IF YOU FIND that the car you’ve bought isn’t suitable to tow your caravan, don’t despair. Here are some things you can do to put things right. The more pound symbols shown, the pricier the remedy:

 

Free

Drive around the problem

If you didn’t get the best engine or gearbox version, it is often just the case that you’ll make more sedate progress. It need not be a major issue.

 

Free

Reload

If your caravan is over the towball weight limit, reloading it (without overloading the rear) can make the difference.

 

£

Uprated springs[tl:gallery size=240×160]

If the car suspension sags with the van on the back, you can uprate the rear suspension. MAD Springs (right) are popular among caravanners and are available through Witter towbar distributors.

 

££

Get the car remapped

Many modern diesels respond well to a remapping of the engine ECU. This can be tailored to your needs, so if you want more torque or better economy or even both, it can often be accommodated. Companies such as Tunit (tel 0845 838 1405, www.tunit.co.uk) get very good results.

 

£££

Change your caravan

Swapping to a lighter caravan could be the answer if your van is over the car’s tow limit.

 

£££

Change the car

Generally, the most expensive option is to change your car, which is why it is vital to get it right in the first place.