Choosing the fuel to help tow your caravan or motor home
- Date: 2007-09-13 - Word Count: 798
Share This!
When choosing which type of engine you should choose for towing your touring caravan or trailer or when buying a motor home there are a number of factors that you need to take into account. Your choice of a vehicle will depend upon the use to which it is put. Someone requiring a vehicle for day to day use together with use at weekends and holidays with camping gear in the back may only be interested in performance or fuel efficiency � or the best compromise of the two.
Someone considering towing a touring caravan will not only be looking for economy and performance but also for other factors like brake horsepower and torque. At present there are two main fuels � petrol and diesel. But other fuels � like gas � are beginning to enter the market. In this Data Sheet we explore the differences between the two major fuels � petrol and diesel � and take a look at what other fuels will be available in the long term and whether they will be any good for vehicles used for towing.
What makes a good tow car and which is best � petrol or diesel? These are questions that we are often asked. Besides making sure you have the right weight ratio between car and trailer and the correct gear ratios, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration. Brake horsepower (BHP) is the amount of power produced by the engine. Torque provides the pulling power. Different engines produce variable amounts of BHP and torque dependent upon speed and the type of fuel used. For towing you need a large amount of power and maximum torque early and over a wide range of the engine�s variable speed. Petrol and diesels give similar amounts of power and torque but at different times during the engine�s revolution band.
Petrol engines
- Tend to produce more BHP than diesels.
- Acceleration from a standing start is quicker.
- Cleaner than older diesels.
- Petrol and diesel is around the same price in the UK but petrol is dearer on the continent.
- Petrol engines are generally lighter.
Diesel engines
- Can be more expensive to buy.
- Can be noisier than petrol.
- Produce maximum torque at lower engine speeds.
- Give more miles to the gallon than petrol.
- Emissions from older engines may be dirtier than their petrol equivalents.
- Older vehicles may require more frequent servicing.
- Retain torque over a wider engine revolution range.
Other fuels
With the drive towards lower exhaust emissions, increases in fuel prices and government environmental policies, there is a growing interest in other types of fuels being used as alternatives or additions to petrol and diesel.
Gas engines
Gas engines have been around for a long time. Australia, Holland, Italy, Japan and North America have many thousands of cars powered by gas. Only recently are they becoming more popular in this country.
Gas is cheaper than both petrol and diesel, produces a lower power output but has a cleaner exhaust. A major drawback is that a gas tank is bulkier and heavier than a petrol or diesel tank and often uses boot space.
There are two main types of gas � Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). There are not many CNG filling stations around but there are an increasing number available at petrol stations.
British Gas is hoping to introduce a domestic CNG vehicle filling system. Drivers will be able to fill up their tank overnight from their household gas supply. If you intend using gas as a fuel, always employ a recognised converter. Contact the LP Gas Association for your nearest one. Car manufacturers are already offering converted vehicles. Volvo has a CNG option, Ford has five alternative LPG vehicles and Vauxhall has a dual-fuelled range including Astras, Vectras, Omegas and the Zafira.
Future fuels
- Biodiesels are derived from oil-rich crops such as rapeseed, sunflower, palm, olive and Soya beans. These can be used with little or no modification to a normal diesel engine. Cost of production is the main barrier.
- Dimethyl ether is derived from natural gas or methane and can be used in diesel engines. It is used mainly in the Scandinavian countries due to its lower emissions.
- Batteries offer an environmental friendly alternative power source but have restricted output. At present batteries are impractical for travelling large distances and require a number connected together with the consequential weight disadvantage.
- Hybrid vehicles, which combine petrol or diesel engines with an electric motor, are under development. They will play a vital role in cutting emissions.
- Cars are being developed that utilise fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.
These type of engines will not be available for several years and will need a new fuelling network.
These tips were brought to you by Club Care Caravan Insurance
--
Ashley Gilmour has wrote this article on behalf or Club Care Caravan Insurance and Touring Caravan Insurance
Someone considering towing a touring caravan will not only be looking for economy and performance but also for other factors like brake horsepower and torque. At present there are two main fuels � petrol and diesel. But other fuels � like gas � are beginning to enter the market. In this Data Sheet we explore the differences between the two major fuels � petrol and diesel � and take a look at what other fuels will be available in the long term and whether they will be any good for vehicles used for towing.
What makes a good tow car and which is best � petrol or diesel? These are questions that we are often asked. Besides making sure you have the right weight ratio between car and trailer and the correct gear ratios, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration. Brake horsepower (BHP) is the amount of power produced by the engine. Torque provides the pulling power. Different engines produce variable amounts of BHP and torque dependent upon speed and the type of fuel used. For towing you need a large amount of power and maximum torque early and over a wide range of the engine�s variable speed. Petrol and diesels give similar amounts of power and torque but at different times during the engine�s revolution band.
Petrol engines
- Tend to produce more BHP than diesels.
- Acceleration from a standing start is quicker.
- Cleaner than older diesels.
- Petrol and diesel is around the same price in the UK but petrol is dearer on the continent.
