MJ towing capabilities

Have to say that I was extremely supprised by the towing capabilities of the MJ panda yesterday.

I had to recover my Sisley 4x4 from a so called gearbox specialists in Ulverston, Cumbria to near Egremont where I live, which is about 40 odd miles North. Doesn't sound far but this part of the A595 is very twisty and very hilly with quite a few gradient warnings on route. To be honest I wasn't looking forward to the journey back with pictures in my mind of long lines of traffic cues eagerly awaiting to overtake on the most dangerous of bends.

The journey down with the dolly was just as any other trip, the dolly being obscured in the rear mirror and just couldn't be seen I had to often remind myself that it was still attached by opening the window to hear the occasional clunk after going over a bump, there was no decrease in acceleration or braking at all.

I turned up at the garage and loaded the 4x4, strapped it down and reddied myself for the dreaded journey home. I got into the MJ and selected first. Now I have towed cars behind the 4x4 for years mainly other classic panda's where moving off was a particularly and painfully slow experience having to make sure there was plenty of space to pull out which normally meant a completely clear road. Expecting the same I gave the MJ some gas and lifted the clutch.

F**k me! was the first thought that went through my head as the MJ pulled away as if next to nothing was behind, certainly not a 750kg car looking like it was getting ready to mate with the MJ. It pulled incredibly well and had to for the first time in ages kerb the acceleration as we were in a 30mph limit and heading for 40. Making my way through the town which is also hilly in places suffered not a jot, it easilly pulled away from junctions in first and pulled just as well in second and third above that 2000rpm turbo lag area.

On leaving Ulverston I was already impressed by it's capabilities but the national speed country roads were looming. One thing about the national speed limit is that very few drivers in this area seem to know what that limit is. They get in their mind that as the Motorway is 70 then the duel carridgeway must be 60 and therefor the country roads must be 50 there were a couple of cars in front who suffered from the above lack of knowledge and one behind. We set off into the country lanes and yet again the MJ just continued to pull and accelerate not only was the car behind starting to drop back but the cars infront were not accelerating away into the distance as I predicted. What was predictable as said was the cars in front sticking to what they thought was a 50 limit so as a result not only was I leaving the car behind but had to hold back from the cars in front, even the hills were not a problem and the little MJ in all these conditions quite easilly reached the speed limit and with the odd press on the accelerator still had plenty to give.

During the whole journey I had no cars trying to overtake even on the straights, this journey was no longer a dread but quite a surprising and enjoyable experience. Once back onto the A595 about 8 miles out of Ulverston the roads became very hilly and once again I was expecting the MJ to loose speed and drop to tractor levels but no, it just happily continued. Yep I did have to use the gearbox on occasion and give it a burst of power to keep to the speed limit but with the exception of the steepest of hills just happily pulled along.

Expecting the return journey to be double the length of the outward I was once again happy and supprised that we were making very good time, well we were until we entered the police speed trap followed by a road block and a layby full of DOT vehicle examiners .

Near home there is a road called clintz brow, those from West Cumbria know it well. Its a straight but steep three lane road with two of the lanes strictly for those going up the hill. There is a roundabout at the bottom and a bridge/walkway goes over the road 4/5ths of the way up. The reason it's so well known is because it's what people in this area use to measure just how quick their car is from the roundabout to the bridge. It's widely acclaimed that a very fast car will top a ton before reaching the bridge whereas the average fiesta and 1.2 punto hit about 60. The 4x4 panda was never going to set the world alight on this test and managed an average of 55 being hampered on the hill by it's strange gear ratio's. Well now it was the MJ's turn It's been tested previously without a load and best not publish the speed on an open forum, however I wondered just how it would do with 750kg's of 4x4 Sisley on the back, so once past the roundabout gave it everything that the MJ had, the little thing pulled it's heart out and as we reached the bridge I was staggered to find that the speedo and the GPS was measuring 53mph, 2 mph below the speed of the 4x4 with no load OK I appreciate that we're not talking speeds of a dragster here, but for what the MJ is I think a very respectable result. It also shows just how bloody good it is at towing dead weight. I also found during this journey that not only was it superb at pulling up hill but on the steep downhill gradients the brakes were very sure footed and had no problems in copeing with the weight behind, ok the dolly was braked but for the conditions and steepness of these hills I was again supprised at just how well it coped with no fade whatsoever and no squeeking and sqeeling.

