges would put the outfit through the same tests and score independently.

Meanwhile, back at base, a team of judges would test the cars' caravanability', from its load-swallowing ability, to ease of access to the sockets for the towing electrics.

Winners are scored in five price categories, two all wheel drive categories, with an overall victor. Honours for the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2008 go to:

Under £16,000
Skoda Roomster Scout 1.9TDI
One of my favourites, with terrific handling and stability.

£16,000 to £20,000
Ford Mondeo Zetec
Everyone was thrilled that such a popular car excelled even with a caravan in tow.

£20,000 to £25,000 and All Wheel Drive under 1800kg
Skoda Octavia Scout TDI
Two separate awards for a superb little motor that handled all the tests, including the 17 per cent hill start, with aplomb.

£25,000 to £32,000 and overall Towcar of the Year
Ford Mondeo Titanium X
Top honours go to one of only two petrol engined cars out of the 36 cars entered - this estate car is quite simply stunning.

Over £32,000
Land Rover Freelander 2
The favourite towcar, not just for many caravanners, but anyone who tows large trailers such as horse boxes or boats.

Over 1800kg All Wheel Drive
Kia Sorento 2.5CRDi XS
Never a year seems to go by recently without the keenly-priced and well-performing Sorento picking up an award.

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