Is 130 BHP enough?

Jolak

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Elddis Majestic 175
Having agreed the purchase of an Elddis Majestic 175 2 berth, which I should collect next week, I've obviously been spending too much time considering my purchase. The last four cars I've had, have been 150 BHP to 200 BHP and I've found that power range suitable for my needs as a 72 year old who doesn't hang about, even when towing a caravan. I'm just wondering what it's going to be like with a 130 BHP Peugeot Boxer weighing 3500 kg. Will I find it very sluggish or will it be adequate? It's got a towbar but I won't be towing a little car or even a motor bike. I notice that a lot of more recent similar size motorhomes are 150 + BHP. Will it cruise comfortably at 60 + mph or will the slightest gradient or headwind slow it down? I know I'll have to suck it and see, but is it common practice to get a Specialist to re-jig the engine management to give a bit more power without drastically increasing the fuel consumption? I did have a diesel Rav4 which was 150 BHP and I bought a German produced gizmo recommended in the Owner's Forum which increased it to close to 200 BHP without any noticeable increase in mpg and also made it a better tow car. Please tell me I'm going to be happy with the performance.
 
It will be fine on the flat and hills you can take a run at but it won't win any prizes on hills. You'll have to drop gears . But at 3.5t it will be better than a heavier van.

I had a 3.9t hymer that wasn't too bad on hills , the current van is terrible on hills at 4.5t . Both had the 130bhp 2.8jtd engine
 
Ours isn130bhp (Ford puma engine in Peugeot boxer) and 3.3t plenty of power. Never slows down on the motorway with the exception of the pyrenees. I think it's mapped for torque 👍
 
It’s very easy to get more power with a remap. Torque is what you need not BHP. Suggest you do some research for the company you use for a remap so you get a rolling road proven map.
 
Having agreed the purchase of an Elddis Majestic 175 2 berth, which I should collect next week, I've obviously been spending too much time considering my purchase. The last four cars I've had, have been 150 BHP to 200 BHP and I've found that power range suitable for my needs as a 72 year old who doesn't hang about, even when towing a caravan. I'm just wondering what it's going to be like with a 130 BHP Peugeot Boxer weighing 3500 kg. Will I find it very sluggish or will it be adequate? It's got a towbar but I won't be towing a little car or even a motor bike. I notice that a lot of more recent similar size motorhomes are 150 + BHP. Will it cruise comfortably at 60 + mph or will the slightest gradient or headwind slow it down? I know I'll have to suck it and see, but is it common practice to get a Specialist to re-jig the engine management to give a bit more power without drastically increasing the fuel consumption? I did have a diesel Rav4 which was 150 BHP and I bought a German produced gizmo recommended in the Owner's Forum which increased it to close to 200 BHP without any noticeable increase in mpg and also made it a better tow car. Please tell me I'm going to be happy with the performance.
My 2009 Peugeot Boxer based Motorhome plated at 4250Kg has a 127 bhp engine. It cruises easily at 60+ but I need to drop down a gear on hills as mentioned before. If that’s a problem a remap would sort it.

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If you like the van and the layout Jolak the rest is easily fixed, just try it first because you maybe surprised. Huge amount of 130 horse vans on the road and at 3.5t you won’t win any hill climbs and you might have to drop a cog on the steeper inclines, but then so does a 500hp car. As others have said a remap will sort the torques and the horses if you absolutely have to.
If you go that route I’m with Carpmart it’s the torques that you need and a rolling road because it’s what you have at the tyres that matters. A bit more expensive but worth it.
Happy travels in your new van and welcome to MHF 👋
 
I run on the limit 3.5t all the time, some times a bit more. I can't recall a time in the uk when I have had to drop down a gear because of a gradient on a motorway, other traffic slowing my progress on a gradient is another story.
I have adopted a more relaxed style of driving since retiring and generally not in any rush. The 130bph Euro 6 doesn't need any remapping imho it's a perfectly capable well balanced set up. If I have any criticism, and the only limiting factor to me is the suspension which does tend to roll so corners of any speed need to be treated with respect. (y)
 
I have the same engine and the only modification I have mate is fitting a K&N air filter as I do to some of my vehicles,seems to breathe better.I do however drop a cog or two on the steepest of hills if I can.
 
Having agreed the purchase of an Elddis Majestic 175 2 berth, which I should collect next week, I've obviously been spending too much time considering my purchase. The last four cars I've had, have been 150 BHP to 200 BHP and I've found that power range suitable for my needs as a 72 year old who doesn't hang about, even when towing a caravan. I'm just wondering what it's going to be like with a 130 BHP Peugeot Boxer weighing 3500 kg. Will I find it very sluggish or will it be adequate? It's got a towbar but I won't be towing a little car or even a motor bike. I notice that a lot of more recent similar size motorhomes are 150 + BHP. Will it cruise comfortably at 60 + mph or will the slightest gradient or headwind slow it down? I know I'll have to suck it and see, but is it common practice to get a Specialist to re-jig the engine management to give a bit more power without drastically increasing the fuel consumption? I did have a diesel Rav4 which was 150 BHP and I bought a German produced gizmo recommended in the Owner's Forum which increased it to close to 200 BHP without any noticeable increase in mpg and also made it a better tow car. Please tell me I'm going to be happy with the performance.
We have 130 BHP it’s fine, some times on a steep incline I drop a gear but this is a chilled out MoHo we are not rushing anywhere it easily cruises at 60–70 mph fuel consumption ranges between 32 and 37 mpg.

I’m not looking to increase the power output but a nice set of hydrolic levellers would be nice 👍

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We have a 130bhp Ducato based MH plated at 4100kg. It is fine for everything we do. Need to use the gears a bit on the hills. It tootles along fine. Other cars are 250bhp and 390bhp all three do 70mph no bother, but we prefer a maximum of 55mph-60mph in the MH.
Safe and happy travels.
 