For those conserned that I'm ill treating this little car with little or no respect sleep well, it was a one off as far as clintz brow is conserned BUT what I have also found is a perfect little partner for on occasion dragging my classic panda's arround

Oh dear. There's another group of motorists who may not know what the speed limits are when towing.

A vehicle pulling a trailer is limited to 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and limited to 50mph on single carriageways (unless there's a lower limit in force). Large articulated lorries are further limited, to just 40mph on single carriageways, and 50 on non-motorway dual carriageways. Also, a vehicle pulling a trailer can only use the first two lanes of a three (or more) laned motorway.

(See more about this here: http://www.abd.org.uk/know_your_speed_limits.htm)

Nice story

I drove a Panda Multijet a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how nippy and torquey it was. I was expecting it to be a lot slower than a 100hp, but it isn't in real world driving.

I know the limit for trailers or is that a general observation?

Well done Alan, good to hear the 4x4 is now back from those Nasty people at the gear box place. Did they sort it in the end?

And good to hear that the MJ was such a good tower.

Any more pics

Jon.

I did actually plan to buy a 100hp, well the choices in my mind were between the 100Hp and the MJ, but on the test drive I found that the difference for me wasn't enough to ignore the other benefits of fuel consumption and tax rates. The 100hp certainly has a nicer look but again decided on the MJ but as time goes on will more than likely fit the rear spolier (already bought one) and possibly the bumpers of the HP

A 100HP MJ Hybrid

The Sporting kit looks mighty fine and will prolly just bolt onto yours, if it appeals...

Hi Alan.D

Not surprised with the towing prowess of your MJ. I have a bank of turf (what rising fuel prices to collect each year and use my MJ to tow about a half ton of turf at a time until I get it all in to my house. (Keep on eye on the gross towing weight of the MJ)

This it does with great aplomb, going up the gears easily and moving along at about 80 KPM (Max speed for towing on B roads). It gives the distinct impression that it would have no brother going even faster.

I have pictures somewhere of it getting stuck in the bog and driving itself out! I put it into 1st gear, let the clutch out and went behind it pushing. It just drove on out and I hopped in and brought it to a stop when clear of the wet part of the bog. Try that with a petrol car.

This is one car that just keeps on getting better. It has 78,750 miles (not KMs) and is still giving me 62.61 mpg overall.

No regrets then.

Stay safe.

BJ20

Thanks for that, gave me a chuckle

Just for the benefit of others. The max towing weight is 400kg unbraked and 900kg braked as now stipulated on the log book, didn't use to be, previously had the max axle & train weights on the chassis plate.

The 4x4 Panda was about 750kg and the braked dolly 95kg so overall just under and thankfully it was after getting pulled in by the DOT.

Max speed here on national speed limit for single carridgeway towing is 50 so not much different and your right it seems to have much more to give.

Anyway glad you are enjoying your MJ at only 5000 miles on the clock I've got a bit of catching up to do

The gearbox is a long story, one for the classic section and soon to be solicitors and courts My back was playing up so took pics of the car and the box for evidence later before leaving. Never got any with the 4x4 looking like it was trying to mate with the MJ but I'm sure there will be plenty in the future

The jury is still out on that one but having seen a new original spoiler on ebay for little money went for it and will fit it soon. I've got plenty of time for alloys and kit so wearing out the original set first before I go any further

A general observation, following on from your comment about folks not knowing speed limits on rural roads. As to the MJ -- roll on the 4x4 MJ: I've posted previously that it won't save me much money, but the general lugging power from the MJ will make a big difference.
Pete

Sorry , If they could sort the lights out I would import a cross with locking dif etc and probably easilly attained for the same money and being a Barchetta fan not worried about LHD

Maybe I should attach an old Panda to the back of my MJ! Was up your way last week and my wee boy struggled up and down the hills unladen. Certainly wasn't hitting the speed limits.