Weight of electric cars - issue with towing on trailer?

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LittleGreyCat

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Feb 18, 2022
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Suffolk, UK
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86,956
MH
Rapido 9048DF 2016
There is a lot of discussion about taking a car with you on a trailer.
There is also a lot of discussion about electric cars.
Given the weight penalty of an electric car over a petrol/diesel car, does this rule out having one car for home use and towing on a trailer?

Just a thought that occurred to me when idly looking at small cars.
 
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assuming you have the towing capacity on the moho why would it be an issue just or have i not understood the question?
 
Upvote 2
That is a big "assuming".
In general, you can get a much lighter vehicle if it is not electric.
Try searching for (e.g.) the ten lightest cars.
I did a while back and there wasn't a full electric or a hybrid featured.

Edit: see Lightest cars for some background.
Edit 2: see Lightest electric cars for more background
 
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Upvote 0
My petrol twin air Fiat Panda 4x4 cross comes in at 1.165 tonnes 😊 which is close to my GVTW when towing as trailer and car is 1665 kg and 4500 GVW motorhome needs to be kept below 4250 kg to be compliant.
So electric would not be a goer for me.🤔

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Last edited:
Upvote 0
LittleGreyCat said:
That is a big "assuming".
In general, you can get a much lighter vehicle if it is not electric.
Try searching for (e.g.) the ten lightest cars.
I did a while back and there wasn't a full electric or a hybrid featured.

Edit: see Lightest cars for some background.
Edit 2: see Lightest electric cars for more background
Click to expand...
Your list has number 2 the Ami full electric car very light?
Or do you have other ideals not explained?
 
Upvote 0
jongood said:
Perhaps he wants a car not a lunch box on wheels :LOL:
Click to expand...
They might, but it meats the criteria lol.
Having seen one in the flesh I wouldn’t have one and I’ve ran loads of Citroen cars and vans

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Upvote 0
jongood said:
Me too, best I had was an XM, wonderful car but so troublesome
Click to expand...
Never had the Xm but loads of Bx, xantia, c5’s. Wife could still cry after we traded the last one (one of the last with hydrolic suspension) in for a smaller second car so daughter could learn to drive…. For a Nissan pixo !!
 
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Towing limit for our current outfit is 2 tonnes.
Rapido 9048DF.
That obviously includes the weight of the trailer.
That should also include an allowance for all the stuff {crap} that we don't currently carry in the MH but which would be nice perhaps.
Probably not advisable to load right up to the 2 tonne limit as well.
Probably require a remap to give better pulling power.

The car would have to be fully capable - run safely and comfortably at motorway/dual carriageway speeds.
[This rules out the dinky 28 mph max town car.]
Two good seats plus space for bulk shopping in the back.
This probably rules out the "fun" options such as the Caterham.

A sensible option would be able to act as a main car, replacing our 4x4 we bought to tow a large caravan, but there might not be an acceptable compromise between long range comfort (when we aren't taking the MH) and towability (when we are).

The trailer may well weigh 4-500 kg Ifor Williams GVW 2 tonnes.
This would also probably need a motor mover and battery.
A (slightly) lighter option 1300 kg all up would limit you to a car well under 1,000 kg.
Looking at this today, I would probably want a 2 tonne trailer for maximum flexibility and probably a car not over 1.3 tonnes, possibly less.
Once you start considering payloads, a large battery for an electric car does look a major disadvantage.
 
Upvote 0
It’s one of the reasons we chose a Microlino, it’s only 550kgs and with the trailer weighing 230kgs it doesn’t eat too much of out 6t total train weight, just manageable with the remaining 5300kgs for the loaded van but it’s still tight.
 
Upvote 0
LittleGreyCat said:
Towing limit for our current outfit is 2 tonnes.
Rapido 9048DF.
That obviously includes the weight of the trailer.
That should also include an allowance for all the stuff {crap} that we don't currently carry in the MH but which would be nice perhaps.
Probably not advisable to load right up to the 2 tonne limit as well.
Probably require a remap to give better pulling power.

The car would have to be fully capable - run safely and comfortably at motorway/dual carriageway speeds.
[This rules out the dinky 28 mph max town car.]
Two good seats plus space for bulk shopping in the back.
This probably rules out the "fun" options such as the Caterham.

A sensible option would be able to act as a main car, replacing our 4x4 we bought to tow a large caravan, but there might not be an acceptable compromise between long range comfort (when we aren't taking the MH) and towability (when we are).

The trailer may well weigh 4-500 kg Ifor Williams GVW 2 tonnes.
This would also probably need a motor mover and battery.
A (slightly) lighter option 1300 kg all up would limit you to a car well under 1,000 kg.
Looking at this today, I would probably want a 2 tonne trailer for maximum flexibility and probably a car not over 1.3 tonnes, possibly less.
Once you start considering payloads, a large battery for an electric car does look a major disadvantage.
Click to expand...
As quoted by myself earlier a Fiat Panda cross 4x4 is the only small all wheel drive that fits the bill for us and we can carry five people and room in the boot for dog cage😊

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Upvote 0
Try for a Morris Minor. 770 kg, no tax, voluntary MoT, no depreciation, and really cheap insurance. Loads of fun to drive in the summer, not so great in winter but it does have a roof. Same applies to anything pre 1985, cars were so much lighter weight back then.
 
