First Look at Towing with a Kia EV6

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An introduction to towing with my Kia EV6.
PLEASE NOTE! This video deals with the UK SPEC Kia EV6. The Kia EV6 Handbook recommends running-in your EV6 for 2000km/1200m before towing.
00:00 - Introduction - where to go for solo full reviews
01:21 - Weights and towing limits of the Kia EV6 / Hyundai Ioniq 5
02:10 - Towing mirrors to the Kia EV6 - check mirror screws don’t damage body when mirrors retract!
02:40 - In depth look at the detachable towbar for Kia EV6 / Hyundai Ioniq 5
06:29 - Hitching up to the caravan - and what NOT to do!
09:09 - The Driving Experience towing with an EV
10:35 - Why the poor hitching experience is set to be an issue
12:01 - How does the caravan affect the range of the EV6?
13:44 - What is the range of the EV6 towing a caravan?
15:00 - My thoughts on towing with an electric vehicle
15:15 - Is an EV suitable for me and my caravanning?
16:27 - Final thoughts and what's to come
For UK EV reviews and what life is like with an EV, check out the channel Electric Vehicle Man: / electricvehicleman
For the most in-depth data-heavy reviews of EVs, check out Bjørn Nyland: / bjornnyland
This video is all about towing with the Kia EV6. We look at how to attach the towing mirrors (NB - check no part of the towing mirror will damage the car when you lock it and mirrors retract), an in-depth look at the towbar and how to attach the removable towbar, where to attach the breakaway cable, hitching up including using the reversing camera, and finally what it is like to drive when towing the caravan, focussing on the driver experience.
A huge THANK YOU to the creative team who helped me with this project:
Additional Camera: Steven Macdonald (www.paddlehebrides.com/)
Brand Strategist: Shanna Trenholm (shannatrenholm.com/)
Advisor: Steve May
Designer: Sophia Daly Design (sophiadaly.com/)
Animation: Mark Mularz (fetchpdx.com/)
I bought my Kia EV6 from Dicksons of Inverness. www.dicksonsofinverness.co.uk/
I bought my 2015 Compass Rallye 530 from Kimberley Caravans of Darlington: kimberleycaravans.co.uk/
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If you would like personal guidance in buying your new camper van, motorhome, or caravan in the UK, I do offer a consultancy service where I use my thorough knowledge of the industry (having been a leisure vehicle journalist for over 20 years) to help individuals choose a leisure vehicle that is the right fit for their personal needs. Please check it out at:
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8 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 339

@petergreene1903 2 года назад

Hi Andrew. Liked your video. I owned an Enyaq IV 60 and towed my new 850kg caravan from Norfolk to Plymouth.(Weinsberg Caracito 390 QD all electric - I think you reviewed one). I have driven EVs for a number of years. Like you, I thought the driving whilst towing experience was superb and also loved the Enyaq as a solo vehicle. But our charging experience was so bad I sold the car a few days later and bought a KIA Niro PHEV to tow. I planned 5 charging stops on the Norfolk trip. We had to unhitch at every one. There were problems parking the caravan somewhere whilst charging. On one occasion it had to be parked on a housing estate and left with my wife in whilst I went off to the charger for an hour. At 50mph I was getting 2 miles per kw. Range at motorway speeds, 60mph, dropped dramatically to 1.2 miles per kw average. That made effective range with 20 miles reserve for charger issues about 80 miles. I had to charge to near 100% to achieve that, and that was towing with a following wind. One motorway charger was impossible to use as the caravan parking was at the far end of the services and the way back to the charger with the car was against a one way traffic flow system. Until we have universal tow through charging, I unfortunately won't be towing with an ev. The PHEV in my view, is the best compromise tow vehicle at this time, at least it allows me to do local journeys on electric only, but on long tow trips, I can fill up with petrol without unhitching. And on solo long journeys the Niro returns 60+mpg. Good luck and I will follow your videos with interest. If you restrict tow journeys to under 80 miles, this could be a great solution for you.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Wow, that is REALLY useful info, thank you so much for taking the time to share that. The most worrying aspect was needing to abandon the caravan - and your wife - on a housing estate. As I travel solo, that simply wouldn't be an option for me. Getting from the Outer Hebrides to anywhere in 80 mile hops is going to be pretty tedious to say the least, but I'm now even more curious/nervous/anxious about what I will find when I hit the mainland in June. Will I be following in your footsteps? We'll see. Thanks again.

@petergreene1903 2 года назад

Hi Andrew. We planned to stop at services with truck stops so we knew we could unhitch at the services. But we ended up with low charge and had to make an unplanned charging stop, hence the issue with leaving the caravan in the housing estate - the charger was in a council car park where we couldn't take the caravan. Interesting to follow your experiences. Like the fact you are giving it a go. And like the use of v2g to power the van. Increased availability of Tow through charging is the game changer I think.

@mondotv4216 2 года назад

@@andrewjditton Yep - just remember that it’s the aero that really affects your efficiency (as you discovered with the headwind). So if you stick to 50 mph you’ll do much better than 70mph. And you could compromise at 60mph which is pretty sensible wth a van.

@MrCrunchbucket 2 года назад

@@andrewjdittonhi Andrew, do you have the RWD or AWD variant?