I have the same engine and the only modification I have mate is fitting a K&N air filter as I do to some of my vehicles,seems to breathe better.I do however drop a cog or two on the steepest of hills if I can.
Yup I think if I lived where you do I would go down the K&N route but as I change my oil and filter every 12 months I use after market.
 
It's over 7m with a 130 it is going to be underpowered, I had a 130 in a 6.8m it was just about OK, last two vans have had the 150 even they are underpowered on mountain roads. I would look for one with the 180 engine it will be far nicer to drive.

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Like I have said before, we managed for years with motorhomes with 65bhp. The current engines are fine. Not really much difference between 150 and 130 anyway.
 
It's over 7m with a 130 it is going to be underpowered, I had a 130 in a 6.8m it was just about OK, last two vans have had the 150 even they are underpowered on mountain roads. I would look for one with the 180 engine it will be far nicer to drive.
Come on Lenny. Of course the more power you have the better. But underpowered is bot really the right description is it?

It will be hard to find a 180 one I would have thought.
 
Come on Lenny. Of course the more power you have the better. But underpowered is bot really the right description is it?

It will be hard to find a 180 one I would have thought.
But the 130 struggles in the mountains and its a 7.2m van he is looking at will probably be OK in a 6.5m van. The 150 is not brilliant, not much fun when the engine practically dies on a 1 in 6 hairpin. Been there done that quite a few times.
 
Choose your routes carefully and avoid steep twisty roads if at all possible, as you'll find it difficult to generate enough momentum to get up them quickly and will have to drop down gears.
 
But the 130 struggles in the mountains and its a 7.2m van he is looking at will probably be OK in a 6.5m van. The 150 is not brilliant, not much fun when the engine practically dies on a 1 in 6 hairpin. Been there done that quite a few times.
I would be more worried coming down on that hairpin maybe time to upgrade the brakes as well ;)

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I recently changed my van from a 5 ton Burstner on a Ducato chassis with the Iveco 3.0 TD 160hp engine went like the clappers with no drag on hills whatsoever, when I changed I test drove a couple of pvc vans all 3.5 ton and all on the Fiat Ducato chassis with the latest euro VI 2.3 engines 1 was the 2.3 130hp which I found underpowered, next was the 2.3 150hp which was a bit better but i then settled for the one I have now, again on Ducato chassis with the 2.3 180hp engine very nippy with no hill drag at all and although I don't hammer on much when I'm away on holidays for me its definitely the best option when buying a new van
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I would be more worried coming down on that hairpin maybe time to upgrade the brakes as well ;)
Brakes are fine on the Maxi chassis, no so good on the light chassis with the 130, the 150 & 180 have upgraded brakes. Another reason not to have the 130.
 
My old Symbol is only 90 bhp but takes us all over Europe with no bother,,,Have to change down on steep hills but that's not a problem..we are never in a rush..BUSBY.
 
My old Symbol is only 90 bhp but takes us all over Europe with no bother,,,Have to change down on steep hills but that's not a problem..we are never in a rush..BUSBY.
But your van is not a 7.2m CB.
 
Having read the original post, I think he will be disappointed with it. Terms such as "I don't hang about even when towing" leads me to that conclusion.

Geoff
I'm hoping to be a bit more chilled out with the motorhome. One of the reasons I gave up caravanning is that I find it a drudge, particularly in the UK. In fact, living in Nottingham, I travel on the bus when I can. Also with the caravan, once you get there, there's all the setting up to do, so I'd got to the stage where I won't be sad to see it go.

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It's over 7m with a 130 it is going to be underpowered, I had a 130 in a 6.8m it was just about OK, last two vans have had the 150 even they are underpowered on mountain roads. I would look for one with the 180 engine it will be far nicer to drive.
Surly the weight is the limiting factor I believe you are over 4t so yes 150bhp. 180 is always preferable but it comes at a cost. ;)
 
We paid an extra grand for the 150bhp, because we intended to pull a flatbed trailer & small car. We have a 7.15m semi-integrated/coachbuilt, and we run close to 3500kg.

Not sure we needed the more expensive engine.
I've seen many comments elsewhere that although the engines aren't physically the same, (something to do with the size & operation of the turbo, I think), you can make a 130bhp Ducato engine perform to an equivalent standard by remapping.

All I can say is that our 150bhp has never faltered, overheated or wimped out going over the Alps, towing a trailer and car. And fully loaded and towing, is relatively easy to hit the 130kmh limit on the occasion that I have asked it to (normal cruising speed is about 95kmh). I am considering a remap just to get better fuel economy.
 
140 bhp here on. 7.5 metre 4250kg carrying 2 bikes and a motorbike amongst other stuff. If really never found it lacking in power. Occasionally had to drop down a year on long motor inclines in Europe (not UK).

Took it up to. 2500 metres in the Dolomites and Mt Etna in October just gone. No issues. Traction on front wheel drive is more of an issue than power.

Will accelerate to 80 reasonably quickly, not that I drive like that generally. I find motorhome driving makes me relax and drive very sedately, unlike when I'm in my RS Mégane!

So I cannot see 130 being lacking.
 
I'm hoping to be a bit more chilled out with the motorhome. One of the reasons I gave up caravanning is that I find it a drudge, particularly in the UK. In fact, living in Nottingham, I travel on the bus when I can. Also with the caravan, once you get there, there's all the setting up to do, so I'd got to the stage where I won't be sad to see it go.
I'm sure you will then find it adequate for your needs then and a hell of a lot less stressful than tugging.(y)

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