Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Kiwi on 20 December 2007, 03:11:39

Title: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Kiwi on 20 December 2007, 03:11:39
What Omega would you recommend for towing a 16 foot caravan? I'm wanting power (v6? or would a 2.2 do?) economy, good resale, relaibility and don't want to spend more than 3 grand. Anyone who has done a lot of towing got some words of wisdom? (Yes I do realise power and economy are two words that don't like each other very much). Is there much difference in fuel consumption between say a 2.2 and a 2.5 V6 or a 2.6 V6?
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 December 2007, 06:22:28
Welcome to the forum :y

There are quite a few members on here that tow, I'm sure you'll some good advice shortly.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: mark.adams on 20 December 2007, 08:44:36
According to practical caravan, the omega is the archetypal perfect towcar, they suggested to opt for autobox too if i remember right. :y
You don't say if your caravan is a twin axle or not, if not the 2.2 would be fine, if a twin i would go for something a little bigger.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Kiwi on 20 December 2007, 09:20:53
Hey thanks for that. I'm talking a single axle caravan so if a 2.2 will do the job, that's great. I don't want to buy any bigger than I have to.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: mark.adams on 20 December 2007, 09:27:44
A 2.2 is more than capable of tugging a single axle, perfect car for the job.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 December 2007, 10:01:36
I have towed with 2.0 2.6 and 3.0 autos - you want a V6

The 2.6 can maintain indicated 70 on the motorways happily it will stay in top gear a lot better, whereas the 2.0 would change down to 3rd and when towing is similar in consumption to the 4 cylinders.

Hill climbing - a world of difference.

With a 4 you will be thrashing it.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Entwood on 20 December 2007, 11:29:24
I tow an Abbey GTS ... overall length 7.18m (22ft ??) max permited weight 1600kgs with my 2.5 ... and without doubt it is a magnificent towcar - the self levelling helps as well  :)

Miggys + 'vans = great times  :)


http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1187538758
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: 106rallye on 20 December 2007, 13:05:01
no idea about towing caravans, but my 3.0l has towed a fair few rally cars in its time and has never had any problems. ive driven a 2.0 omega n it could hardly pull itself never mind a caravan lol, remember the car weights nearly 2 tons.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Elite Pete on 20 December 2007, 14:11:55
Quote
What Omega would you recommend for towing a 16 foot caravan? I'm wanting power (v6? or would a 2.2 do?) economy, good resale, relaibility and don't want to spend more than 3 grand. Anyone who has done a lot of towing got some words of wisdom? (Yes I do realise power and economy are two words that don't like each other very much). Is there much difference in fuel consumption between say a 2.2 and a 2.5 V6 or a 2.6 V6?
There's only one impossible thing you've asked for, Omegas are excellent value for money and as such they dont hold thier price to well.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Jay w on 20 December 2007, 15:40:45
Quote
Quote
What Omega would you recommend for towing a 16 foot caravan? I'm wanting power (v6? or would a 2.2 do?) economy, good resale, relaibility and don't want to spend more than 3 grand. Anyone who has done a lot of towing got some words of wisdom? (Yes I do realise power and economy are two words that don't like each other very much). Is there much difference in fuel consumption between say a 2.2 and a 2.5 V6 or a 2.6 V6?
There's only one impossible thing you've asked for, Omegas are excellent value for money and as such they dont hold thier price to well.

the upshot of that is you do get a lot of car for your money though  :y
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: stevief on 20 December 2007, 15:57:40
The 2.2 diesel is fine as well if you can find one at reasonable cost and I guess the 2.5s will be just as good but for the size you are towing the smaller engine is fine.

Steve
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 December 2007, 17:01:37
My caravan is loaded to around 1200kg, the extra power of the V6 helps immensely
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Kiwi on 20 December 2007, 17:08:43
If I'm hearing you right, when towing there isn't much difference in economy between a 2.2 and a V6 2.5 or 2.6, but more grunt and less strain on everything? Granted that resale values are pathetic on all Omegas, is there more demand for the 2.2 or the 2.5 or 2.6?
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 December 2007, 18:11:46
A lot less strain - definately easier with a bigger engine - especially with an auto as the 2.0 tended to sit in third a lot more
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Tony H on 20 December 2007, 18:37:38
I tow a large boat with my 2.5 auto, a very good car to tow with as said you would probably be as well going for a 2.5 or 2.6 if you want a petrol engine, from an economy point of view as I don't think there would be much saving getting a smaller engine. Getting a diesel is also an option.
The auto box is a dream to tow with and some if not all have an adaptive box which detects towing and reduces the amount of unecessary downshifts.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: ELITE-3.0-V6 on 20 December 2007, 18:44:03
I have a 3.0 ltr v6 elite auto and i love it, i had 5 people in it and towed a trailer with a car on it and it sailed along at 70 mph no problems and averaged 27 mpg on the computer..
I love it, it's my first auto aswell and i'm really pleased....
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: MickAP on 20 December 2007, 19:07:36
I tow a 22ft caravan, max weight 1460kgs.......My 2.5TD facelift estate copes with that ok, plenty of power and economy 24-28mpg depending on how you drive of course. I had a lighter caravan before the current one and that's really did tow nicely behind the Omega.
Not even had to uprate the suspension either as the ride and handling seems fine up to now.