@Perthshire 2 года назад

some quick words of warning for the towing mirrors UNDER the door mirrors - just be careful to consider what will happen if the mirrors auto fold on locking the car - they may bring the securing fixtures into contact with the door thus causing some damage.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

You're correct with that. However, the Milenco Aero mirrors here have rubber thumb screws so they don't damage the car. But thanks for mentioning it - something I should have said in the video for non-Milenco mirrors. Cheers.

@peturreynisson8669 2 года назад

I have been waiting for a video like this one. I ordered my EV6 almost 7 months ago and have been told by my dealer that I will be driving it by next weekend. My primary reason for buying the EV6 was to tow my caravan. And it looks so damn good. So happy to see that someone else is doing it. As I live in Iceland I will be dealing with all sorts of driving conditions. Lots of wind and cold weather, even in the summer. High mountain roads and deep valleys. This will be exciting. Thank you for a good and comprehensive video.

@JonathanPriceUK 2 года назад

Hi Petur, hope you enjoy it … like you I bought my EV6 with the aim of towing my caravan. I received my EV6 in November but have to get the towbar fitted now. I spent last year with an A class PHEV and that was enough to convince me (in a good way) to get the EV6. Have you seen the specs for the EV4 though?!

@petergreene1903 2 года назад

Read my comment before towing with your EV. Good luck.

@momarsden3053 2 года назад

My hat's off to you. Knocked it out of the park again with that chapter MrD. 👏😊

@BigBlueRabbit 2 года назад

Always love the silliness at the end with Dougal 👍🏻

@marvinsamuels1237 2 года назад

Hyundai/Kia reversing cameras are some of the best I’ve experienced. Hitching our old Santa Fe to our old caravan was so easy, even when I was doing it on my own. A really informative video. Nice work.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Thanks Marvin!

@garethlightfoot3665 2 года назад

I enjoyed the video, good to see the good and bad points as you see them so far. I'm looking forwards to see how your UK tour goes under electric traction this year, especially the practicalities of charging mid motorway run and how you might handle "off grid". Keep up the informative content.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Cheers Gareth!

@ianedwards6981 2 года назад

We're heading to the Islands at the end of July for 7 days. this has been a great chanel to watch. keep it up.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Excellent! Have a great time :)

@perlundin86 4 дня назад

Hi Andrew. Maybe you've already done this but a really useful tip for the 13-pin socket on the car is to remove the screws holding it, rotate it a quarter to the left on the back plate and then put back the screws again. This really makes a difference when connecting the plug to the car. It's still a two hand job but when the socket on the car opens to the left instead of upwards, the open cover "locks" the socket so it cannot rotate up behind the bumper when turning the connector in the socket on the car. And since the cover can be opened more, it becomes much more easy! And no risk of scraping your knuckles. I got an EV6 in February and we drove from Sweden to Croatia four weeks ago with our Adria Adora. After this trip with about 40 charging stops in total, hooking up the caravan to the car isn't even an issue anymore since the Pfaff with the connector is solved. The emergency brake cable has been easy to just feel how to attach it. In the beginning of owning the car I also felt it was necessary to stand on your knees to hook up the caravan but now it just takes seconds and isn't hard at all.

@andrewjditton 2 часа назад

Great tip! Thanks very much. I've simply got used to it over the 2 years I've had it :)

@johnriley5844 2 года назад

Andrew, a fabulous choice of tow car. It will be really interesting to see how you get on with it. Many thanks!

@Daveindurham 2 года назад

I have had several cars with similar tow bar set ups, wait until it is tipping down with rain and you have to lie on the ground to put it on. Also when you get older it becomes so much harder to lift it on and turn the lock. Factory deployable tow bars are so much better, one of the reasons why I didn’t go for the EV6, it is such a lovely car though.

@cryptoslacker-464 2 года назад

I have had similar problems with work utes . Extended trays are the worse. I think there needs to be a rethink about trailer attachment 😳 Electro magnets perhaps lol.

@markbradbury6076 2 года назад

Hi Andrew, another great video. As I've previously mentioned, I have towed with hybrids for the last 5 years, and my current car is a Volvo v60 recharge. It is the first car ive had with a detachable towball and all what you say is totally correct. I use a garden kneeling mat when hitching up. Manouvering on site in electric mode is just the best. Super easy and you can creep up on people. Range is halved when towing, just like it is in an ICE car.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Good stuff! When I had the XC40 hybrid on test last year (sadly not allowed to vlog it though) I used to save the electricity for the on-site manoeuvring too.

@michaellowdon2556 2 года назад

Hi Andrew, i agree towing with an ev is very relaxing and easy. I have a Jaguar e-pace. 76kw 310miles on full charge and a 1500kg van. When the weather gets down to around freezing 0 my range plummets from 290mile in real world to 200 if im lucky with the heaters on. When im towing in the winter im lucky to get 110miles. Throw into the mix that you dont want to empty your battery which is very bad, this means 80-90 miles is the norm when towing at best in low temps. I have found this is my biggest hang up with ev towing. Your car looks fantastic btw.

@DamienMcAvoy 2 года назад

Do you mean a jaguar iPace? I thought it could only tow 750kgs?

