Mat's BX Blog

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
Post Reply
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by mat_fenwick »

mds141 wrote:If I decided to carry out the fifth gear mod, would the car struggle to pull the caravan in top gear on the flat?
Calling all other caravan towing valver owners! ----^
It sounds like it might, certainly you'd be dropping into 4th more often. Worst case may be a bit of a 'hole' between gears where it's not happy in either, so you might have to travel at a slower speed if that was the case.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by mds141 »

That's what I was thinking Mat. TBH I stick below 52 mph on the motorway anyway, when I'm towing the caravan. I let the artics sail past and then snick in behind them and let their slipstream do all the hard work. I might just leave towing duties to the XM. I must say though, that the valver and the BX in general is a very good tow car. :)
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
User avatar
Mike E (uk)
1K Away
Posts: 1115
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 9:10 am
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks
x 1

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Mike E (uk) »

shoot me if I ever tow a caravan behind my 5th gear moded valver.
la BX 16 soupapes: sachez apprecier avec moderation.



It might be clever now, but it won't be in the morning!
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Des Smith »

Shoot me if I ever tow a caravan, full stop. Actually, I'd probably shoot myself!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
Vanny
Merseyside resident
Posts: 3581
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:48 pm
Location: BXProject
My Cars: BX 16v Ph2 - Jazz
BX 16v Ph2 - XPO
x 79
Contact:

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Vanny »

Can we all just agree to drive off the edge of the motorway if we ever find ourselves towing a caravan behind a BX?


A trailer however is perfectly acceptable, especially when dragged at very high speeds on a racing circuit fully loaded with fire extinguishers!
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Des Smith »

Vanny wrote:Can we all just agree to drive off the edge of the motorway if we ever find ourselves towing a caravan behind a BX?

A trailer however is perfectly acceptable, especially when dragged at very high speeds on a racing circuit fully loaded with fire extinguishers!
Trailers are a necessary evil. Towing a caravan constitutes a serious lack of judgement. No self-respecting petrolhead could possibly consider driving a rolling roadblock - the loss of credibility would require disembowelment or self-immolation at the very least. If you must tow a caravan, show some consideration for every other road user and do it at night when no-one can recognise you. I feel similarly disinclined to appreciate campervans, but at least they don't get themselves tangled up in a tankslapper when they have to brake unexpectedly.

I am biased - my last XM was nearly hit by a caravan wheel that had broken loose from a British double-axle caravan on the motorway near Avranche. Keep death of the streets - find a static park and leave it there!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by mat_fenwick »

Des Smith wrote:I feel similarly disinclined to appreciate campervans
:oops: Hey, watch it Des! :wink: Although I do feel a similar frustration when stuck behind them…especially when they're clearly trundling along while looking at the view. Both frustrating and dangerous, but that applies to tourusts who do that in any vehicle.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
User avatar
hilarystone
BXpert
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:44 pm
Location: Ebbw Vale, Fa and Dihewyd
My Cars: Citroen BX 16V, BX Van 16V, Visa GTI, CX Ambulance Turbo diesel, Xsara VTS Phase 1 and 2, Lotus Elan 1970, Clan Crusader, C8 2l petrol, 1982 GSA Pallas, 1974 GS Birotor
Contact:

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by hilarystone »

Yes I have towed a small caravan behind CX Safaris in the past and certainly don't think I have held up traffic - the CXs will easily tow a small caravan at the legal towing limit and to the national speed limit - I have been held up more often by morons on motorways in the the middle lane trundling along at 55 when I want to be going faster but am not allowed in the outside lane. And I have an enclosed box trailer I have towed on quite a number of times behind my 16V and that's ridiculously fast even when fully loaded...
Hilary Stone

http://www.Hilarystone.com
Period bikes, frames and parts

1985 Citroen CX Ambulance, 1989 Citroen BX 16V, 1987 Citroen Visa GTI, 2008 Citroen C8 2l petrol, Citroen BX Van 16V, Clan Crusader, 1970 Lotus Elan, Citroen Xsaras VTS phase1 and Phase 2, Citroen GSA, GS Birotor
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Mickey taker »