Upvote 0
jongood said:
Me too, best I had was an XM, wonderful car but so troublesome
Click to expand...
My Dad had an XM. Totally agree, great car, but it was way too complicated and unreliable.

Many years later, he had a Picasso for more than 10 years without a single issue. And a C3 for another 6 years, again with no problems. French cars seem to be fine when they keep it simple.

lunarman said:
Dacia spring kerb weight 976kg max
Click to expand...
That would seem like a really good trailered tow car. Light, short and narrow. Pretty cheap. And the battery is so small that charging it on a 240v outlet won't be that much of a chore. Who cares about range when it's a tow car?
 
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Guigsy said:
That would seem like a really good trailered tow car. Light, short and narrow. Pretty cheap. And the battery is so small that charging it on a 240v outlet won't be that much of a chore. Who cares about range when it's a tow car?

Or could it be used as a toad? According to the dacia manual the Spring can be flat towed.


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Screenshot_20250112_140128_Drive.webp
 
Upvote 0
PaddyR said:
Try for a Morris Minor. 770 kg, no tax, voluntary MoT, no depreciation, and really cheap insurance. Loads of fun to drive in the summer, not so great in winter but it does have a roof. Same applies to anything pre 1985, cars were so much lighter weight back then.
Click to expand...
Had a Morris Minor van in the late '70s/early '80s.
An interesting vehicle but there is no way I would drive one on a dual carriageway or a motorway today.
NCAP rating of about -6 IMHO.
 
Upvote 0
We saw a tugger pulling a full size caravan with a Peogeut e2008 over Christmas. He proudly told us it was first one doing this in country (first tow bar on a 2008). It's certainlly possible.
 
Upvote 0
starquake said:
We saw a tugger pulling a full size caravan with a Peogeut e2008 over Christmas. He proudly told us it was first one doing this in country (first tow bar on a 2008). It's certainlly possible.
Click to expand...
But did he mention the range, my son in laws Tesla X went from around 195 miles to around 60 towing a Swift Basecamp.
 
Upvote 0
The Peugeot E208 kerb weight is 1550KG, payload about 400KG.

It easily handles 4 adults and a decent boot and is just like an ICE but faster and more refined to drive.

It would need a hefty trailer and towing capacity though.

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Upvote 0
Googlebot said:
The Peugeot E208 kerb weight is 1550KG, payload about 400KG.

It easily handles 4 adults and a decent boot and is just like an ICE but faster and more refined to drive.

It would need a hefty trailer and towing capacity though.
Click to expand...
This was the bigger one than the 208 (208 is the small one). I can't see any manufacturer spec sheet of what its capacity was, but the (tugger) was very proud about being the first with one.

His caravan was a heavy one too, and he was doing it legally he said -> I enquired as the e-niro models (latest ones) have a tiny tow capacity.

Equally no idea about the range drop, but he was very happy about it.
 
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I'm glad we took the route we did WE did have an Aygo on an A-Frame we got rid of it a year ago as basically it was so uncomfortable I think a Morris Minor would have felt better
The biggest problems have been
Engine - what engine
suspension,
Boot - what boot,
internal headspace none

We now hire a car when we get to somewhere were we sit down for a longer time

AND a nice comfortable car for home
 
Upvote 0
starquake said:
We saw a tugger pulling a full size caravan with a Peogeut e2008 over Christmas. He proudly told us it was first one doing this in country (first tow bar on a 2008). It's certainlly possible.
Click to expand...
Not really relevant to the original question about towing an EV behind MH, rather towing with an EV but, if the tugger was doing this, he probably was the first (and only?), given that, according to the manufacturer, the all electric e2008 can't be used to tow!!

Are Electric Cars Capable of Towing?

If you’re looking to find out more on the towing capabilities of electric cars, we’ve got all the information you need on this plus hybrids and electric vans.
www.peugeot.co.uk www.peugeot.co.uk
 
Upvote 0
BrochMike said:
Not really relevant to the original question about towing an EV behind MH, rather towing with an EV but, if the tugger was doing this, he probably was the first (and only?), given that, according to the manufacturer, the all electric e2008 can't be used to tow!!

Are Electric Cars Capable of Towing?

If you’re looking to find out more on the towing capabilities of electric cars, we’ve got all the information you need on this plus hybrids and electric vans.
www.peugeot.co.uk www.peugeot.co.uk
Click to expand...
EVs are heavily dependent on their aero efficiency. All those funny wheels and grills are to eek out range. Tugging a trailer completely kills the range.
 
Upvote 0
BrochMike said:
Not really relevant to the original question about towing an EV behind MH, rather towing with an EV but, if the tugger was doing this, he probably was the first (and only?), given that, according to the manufacturer, the all electric e2008 can't be used to tow!!

Are Electric Cars Capable of Towing?

If you’re looking to find out more on the towing capabilities of electric cars, we’ve got all the information you need on this plus hybrids and electric vans.
www.peugeot.co.uk www.peugeot.co.uk
Click to expand...
It's probably been rerated (it was brand new).

Like the e-niro generation 1-2 (2019-2022) coudn't tow, but the newer models can.
Not like manufacturers websites are "always" up to date is it.

Equally he didn't seem to be the kind of person to have put a tow bar on a vehicle without a tow rating.
 
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