@UKMike2009 2 года назад

e-Pace is a Hybrid not a full EV. If you are running an i-Pace EV then the towing limit is 750kg only. A 1500kg caravan also takes the train weight above the maximum permissible by Jaguar. Don't fall foul of the law (or the rejected warranty claims).

@paulcooper5610 2 года назад

Great info for us all, many Thanks

@ceriedwards3 2 года назад

So grateful for this. I can't afford a new car just yet but am planning to go electric when I need a new car, but I tow a caravan so have been really put off as there has been nothing out there about towing. Thank you

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

You're welcome! The big test will come over the summer when we hit mainland GB for a few hundred miles. Thanks for watching.

@richardbinnie 2 года назад

Thanks for this excellent series Andrew. This was the big one for me and with the reduced range when towing there certainly are compromises and practicalities to consider. For towing over shorter distances though this really looks like something different. Still feel the charging infrastructure, while improving all the time, is lagging behind. Charging stations where both car and caravan can be safely parked would be a huge step forwards but I feel this is some way off as yet. Good work though.

@WH05GTH 2 года назад

Ohhh god that's exactly my pain in my KiA Ceed lol all the attachment of tow bar through to the connection of electrical cable and the jockey wheel! ,break away cable, I know your pain lol I have a garden kneeling pad lol love the EV6 and really looking forward to your experience as your journey with the EV6 continues.

@christinehughes998 2 года назад

Thank you Andrew ..very informative. I am still not sure to change yet to an ev due to the range when towing but maybe in a couple of years the manufacturers will improve that aspect

@camping_101 Год назад

Thank you so much for this video. This should be my next move with my BMW i4. I’ve just returned from a camping trip with my i4 and I was pleasantly surprised at the efficiency. Loved your video. Also, with a towing capacity of 1500kg, the only caravan I have found that is light enough was a 2008 Bailey Ranger. Thanks again

@andrewjditton Год назад

Glad it was useful, cheers!

@alarmactionukalarmactionuk893 Год назад

We use the motor mover to hitch up, it makes it very easy and precise(just remember to disengage before departure)..also when the jockey wheel is raised and clamped tight prior to driving off, make sure the jockey wheel handle is done up tight and not left to rotate un down by the road turbulence.

@nealeburgess6756 2 года назад

Hi Andrew, looks to be an impressive tow car. I am not surprised by its stability in windy conditions. With such a heavy car, with a low centre of gravity thanks to the batteries being mounted low down, and a short rear overhang I reckon it would be hard to beat on that subject. I like the way that car and caravan have matching colours. Sorry, I know it's a bit mean to say it, but I spotted the jockey wheel problem before you got close to hitching. My outfit has very limited ground clearance in that area. In fact the last time I did any serious towing (July 2019 pre covid), I went to the north of Spain to Asturias and Cantabria. Absolutely fantastic trip. But despite being very careful, and making sure the jockey wheel was properly up, I actually grounded it and broke the wheel. Thankfully a new wheel was easily sourced and cheap to buy (from a local DIY store). I hope you and Dougal get lots of happy trips in the new car. (Might be a good idea to invest in a glove or two to protect the knuckles).

@TravellingBox 2 года назад

My own tow car’s hitch and electric point is really low under the car as well. Absolute pain when it’s raining and you get wet knees as you’re scrabbling around on the floor. Thoroughly enjoying these videos and seriously interested to see how you get on long term. EV’s certainly seem to be improving massively so it’s exciting to see what happens over the next few years for us caravanners. Will be a long time before I can afford one though!

@CaraVanOlogywithBecky 2 года назад

Gave me painful knuckles flashbacks; when I towed with an XC60 that was the same :( Kept a pack of plasters in the car! The tow bar looks exactly like my current VW factory/Westfalia one, as you get used to it it’s easy to turn the knob all the way back to reset as you detach it. Much better as a 2 handed operation as heavy so only workable if not filming/camera on a tripod ;-) but much easier to do then, rather than once detached. Loved the silent driving, it’s magic, no noise and yet 3.5tonnes almost floats along so smoothly.

@wendyharrison5168 2 месяца назад

Hi Andrew, your videos are consistently incredibly informative. We actually spoke a couple of years back at the NEC autumn show about towing with EVs. Since then, I've made the leap. I parted ways with my Pegasus Brindisi for a smaller, lighter, all-electric caravan, opting for the Beachy 420. This move rendered my diesel 4x4 unnecessary. I chose the Tesla Model 3 RWD for its LFP battery, which with tow-bar and Tesla deals last autumn made it considerably more affordable, but lower towing weight. The decision to go with the Model 3 was driven by three main factors: 1) the LFP battery, 2) the extensive Tesla charging network (after experiencing queues at charge stops with my previous EV, an IONIC 28kW), and 3) the exceptional software. Regarding the tow-bar setup on the Model 3, it's virtually identical and yes, I found myself on the floor during the set-up too. One word of caution: the manual I have advises removing the locking red key rather than leaving it in. On our first outing this Easter, we faced strong winds, sub-zero temperatures and even snow. Despite the challenging conditions, we managed to achieve 2.03 miles per kWh. During our second outing this May bank holiday, taking the scenic route, we achieved 2.4 miles per kWh. Looking forward to your next video Wendy 👍

@andrewjditton 2 месяца назад

Great stuff, Wendy!