Oh yawn ,not the "lets slag carvanners brigade" how boring.
I love my caravan and if I hold you up , tough, get over yourselves,
I've never had complaints about holding other road users up, you know why ? , the silly feckers cant get oassed me lol.
Seriously though having towed for over 20 years using a variety of cars I have never been unable to keep up with other traffic driving at legal speeds,
I used to tow with a skoda estelle before getting my 19 trs
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
Dollywobbler
Over 2k
Posts: 3940
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:25 pm
Location: Wales
Contact:

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Dollywobbler »

Quite. I once towed a caravan with my 2CV. Through the Peak District. Still kept a pretty good head of speed up and even overtook something on the motorway! (a Range Rover towing a Range Rover). Caravan owners aren't half as nightmarish as bloody horseboxes. When have you ever seen one of those pull over to let the inevitable massive queue of cars behind overtake?
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by mds141 »

I quite like my caravan, aka, BXclub HQ. I certainly don't hold up traffic and if I do, I consider it payback, for all the times I've been held up by traffic when I've been out on the motorbike.

And what exactly constitutes a "petrolhead"? I've been messing around with cars, motorbikes, steam engines, diesel engines and the like since I could wipe my own arse. I don't consider myself a "petrolhead" though.

TBH I think the aforementioned phrase is something conjured up by the trio of middle aged imbeciles that host 'Top Gear'

Anyway, that's my two penneth worth. 8)
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Mickey taker »

Most of thr members here are diesel heads or der(v)brains as I prefer to call them
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
User avatar
Des Smith
1K Away
Posts: 1178
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:17 am
Location: Sydenham, London
x 2

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Des Smith »

Obviously touched a raw nerve here. I'm not about to change my opinion about caravans because I've seen the end result of too many caravan accidents and near-misses not to treat them as a potential hazard. I don't know whether the driver towing a caravan knows what they are doing or not, so safer to assume they don't. Same with any road user really - Riding a bike taught me that lesson very quickly.
Dollywobbler wrote:I once towed a caravan with my 2CV.
Frankly, Ian, that image chills my blood. You deserve a VC or a straitjacket for even considering that.
hilarystone wrote: I have been held up more often by morons on motorways in the the middle lane trundling along at 55 when I want to be going faster but am not allowed in the outside lane.

There are morons driving all sorts of vehicles and they don't just hog the centre lane. I've seen plenty of eedjits howling along at 85 in the fast lane with a trailer in tow and they scare me to death as well. It's not the speed, it's the stopping safely in a hurry that's the problem. It's not nice to see matchwood and personal possessions spread across the carriageway and a trashed car surrounded by emergency services. In my experience, the rolling roadblock effect happens on single-carriageway roads with plenty of bends and limited overtaking opportunities, not the motorway.
Mickey taker wrote:I used to tow with a skoda estelle before getting my 19 trs
At least no-one could accuse you of not having a sense of humour, Mick :wink:
mds141 wrote:And what exactly constitutes a "petrolhead"?


It's whatever you want it to mean, Mark. Take your pick...

1. A person who is overly reliant on the use of their car, resisting any suggestion to use other means of transport
2. Enthusiast of petrol engines or cars
3. Term of abuse used by environmentalists against car users

I tend to favour definition 2, but you choose.

Anyway, I'm not likely to become responsible for any draconian anti-caravan legislation anytime soon, so rest easy. Quick Mat, it's time we got back on thread - give us an update on your campervan before the lynch mob arrives!
BX14TE St Tropez 1990 - now sold
Xsara Forte 1.4i 2000
Kawasaki GPz550A4 1987
Dollywobbler
Over 2k
Posts: 3940
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:25 pm
Location: Wales
Contact:

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Dollywobbler »

It was a very small caravan!
User avatar
Paul296
Over 2k
Posts: 3483
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:39 pm
Location: Newark Nottinghamshire
My Cars: Citroen BX 17 TZD Hurricane
Citroen BX 17 TGD

Re: Mat's BX Blog

Post by Paul296 »

Surely saying all caravanners/caravans are dangerous is like saying all Scotsman are tight wads. It may well be that lots of them are, while many (quite rightly) would be offended at the very suggestion. Everyone pays road tax and that gives every one the right to use the road as the law says they are entitled, and with that entitlement comes the responsibility to drive safely. In my experience most caravanner's do precisely that. If you find yourself stuck behind one for longer than you'd like - chill out and enjoy the view; as far as public highways are concerned patience and common courtesy are very underrated virtue these days.
Post Reply