- Petrol engines are generally lighter.
Diesel engines
- Can be more expensive to buy.
- Can be noisier than petrol.
- Produce maximum torque at lower engine speeds.
- Give more miles to the gallon than petrol.
- Emissions from older engines may be dirtier than their petrol equivalents.
- Older vehicles may require more frequent servicing.
- Retain torque over a wider engine revolution range.
Other fuels
With the drive towards lower exhaust emissions, increases in fuel prices and government environmental policies, there is a growing interest in other types of fuels being used as alternatives or additions to petrol and diesel.
Gas engines
Gas engines have been around for a long time. Australia, Holland, Italy, Japan and North America have many thousands of cars powered by gas. Only recently are they becoming more popular in this country.
Gas is cheaper than both petrol and diesel, produces a lower power output but has a cleaner exhaust. A major drawback is that a gas tank is bulkier and heavier than a petrol or diesel tank and often uses boot space.
There are two main types of gas � Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). There are not many CNG filling stations around but there are an increasing number available at petrol stations.
British Gas is hoping to introduce a domestic CNG vehicle filling system. Drivers will be able to fill up their tank overnight from their household gas supply. If you intend using gas as a fuel, always employ a recognised converter. Contact the LP Gas Association for your nearest one. Car manufacturers are already offering converted vehicles. Volvo has a CNG option, Ford has five alternative LPG vehicles and Vauxhall has a dual-fuelled range including Astras, Vectras, Omegas and the Zafira.
Future fuels
- Biodiesels are derived from oil-rich crops such as rapeseed, sunflower, palm, olive and Soya beans. These can be used with little or no modification to a normal diesel engine. Cost of production is the main barrier.
- Dimethyl ether is derived from natural gas or methane and can be used in diesel engines. It is used mainly in the Scandinavian countries due to its lower emissions.
- Batteries offer an environmental friendly alternative power source but have restricted output. At present batteries are impractical for travelling large distances and require a number connected together with the consequential weight disadvantage.
- Hybrid vehicles, which combine petrol or diesel engines with an electric motor, are under development. They will play a vital role in cutting emissions.
- Cars are being developed that utilise fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.
These type of engines will not be available for several years and will need a new fuelling network.
These tips were brought to you by Club Care Caravan Insurance
--
Ashley Gilmour has wrote this article on behalf or Club Care Caravan Insurance and Touring Caravan Insurance
Related Tags: motor home, fuel, diesel, caravan, touring caravan, petro
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Improve the Value of Your Truck With a Truck Bed Cover
If you are a truck owner and are looking for a way to increase the value and also protect your inves - An Overview of Emergency Road Services
Anyone that owns a vehicle definitely understands that there are truly countless facets of driving a - Buying From Car and Truck Auctions in Canada
Buying a vehicle from an auction can be a good way to pick up a bargain as long as you know what you - 2011 Green Car Of The Year- Who's In It To Win It!
The Green Car of the Year award is a program designed by Green Car Jouranl to recognize and honor ve - Honda's 2010 Odyssey is Efficient, Practical and Convenient
If you are looking for a minivan that has a seating capacity of up to eight persons and handles almo - Greener Trucks For Delivery Work
Green' is a word you'll hear a lot when it comes to transportation, from bicycles to buses - but you - The Courier and Haute Couture
Some jobs just ooze opportunity to flaunt yourself and show off your latest togs but sadly that's ra - All-New 2011 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been a continuous leader for years in the family midsize sedan class by being a - The Various Benefits Of Summer Tires
As you probably know , different tires are optimized for different conditions. Not only that, someth - A Couple of Tips on Buying a Used Cars in Toronto
If your old car has finally kicked the bucket and you need to get yourself a new mode of transport t
Most viewed articles in this category:
- How to Remove Window Tint
Applying tinting film to car or household windows may be fun, but removing it can be tricky if yo - Transporting Your Car
If you are relocating to another state or another country for employment or family reasons, you may - Choosing The Right Sticker For The Motorcycle Helmet
When people decide to buy a motorcycle, the dealer will usually throw in a helmet. This is because s - Suzuki's 2007 Xl7, “wave” Grand Vitara Debuts at the 2007 Scias
In the news: American Suzuki Motor Corporation has presented its array of cars and SUVs at the 2007 - Nissan Skyline GTR: A Racer That Is Affordable
If you've ever eyed a Porsche 911 or a Ferrari Testarossa, but thought the price was too steep, the - How To Buy Cheap Cars
There are a number of seized car auctions held in various places every month or at least quarterly. - Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet
Three federal agencies in Kansas recently added hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehicles - New Cars, New Gadgets Presented at the 2007 Naias
The 2007 North American International Auto Show has become an event of glamour, fashion and technolo - Aura Green Line Added to 3 Federal Fleets in Kansas
Three Kansas City area federal agencies added Monday the new 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid vehi - Top Vehicles by Autoweek Editors Honored at 2007 Naias
Everybody has favorites. Bill may like Ford cars. Susan may be attracted much by the power of pi