@kjetilvalde2788 2 года назад

Thanks 👍 Finally some EV6 towing test. I had the same problem as you have with the sharp edges on the 13pin connection on a KIA Optima PHEV I previously owned. I used some fine sandpaper to round the edges of the lid, so I didn't had to were glows every time i connected the trailer lights. Also some car/auto electric lubricant spray in the connector makes connecting so much smoother. Looking forward to receive my EV6 AWD LR GTLine in August. I got two cargo trailers and one camping trailer, so it's got some towing ahead of it.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Great stuff! Enjoy the EV6 when it arrives.

@reginaldcrudstump383 2 года назад

Very informative video Andrew. I've just ordered an EV6 and will be towing with it so this was useful information. Cool dog!

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Thanks! I've just started a 'real life' tour with the caravan so please check that out. Cheers!

@anneshirley1748 2 года назад

I really enjoyed this video, thank you!! So quiet and peaceful while driving! You're loving your new rig, can see it written all over your face! I love your jacket, I just love leather full stop, never tires or grows old. Wish we could all say that!! Looking very handsome there, love the white beard!! Take care xxx 😘🐕🥰

@acceleratedriving 2 года назад

hitching up...yes, get that jockey well sorted before hitch.. Yes, we've done that too!... Good advice ref breakaway cable. But,,, I'd recommend something - piece of of carpet or whatever, over the car's rear 'bumper', to protect it in case you nudge the car against the hitch... Great review.

@carpor911 2 года назад

Awesome, bought a Tesla Y and hope to do the same. looking forward to the next video.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Fantastic!

@kingphiltheill Год назад

Thank you for the amazing insight. We plan on travelling with a Model Y and a tent trailer from the east of Germany to the south of Britain in the summer. Will be a fun experiance I guess.

@emyrbrown 2 года назад

Hi Andrew thanks for another great vlog👏🏻This has really captivated us! This is really interesting and we are really looking forward to more vlogs👍🏻 I'm wondering if the caravan and motorhome club could get behind this and approach the government to request that they also put or at least trial charging points for the caravanning and motorhome community which have larger (longer) bays, so that you could charge you'r setup without unhitching your caravan, trailer tent, or car if you have a motorhome, thus helping with safety and potential theft issues. Therefore you could just pull up unplug the caravan electrics from the car and then proceed to charge your car whilst attached to your rig. They are going to have to create these larger bays for HGV's, buses etc so they should also be thinking about our community. Thanks Emyr + Karen.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Great idea! I hope someone will take this up.

@gavinstreetie1473 2 года назад

I have the same TowBar on the Subaru it’s a knee job but not so low as yours thanks for the tip of the breakaway cable ( same issue) yea full agreement about the socket too …. Nice set up Gavin

@alanjackson4646 2 года назад

I knew I could rely on your honest approach. Beautiful looking car. Personally if I was solo I would buy a smaller, lighter van. For the B.S. family man towing a caravan of your size laden for a holiday with possibly partner plus two; the range will take a greater dip !

@patrickdankbaar6524 2 года назад

Thanks for your good video.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

You're very welcome!

@jeffcalvert4917 2 года назад

Thanks for the very interesting video. One other point to look out for is the weight of the car plus the maximum allowed weight of the towed caravan is 3600kg, which is greater than that allowed if you are over 70.

@rogerbickerstaffe7288 2 года назад

If when renewing your licence at 70 one wishes to keep the C1 category one must pass a medical.

@dd9ag 2 года назад

Thanks for making this excellent video Andrew, I’ve just towed a 2019 Sprite Major 6 with a Toyota RAV 4 hybrid awd. I totally understand what you mean about the joys of electric towing. I think mine is a better choice for towing as the range on full electric is quite limiting currently. I’m sure the situation will improve soon though. I averaged about 35 mpg towing btw.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Many thanks! I think it's not just the range, I think it's also lack of confidence in the charging infrastructure that is a huge obstacle as well. We will find out in a few week's time!

@davidmbell 2 года назад

On both my current Kuga and the Audi A4 before that the fold down 13 pin socket was rotated almost 90 degrees and it allows the flap to open without the restriction of the bottom of the bumper and less knuckle scrapeage.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Cheers Mr B! Oliver Cox has just suggested the same thing - good idea!

@susanbinks8868 2 года назад

Hi Andrew Excellent review on towing with an Electric Car, with the tow bar fittings being low one of those Foam Garden Mats may be useful for when you kneel to hitch up & unhitch. I'm sure in time it won't be too much of a problem though. I know you are going to get a lot of enjoyment with your New Car & Dougal loves it too! Looking forward to seeing your New Caravan!! Lots of Love to You & Dougal 💖💖💜💜🐾🐾 XX

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Great idea! xx

@MrVeeBlog 2 года назад

15:50 Smitten is the best word to use for the EV6 for me and I don't yet own one. Great review. Thanks

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Smitten, rhymes with Ditton ;@) Many thanks! Use of the word 'yet' hopefully means you have one on the way? ;)

@mikepepler 2 года назад

We've noticed the 'wind effect' on energy consumption even in a tiny Renault Zoe. Having the heating on makes a difference too, so you can also keep your coat on for a few extra miles in winter! 😂 The big thing is speed though. When you've got more miles in, I'd be interested to know what the consumption is like at a steady 40, 50 & 60mph. I'm guessing it'll rise pretty quickly!