(http://snap26.photobox.co.uk/4266743415dd159d5cc32e6b8b529bffeaf69ed8d71d02b7780b4d2d.jpg)

Mick
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Glyn on 20 December 2007, 19:38:48
I have the 2001 2.2 CDX estate towing a Bailey Pageant Bordeax with fixed bed.
Tows perfect, on dual carriageways get to 60 put cruise control on and its effortless..
On small roads its the same, handles lovely. However if you can afford the bigger engine,
then they will be even better.I had to go with budget,as bigger engines =more fuel and insurance.

Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: martin12760460 on 20 December 2007, 20:06:58
i have 2.5cdx facelift 8-)  and a 8mth old abbey 418gts :y love the car  :y love my van  :y not teatherd them yet  ::)
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: MutantCav on 20 December 2007, 21:51:22
The 2.5 v6 is perfect combination of ok mpg and enough grunt to tow just about anything...my personal choice...if you want resale value just buy a prefacelift...you will pay out maybe £600 or so and probably get most of that back if you sell it at about any time....I have a nice S reg saloon elite with tow bar if your interested???
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 December 2007, 22:49:19
I would not want to take a 4 cylinder over the Welsh mountains - it was hard work on the Cornish hills, V6 is easier to drive
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 December 2007, 23:47:40
I've towed my single axle, 5 berth caravan with my 2.2 petrol Omega all over Cornwall and have had no problems at all. Pulls really well up hills and flies along in all conditions.

Can't argue with the fact that a 2.5/2.6 would be a better option but don't be put off of the 2.2, it really is perfectly adequate for towing and will return around 35mpg on a run when solo. Mid 20's MPG when towing.
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: biker on 21 December 2007, 07:40:33
Quote
I tow a 22ft caravan, max weight 1460kgs.......My 2.5TD facelift estate copes with that ok, plenty of power and economy 24-28mpg depending on how you drive of course. I had a lighter caravan before the current one and that's really did tow nicely behind the Omega.
Not even had to uprate the suspension either as the ride and handling seems fine up to now.

(http://snap26.photobox.co.uk/4266743415dd159d5cc32e6b8b529bffeaf69ed8d71d02b7780b4d2d.jpg)

Mick

 :o thought you had nicked my car then lol,  v6 is the way to go when towing and I have had most cars from 2.0 to 3.0, rule of thumb bigger is better.. :y
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: omegaman2 on 21 December 2007, 13:08:42
i tow a bailey 440 with 4 bikes ,4 people full holiday kit with 2,2 dti completely effertless and loads of spare punch if needed :)
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Dave-C on 21 December 2007, 17:52:43
The v6's have ample cooling when towing without fitting an extra cooler on the auto's.....   The gearbox software update actually makes a big difference to the gearchanges too....  the economy when towing a van is about 21mpg on my Meega....  drive it hard, watch it drop.  Have had 26mpg towing on a flat run.... pretty good for a big lump....

DC
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: Andy B on 21 December 2007, 18:28:25
Quote
 .....  the economy when towing a van is about 21mpg on my Meega....  drive it hard, watch it drop.  Have had 26mpg towing on a flat run.... pretty good for a big lump....

DC

I only get 21 around town! There's a photo around of when I towed down to Devon. 16.6 mpg :'(
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: tunnie on 21 December 2007, 19:49:06
Quote
I've towed my single axle, 5 berth caravan with my 2.2 petrol Omega all over Cornwall and have had no problems at all. Pulls really well up hills and flies along in all conditions.

Can't argue with the fact that a 2.5/2.6 would be a better option but don't be put off of the 2.2, it really is perfectly adequate for towing and will return around 35mpg on a run when solo. Mid 20's MPG when towing.

2.2 has quite a bit more torque and low down grunt than the 2.0 which helps
Title: Re: An Omega Suitable For Towing?? Suggestions??
Post by: MutantCav on 21 December 2007, 22:00:11
Just towed my Citroen Xsara with an aframe using a P reg 2.5 v6, it did the job admirably and returned an average of 28mpg over the 120 mile journey, not bad for a 170k engine, although it had been regularly serviced including only 3k ago...