Advice - would a Commer tow a Caravan?

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3DKaren

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I'm looking for a towing van/camper to match a classic caravan I'm hoping to get. A commer would do the trick on looks, but I'm concerned about the engine strength etc. Would it flake out pulling 1300kg extra? If so is there the remotest chance of an completely different souped up engine being installed instead or should I give up now?

(This combo would be for a mobile gallery -we would like to show film out the back of the Commer as well)
 
karen, way back in the 60s I towed a 4 berth 12ft caravan with a PA with the 1500 engine!It got there, but it was awfully slow. I also regularly towed a one ton trailer with a Commer 1500cc coachbuilt van. All-up weight of that lot must have been around three tons!It only once failed, when I got baulked on a 1 in 4, and it had to be towed off. Crazy, but seemed OK at the time. I wouldn't want to do it now though.
 
Hi Karen,

Welcome to the forum:) - gallery sounds good[8)]. Mine gets used as a mobile studio (or will be again once I get it fixed:I)

Not tried towing with commers myself, so can't really help you on that one - they aren't quick but seem fairly sturdy, the last commer I had was the beefier 2500 series which was designed more for commercial use. It was pretty low geared(also only had 1500cc engine) and reckon would have been fairly good at pulling - just very slowly
this is shot of one of Martin Maltas' fleet so it is possible to tow....
IMG_4506.jpg


there are bigger engine options to choose from, and am guessing a brake servo would also be a must - but again can't be much help as not an area I've done a lot in[V]

Hope it proves possible as love your ideas and would be great to see them in action:)

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
Hello! Welcome to the house of fun!
Commers have been known to tow stuff Ruiairdh Dunford tows his Austin 7s with his highwayman pretty happily (I wouldn't want to think about the fuel consumption though!)

I've just got myself a trailer too, so I'm optimistic about the towing capabilities. There are a few options as far as soup goes, have a search on the forum for Dozer's van, he fitted a Ford V6, it has now been sold on and has recently come back from a trip round europe. Its converted to LPG too.

Good luck and keep us up to date with your plans! Got any piccies of the Caravan - what films are you going to be showing. The Commer/Caravan combo sounds ace!

Rupert

www.littleyellowcar.co.uk
 
ker-ching!! :)the penny has just dropped, we have been thinking about a roof rack when all the time we have a small trailer sitting right in the garden. i am sure our van would be able to manage it and hopefully would not affect consumption too much!

a friend of ours who had been seriously wanting a commer after falling in love with ours has just bought a 1960's caravan after deciding that really 3 children, husband and dog were too many for a commer. can't wait to see it, think they will look great side by side at a camp site!
 
OOh I like the sound of running on LPG - thought it might be a fantasy too far though.

I do 3D photography - kitschy/arty stuff for installing in the caravan and Paul does hypnotic arty short stuff for watching in the camper. Ideal locations - festivals, beaches, rallies etc.

Does anyone know someone who does engine swaps for Commers? Wont have time to swot up on engines.

Will dig out pic shortly.
 
I have been running a Commer with an LPG convertion for the last seven months :D She tends to run better on LPG than petrol she will sit quite happily at 56 on motorways (Copes with hills even the big one on the m62 mo problem) and has the extra power to overtake when you need it. I was thinking of upgrading the engine but after driving her every day I am impressed with the standard 1725 lump and will stick with it.
http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2022&SearchTerms=lpg
 
A few people have gained useful power increases from simple mods to the standard engine, better exhaust (RC40) and a K&N filter to start off with - even better change the carb to an SU with one of Commeracers modified manifolds. There are plenty of extra horses that can be released from the standard engine (as long as it is in good health to begin with) and a lot cheaper than a new engine :I

'Harvey the RV'
 
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