@woody7232 2 года назад

Great that you are shining some light on the important topic of towing with an EV, have been watching for a while but subscribed now you are in a really interesting field. An EV towing a standard caravan is full of compromise as you are pointing out, it's likely that caravans with their own electric propulsion will be needed to achieve reasonable range for most people. These will also eliminate your hitching issues, with short-distance forward, reverse, up and down movement handled by the caravan's own propulsion system. Towing dynamics and recommended towing weight ratios will need a complete review with these new electric caravans. I hope the next caravan you have ordered is an Airstream eStream...

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Ha ha! Oh I wish for an eStream! I've blown all my £ on the car unfortunately!

@Nick_Smith1970 2 года назад

I suppose the only downsode to having a battery and motors built into the caravan is, that it will all add an extra 500kg to the caravan, which may then push it over the towing limit for the cars. So my 1450 kg caravan will become 1950 kg say, and be un-towable. Unless the towing limit figure changes once the caravan is self-propelled.

@perlundin86 2 года назад

Oh Andrew! You've really hit a sweet spot! For me as a caravan nerd and working with Kia, to follow your journey will be the best thing on RU-vid for me this year! I also believe that electric cars is the future and that they make great tow cars. We just needs to adapt to some changes but just the thought of being able to go on holiday with your caravan emission free is the best! Where I live we have the fastest change to chargeable cars in the world right now and this is creating a lot of challenges with the charging infrastructure. How is the charging infrastructure in Scotland and do you have a charger at home?

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Hi Per, thanks for your message. I am waiting for a home installation but as I do few miles on the island, I can do with a 13amp socket for now. It's cheaper for me to charge publicly on the island. If you check out 'charge place Scotland' online you can see that we are well served. The BIG stumbling block is not being able to charge with a caravan attached. I am already getting anxious about longer trips :-/

@perlundin86 2 года назад

@@andrewjditton If you are going to charge at home, I really recommend to install a home charger. The home charger has built in safety features that makes the charging faster and safer. I need to say that I don't know the regulations for the British sockets but for the rest of Europe that uses the Shuko-socket, there is a limitation for how much the socket can handle. The shuko-socket is designed for a load of maximum 16 amp for one hour. It's not designed for a high output of power during a long time and since it takes more than one hour to charge a car the home charger is a much more safe option. With a home charger you also can add active load balancing so if you for example come home and plug in your car, get inside and start fixing dinner and also start a washing machine, the active load balancer lower the power to the home charger so you don't overload your fuses in the house. After working with chargeable cars, both phev:s and ev:s I really recommend a home charger if you are going to charge at home. The convenience and safety is so much better with it. The range anxiety is something you have before you've made the first longer trip. After the first trip, that is gone. It takes just one longer trip to get to know the range and how it works. At the moment I think Tesla is a little bit better than all other brand due to their charging network but in time, this will improve for every other charging companies as well.It looks like Scotland is really ahed in the uk with the charging infrastructure compared to England. Is the infrastructure in Scotland founded by the government? It looks really good and it seems to be the same for the whole country. Here in Sweden we have a lot of different charging companies but all of these are "private" companies so there is no brand that is completely covering the country.

@Nick_Smith1970 2 года назад

Hi Andrew, very informative. Not enought EV towing vids about yet. I've got the BMW i4 on order, with factory fitted electric towbar. The good thing about that is the electrics and breakaway are mounted to the swan neck itself, so no more scrabbling about in the dirt. I'm so relieved. Damp knees at 3am before we set off are no joke. Cannot wait to get towing with an EV.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

That sounds awesome Nick! Yes, I know the towbar that you mean, and it's WAY superior to the clumsy thing I've got. Hopefully there will be an option to upgrade down the line. Hope you get your i4 soon and you find some value in the forthcoming vids. Cheers!

@Nick_Smith1970 2 года назад

@@andrewjditton yes, I presume it only works with a fully electric tow bar, as it all moves as one integral unit. Not much point on a removable swan neck. I’m excited to use it, as I’ve had ones like yours fir the last 3 years. 😁

@keitharksey8622 2 года назад

Been to Kia garage in Morpeth, Northumberland. Very helpful and genuine. Charlie guided us through all relevant info. No pushing. Test drive went well. Went to nearby Hyundai garage. Couldn't be bothered. Standing next to the car with the sales guy, with minimal input from him. No tour of the car, advantages, features etc. No offer of test drive. Really poor and in tune with your experience!! Probably getting an EV6 on that basis.

@ecoworrier 2 года назад

I have an Ioniq 5 on order. Incredible platform.

@waynecartwright7276 2 года назад

me too since mid November, no idea when i will get it as was originally due April 22nd

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Poop. Hope you get it soon. Awesome cars!

