Smallest car for towing

philipcosson · 08 Nov 2008, 08:36

Its time for a change in cars. I'm wondering what the smallest car anyone has had success towing a N12 with. I remember seeing a Mini in 2006 but not sure of the engine size.
I don't want this to happen - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

Phil

Kevin · 08 Nov 2008, 03:36

We have towed a N12 behind a 1.1 Punto. Fine once it is up to speed but don't expect to win too many drag races away from standing starts.

Kevin

Alex D · 08 Nov 2008, 05:02

This link may be useful...

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/towingwithvehiclesfrequently4577

tonyelgar · 08 Nov 2008, 05:55

I just recently changed my rover 25 for a ford fiesta, not the new style but the one before. 1.25 duratec petrol and tows a 12 or a laser 2000 really well for a little car!

Tony

johnk · 08 Nov 2008, 07:38

Ford Anglia 105e (Harry Potter style) van towed a Nat 12 with no problem - except going up a steep icy hill when the tail heavy trailer tried to lift the rear driving wheels of the ground.

Jerry G · 08 Nov 2008, 08:38

Most small cars should be OK to pull a N12. The trailer weight is unlikely to be above the legal towing limit stated in the handbook. In ancient times I have towed a N12 or similar sized dinghy behind an A35 van and a Triumph Herald with no problem so modern vehicles should easily cope. The only time I produced smoke like shown at the start of the link was towing with a Volvo 244 with leaky seals on the automatic gearbox!

simon moss · 08 Nov 2008, 09:25

I used to tow my tiger all over the place on a very heavy trailer and all camping gear with a Citeron 2CV that's 0.62l, so I guess there isn't a modern car out there that won't pull it with ease. Yor only talking about the weight of two adults in the back!!
Simon.

David_Wilkins · 08 Nov 2008, 10:52

I used to pull mine all over the place with my 998cc Minivan and the boats were much heavier then!

Cheers

mike gilson · 09 Nov 2008, 12:03

I have a c2 1.4hdi and even towing a lark i was getting 60 miles to the gallon. I find it is ok for size if there is a max of two of you in the car with the back seats down, because the boot is so small. I towed "BILLY THE HOOVER" back from Chichester last month and that was fine.

philipcosson · 09 Nov 2008, 03:15

I'm looking at the audi a2, either petrol or diesel - towbar a bit steep at £600 fitted mind!

David_Wilkins · 09 Nov 2008, 04:03

Hmm - that sort of money would have bought my Mini van! It sounds very much like an Audi dealership price. Towbars can normally be had much cheaper by going to an independant specialist.
You should have no trouble pulling the 12 - especially not if you go for the diesel.
Cheers

icecreamman · 10 Nov 2008, 12:05

Like Simon I once owned a 2CV and easily towed a 12. Nobody was going to win drag races towing a 12 with a 600cc engine. I even managed to be stopped by a copper as I was going down a hill with the wind behind me doing 70. The friendly policeman did wonder how the heck I had managed to get the car to go that fast. I was then asked if the boat was mine, "No officer, I have borrowed it from my Dad" was the reply. "Is the trailer yours, or is it your father's" was the nest question. "No I have had to borrow it from a friend." Wearily he then asked if the car was mine no doubt expecting another no, "Yes" I replied, "but in case you are going to ask, I have not got my documents with me....sir."
Oh the perils of being a student

Tim Gatti · 10 Nov 2008, 12:43

On the subject of small cars, I'm sure Rod Andrew (N3109) wouldn't mind me reprinting here his very funny memories of an old Morris 8 he used to own:
In 1966, whilst hop picking in kent, we bought a 1937 Morris 8 for the princely sum of £10. During the (2-day!) journey back to Liverpool we took it to a garage offering instant MOT; I remember they called us in with the car up on a lift and started ramming a large screwdriver through the chassis. We told them to stop damaging our car and the guy told us to 'go away, drive slowly, and don't go over any bumps'.
Back in L'pool we did somehow get an MOT, and painted the car primary red, opening parts like doors bonnet & boot primary blue, and bumpers & wheels bright yellow. It looked like Noddy's car. I recall we wrote a large pink 'Well?' on the inside of the bonnet. The then head of the Liverpool School of Fine Arts was tremendously impressed, and tried to persuade us to enter it in John Moore's modern art exhibition/competition, where given the general looniness of the time & place we might well have won,- but we were hooked on motor transport and felt we couldn't do without it.
There are lots of excellent,- and all true,- stories about this car, but the one I like best was one Nov. evening, when with girlfriends 7 of us were aboard on the way to a party. We were stopped by the police who,- astonishingly,- couldn't find anything wrong with the car, but finally leaned in the window and said, 'don't you think you're a bit overloaded?' Our driver, Andrew Garner, now a leading authority on corrosion in the paper industry, managed to keep a straight face when he said simply, 'It's a Morris 8!'. The wonderful thing about being a student in those days is that one got away with such things.
For some reason later on we had no side windows, but we did have 4 pith helmets of the kind worn by explorers, wore these and drove to the University every day singing Ken Dodd hits at full volume. On one occasion, we think due to our unique variable geometry chassis twisting, we skidded on ice at the end of Princess Avenue, performed a full 360° in the morning traffic whilst rendering a dramatic version of 'Tears for Souvenirs', and were ever so proud of the fact that we didn't miss a note.

icecreamman · 10 Nov 2008, 12:58

Still on the subject of amusing stories and small cars, I remember Howard (he of the many clapped out Minis fame) Steavenson with one of his Minis at Ryton. Way back in the day when people used to sail at Ryton when Tynemouth used the bungalow, surprise surprise it snowed one Winter Open Meeting. Howard set off towards the level crossing (unmanned and ungated) and then on towards the steep hill towing his, or more probably one of Robin's boats. He managed it out of the club and then things began to go wrong. Someone suggested that some burly blokes sat on the bonnet and drive up the hill that way. No chance, try reverse someone said, still no go. It ended up with someone towing Howard's boat up the hill and him driving backwards with three people sitting on the bonnet to get out.
Students eh?

Martin · 10 Nov 2008, 01:36

Some years ago good friend of mine took his International Canoe to Holland (I recall) for a European Campionship via ferry. To save money on the Ferry he opted to roof rack the boat rather than trail it and it sat on top of a very weary 20 year old Triumph Herald! The mast overhang was rather interesting too!!
In days gone by I regularly towed boats in my Talbot Sunbeam 1.0 litre which had a Hillman Imp engine and it was fine. I am sure the modern crop of small cars will do just fine!