Hi,

I've not checked the owner's manual regarding towing weights yet but I just wondered from a practical point of view whether a SEAT Altea 1.6 petrol would be considered good enough to tow a Locost on a trailer to an SVA test and back (25 miles each way on motorway mostly)? I expect my Locost is around 850Kg's and I have no idea what a trailer would weight (250Kg's maybe?) I would be keeping my speed down to 50MPH or so anyway.

I don't have a tow bar yet but would fit one if it would be suitable for towing my Locost to SVA. Alternatively my Dad has offered to tow me in his Renault Laguna 1.8 petrol but again I don't know if this is suitable.

Advice greatly appreciated!
Craig.

850kgs sounds a hell of a lot for a 7!! Most are usually well under 650kgs.

Edit - Didn;t see the V8 bit although still sounds quite a lot

[Edited on 24/2/09 by eznfrank]

800ish sounds sensible for a V8 CEC to me.

hi, i have a 2000 "W" reg ford focus 3dr 2.0l Zetec which has covered hard 93k now. I was in the same situation as you, did a bit of googling but there wasnt much. So i just went for it, paid £110 for a swan neck towbar from towsure and fitted it myself. my thinking was that worst case ive only spent ~£100.
Anyway, i've towed my car over 300miles in the last 2weeks and the focus has been great. I think the focus is smaller & lighter than your car so you should be fine. what power/torque do seat suggest your engine produces?
PS if you want a cheap, light trailer look in the for sale section

Id go for it. I think David jenkins on here towed his to sva with a 1.3 toyota yaris.

Seat Altea XL 1.6 Dimensions and Capacities
Length4476 mm - 14'8"
Width1768 mm - 5'10" - exc. mirrors
Height1581 mm - 5'2"
Wheel Base2578 mm - 8'5"
Split/Fold Rear SeatBoot Capacity532 litres (min)1604 litres (max)
Gross Weight1979 kg
Kerb Weight1359 kg
Towing Limit (braked)1200 kg

just watch the trailer nose weight, I destroyed a towing cars rear shocks with a v6 Capri on the trailer, only found out they'd been damaged when I was on the motorway several weeks later and the back end tried to collapse

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry for the delay in responding but I didn't get any emails to tell me of your responses. Must have forgotten to click the notify box...

Car BHP is 103 but that certainly beats a 1.3 Yaris!!

Will watch noseweight as suggested. Should be okay as it is a 4 wheel trailer.

Thanks again
Craig.