@caravanstuff2827 2 года назад

The cost of fuel is going to continue to go up so as a result caravaners will only afford to stay local in the future... your a head of the trend again Andrew!!!.😎🇳🇿

@Birky_41 Год назад

Great video and insight. I would switch to as big 4x4/SUV EV but the batteries need to be 200+ kw. I own a 500e as a second car which is efficient pulling near 5 m/kw at times but I went Alfa Stelvio 2.2 diesel for towing. It will get high 40mpg normally and high 20s low 30s towing a big box trailer with motorbikes at motorway speeds and still 300+ miles on a full tank. EV are there for 80% of drivers now but towing needs to be planned carefully and sub 80ish mile journeys with charging at the end destination

@berniebne8243 2 года назад

I'd be moving that lighting socket so a piece of metal is your lowest point. We occasionally scrap the ground maneuvering. Remember that speed bump at the motorway services & your motor mover. My old-style detachable tow bar is also a pain. I seem to have to get on the ground to fasten up the anti-rattle bolt. Safety chains are compulsory in Australia, I don't understand why the UK doesn't have them. Overall a great car.

@steveb1856 2 года назад

Hitching arrangement is very similar on my Nissan X-Trail, sensibly the 13pin is on the opposite side to the tethering eye, but it swings down the same and it and the towbar socket are tucked well under so they are hidden when not in use but it’s not easy to reach,. Get yourself a gardening kneeler pad for when you are on sharp chunky hard standing!

@alancrawford3563 2 года назад

While you're getting the kneeler pad, get some gloves. 😀

@andreaslindberg5872 2 года назад

I saw a post on Ioniq 5 forums about a guy who had a drop-down tow hook installed on his Ioniq 5. I have one in my current Volvo and it's great. Just push a button in the boot, the hook drops down and you nudge it with your foot to lock it. The electrical outlet is on the hook and easy to reach. Might be something to consider...

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

That is an upgrade I would DEFINITELY go for! However, right now hardly anyone in the UK can get hold of a towbar for the Hyundai/Kia platform - it seems I got lucky. Thanks for the info.

@joesrvhome 2 года назад

How cool! Love the idea of towing with electric cars...torque is king!

@okcantbelieveit294 2 года назад

I drive a “normal “ car but I’ve used an extension for the breakaway cable as well as an extension lead for the electrics. Small bungee cord keeps everything clear of the ground!

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Great idea, thanks!

@stefanfrembgen637 2 года назад

With a Model X and a Hymer Touring GT (from the now defunct Canadian North American Hymer Group), we managed 550Wh/mile on a 1500 mile trip in the Eastern US. Max. 65 mph on freeways, 55 on other roads. We were lucky and never had to unhitch at any of the superchargers, which is, like you demonstrated, a bit of a project with the recessed location of the electric plugs owed to the aerodynamic underbelly of the EVs. We like to plan for chargers never being more than 150 miles apart. Aerodynamics really matter. Would be interesting to see a tow test with the Kia and one of the smaller Eriba caravans.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Interesting info, thank you! Yes, I'd love to do a head-to-head regular caravan/Eriba comparison. Maybe over the summer?

@Cherokyv 2 года назад

Suerte Andrew, y no te quedes sin batería que será lo mas probable

@rexeady4325 2 года назад

Thanks Andrew - been waiting for a video like this ever since the EV6 came out. Great tow car I think, but who on earth designed that towbar.?? Certainly was not a caravanner. This difficulty with towbars is not confined to Kia though. My Discovery 4 had a similar arrangement and was the reason I sold it for something much easier. Look at Audi or Skoda to see how it should be done.

@Alex-ek5fb 2 года назад

13 pin and breakaway cable faff could be difficult once you take it on a long distance trip this summer. The vast majority of rapid chargers have really short leads. With the EV6 on its own, you would back into it, but you can’t do that when towing. So I guess you would: 1) try to find one of the few drive through chargers (petrol station style). These are common on the continent but not here. OR 2) you just cope with the bruised knuckles and charge at the rapid chargers, probably to 90% SoC or more. OR 3) you find a camp site every 110 miles with a 16 amp supply and charge overnight. Note that the two main UK caravan clubs require you to attach the charger to a caravan plug socket, not the bollard, so you need to be careful not to trip the caravan or bollard circuit boards. Easier is probably to get to the site, then drive to a rapid charger if one is near. Anyway, I am looking forward to your reports, because it s something I am really considering. Perhaps something smaller like an Eriba Touring would work better: narrower, lower (pop up roof) and more aerodynamic). Or there is the Silver camp from Trigano. All of them rather smaller than your Airstream I’m afraid.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

You've summed it all up perfectly there. We will see what the summer brings!

@Justin52wales 2 года назад

Going to be interesting to see you going to a service station with the caravan on to charge

@douglasjre 2 года назад

If you are considering I would have never considered pulling a trailer that big with that vehicle. Truly amazing 🤷

@lifebeyondbricks 2 года назад

Great video Andrew…and dougle of course. Even the best ICE in the world (current F1 engines) only run at just over 50% efficient. EV motors run around 90% efficiency so I suppose you can’t argue with that.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Oh you'd be surprised... there's a lot of people who can argue with anything, as I've found out :-/

@lifebeyondbricks 2 года назад

@@andrewjditton 🤣 yeah you are right actually. Im EV or hybrid all the way. burn less is best.

@Kamavagadoo 2 года назад

Very interesting and I’ll follow with interest. Lovely car but the thought of getting down on the ground in bad weather to unhitch to charge up on a journey worries me. As an Eriba owner I wonder if the aerodynamic styling and low roof would improve range considerably.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

I think an Eriba definitely WOULD improve the range. Would love to try it out some time.

@nealeTH 2 года назад

There are reports that the aerodynamics of what your are towing have a greater impact on range than weight. Weight does play a part, but it is the shape that counts. A guy with a Tesla in America swapped his boxy caravan for an airstream of similar weight and got an instant improvement in range. I can see a movement growing for more aerodynamic, tighter caravans with the likes of Eriba, Barefoot and Tab. There are some great caravans out there. The aerodynamics and weather have a serious impact fossil fuel cars too, but with petrol stations and average distances on one tank being higher, people shrug it off. Although with soaring fuel prices, that may change.

@TheHappyPensioners 2 года назад

Crikey! What a rotten tow ball thingy! It looks evil! That would kill it for me, my knees aren’t that clever at the best of times! Susan has to do the caravan steadies, or anything else low down. Great vid as always, many thanks!

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

You know me, I tell it as I find it! ;)

@MountainGoat69696 Год назад

Great series and in depth review. Yes you can tow a caravan with any car depending how big the caravan is. If you are travelling short distances you can scrape thru but not in Australia where you can travel at least 400km in one day without a major town let alone an electric charger. The biggest problem with EVs, they are at least 10 years from better development in battery technology. My honest opinion, if you want to tow long distances without the worry of range don't depend on the EV, Diesel is the best option. Unfortunately, the manufacturers are under pressure to produce EVs only because the politicians are forcing them to do so, not because they want to, this is the reality.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Yes, since doing further research, it's quite clear that current battery tech is massively unsustainable.

@namespacetoosmall 2 года назад

Agreed! Once I got an EV I never want to go back. :) Thanks Andrew! (PS. Also don't forget that an EV is much cheaper to run than an ICE car.)

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Very true!

@Brooksontour 2 года назад

This is going to be a really interesting series as I know you will test and report on all the good and not so good things. I do have a question for when you are out over the summer: will the car keep your fridge working while you are towing? This is something we struggle with with a Euro 6 Diesel engine. Looking forward to following your journey

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

I'll certainly be trying to keep the fridge going Ann! Cheers.

@stevefarrimond 2 года назад

What’s the struggle Ann? I have a Euro 6 also, not got my caravan yet. Am I missing something ?

@Brooksontour 2 года назад

@@stevefarrimond now I’m not very technical but it is a common problem apparently, it is something to do with the alternator on euro 6 engines reducing the output from the battery that means the fridge won’t maintain its temperature (your fridge won’t cool down using the car). If you google you will find lots of info about it

@CaraVanOlogywithBecky 2 года назад

I’m lucky, mine (‘69 VW T6) seems to be fine (perhaps over efficient sometimes!) but the 12v system is some sort of hyper complex, mega black box of magic tricks! If my reading of Schaudt’s wiring diagram/German instructions is correct it actually boosts the incoming voltage for the fridge. The Caravan Chronicles blog is an excellent source of technical info and ways to deal with the problem of it does occur.

@miketroup847 2 года назад

Ann I am sure you need a battery to battery charger fitted on some euro 6 diesel cars

@davva360 2 года назад

Don't know how I found this video but it was interesting. I was born in the UK but lived in the US for over 20 years. I tow a camper but it weighs 8300 pounds dry and is 35 feet long. So I don't think this will work LOL. I also wouldn't fancy messing around underneath like that to insert the hitch. 120 mile range would be a bit of a nightmare in the US though.

@adiwilson42 2 года назад

It's the same on my Mondeo for the towbar . I have to kneel on the floor and Very difficult to take in and out

@breseler 2 года назад

Would an 'extension' to the power socket fitted to the towbar solve the issue of crawling around on the deck? Can the breakaway cable be adapted in a similar way?...

@tonydenial1485 2 года назад

Hi Andrew thanks for the vlog, do you think you would get more MPC if you towing that Bailey D that you had from Lee Davey, oh and Dougal needs a warm jacket, he's getting on a bit ! Cheers 😊👍

@billcarter5149 2 года назад

Hi Andrew, I'm glad I happened upon your video. I've been looking into what might be suitable small camping trailers here in the U.S. One thing I'm curious to know about your EV6 preparation for towing is what you decided to install for an electric brake controller. I don't think you mentioned one. And did you have a dealer install the hitch mount to the car? Looking at my EV6 under the back end, it's apparent that a panel just forward of the backup lights would have to be removed and modified. I wonder if the steel car frame just above is designed to be ready for a hitch installation.

@Erin-Thor 2 года назад

I love the idea of electric vehicles, but one of the off-road channels bought one in Phoenix, AZ, USA, and what was a one day trip (14 hours) took them 5 and a half days getting their all electric BMW Mini Cooper home. They tested an American electric at towing, and its range under load was comical. (Granted, Colorado, up and down grades pulling a 2,500 lb. weight) I’d love one, but it would have to be a hybrid w/an engine as well as electric.

@ManxAndy 2 года назад

Good evening Andrew…..& Dougal 👍🇮🇲🐶

@dpsurtees 2 года назад

Very good video Andrew. Are there more aerodynamically efficient vans out there which might help with the mileage?

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Yes. Eriba. But, sadly, all my loot went on the car.

@christianmarler21 2 года назад

Great video, would be nice to know what charging stations are best for EV’s with caravans from the apps like Zap-Map or a ABRP, maybe the would be a choice in the future to ask the apps for drive through charging station like Cobham’s Ionity charger.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

I think Zap-Map needs an upgrade to consider this!

@BrianHSC Год назад

120 miles per charge is too low for me to jump on it. Assuming I drive 60mph, that's every 2 hours. Trying to find charging location every 2 hours could limit my travel options. I may wait a bit until it is improved or there are more charging stations. But the information was valuable nonetheless so thanks.

@andrewjditton Год назад

All I aim to do is offer true to life information for people to decide whether or not it's for them. Glad you found it useful, thanks!

@thecarrievanners 2 года назад

Andrew...our boot is normally filled with stuff...are you carry all the usual paraphernalia? ...i.e extra Kg?

@trevorthorn5011 2 года назад

There is always a compromise but it’s early days with all the electric well done for sticking your neck out hopefully you’ll get some sponsorship soon

@connemarasolar 10 месяцев назад

Hi Andrew, always like your videos with Dougle and the many caravans you have towed with other vehicles too. I am about to retrofit a towbar on my 2022 EV6. Do you know what brand your towbar is? Is there an upgrade to the onboard computer required? Looking forward to hooking up caravan and having many EV touring trips.

@andrewjditton 10 месяцев назад

Hi there, mine is the standard manufacturer's towbar, branded Hyundai (I guess you know the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 share an identical platform?) Good luck!

@noproblem2big337 2 года назад

Interesting concept although wouldn't work here in Australia as you would get stranded somewhere due to long distances and few charging stations...

@andrewjones-productions 2 года назад

I agree that EVs are better tow cars than CEVs from the point of view of torque. That is why diesel has long been the vehicle of choice for heavy tow-ers such as some caravanners, farmers pulling livestock trailers, contractors pulling trailers with plant machinery and tipping trailers etc.. I also am somewhat envious of your circumstances that they allow you to purchase an EV now (I don't mean finances). Unfortunately, for me in Japan, my next vehicle is going to have to be a diesel for three primary reasons. 1) I need a vehicle that has a huge rear space for my work 2) Japan is snow country with very low temperatures and batteries do not hold up well in cold - as of present 3) It takes far longer to cover the same distance in Japan as compared with the UK and charging stations are too few outside of the Kanto region and NONE are designed for charging with a trailer. It is kind of frustrating as I am quite ready to move to an EV if a suitable one were available and the charging infrastructure was far better than at current. It is probably one reason why the uptake of EVs is way below that of Europe. Note that hybrids are conversely popular.

@dolgo79111 2 года назад

attention: do not tow caravans before driven 1.200 miles / 1.500 km solo. Otherwise elektro motor can be crashed (see handbook)

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

I have absolutely no idea why the car camera made my voice go all squeaky :-/ I didn't use a mic (as I never have done with this camera) so you get an idea of the ambient noise. Being able to audibly whisper is just slightly different to the shouting I used to have to do in the pick-up :)

@jeanne_margaret 2 года назад

Hahaha

@Erin-Thor 2 года назад

I liked it! 🤣

@SailwaveScoring 2 года назад

You say it also applies to the ioniq 5. I’ve just bought one. The ioniq 5 though is 2 inches shorter than the EV6 with less rear overhang and also a longer wheelbase. There is also a retracting as opposed to detachable tow bar would be interested to see how they differ.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

I've just heard about this retracting towbar Jon. I might have to change this title. FYI, my towbar is branded Hyundai! I wish I'd known about this before buying as THAT is a game-changer. Me too, I'd love to know how they differ. Thanks for watching.

@TheHeadlong 2 года назад

Very interesting Andrew. I might have missed it in a previous video but I can't seem to find it, is your EV6 the RWD of AWD version?

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Hi Johan, it's the RWD. Click on my name to be taken to the channel page, then go to the 'videos' tab. Cheers!

@YAMR1M Год назад

I always mount the Milenco mirrors under the car mirror... It stops the fittings obscuring the view and is neatly out of the way when towing. I don't like anything obscuring the view to be honest and because of the shape of the arms they sit in the same position but are almost totally out of any line of view.

@martinprosser8521 2 года назад

Paint the cable loop yellow half the problem is not being able to see where you are aiming for, I would also look at fitting a second 13 pin plug on the caravan like you would find on a lorry trailer. With this you can drop the caravan at a charging point and leave the cable wrapped around the tow bar.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Top tip! Cheers Martin!

@gordonbradford4054 2 года назад

Andrew, I have had my GT Line S AWD since November and have an overall average of 2.9 M/kW. I have never seen more than 4 M/kW! That is without towing.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Wow, that's low. Although it's one of the reasons I went for the 2WD. On the island I can often get over 4mi/kWh, and even towing I can get up to 2.3.

@WestfieldFreshAir Год назад

I would love that rear camera view for hitching. Wouldn't like how far under the car the socket and tow bar connection is though. Range accepted, the ease of towing with an EV would be great. I've mentioned elsewhere the 40mph uphill towing limit with the EV6, has this been issue up Shap or Beatock if you try towing at 60mph?

@andrewjditton Год назад

I've not investigated this yet - it'd help if Kia talked to me. I don't understand the reasoning behind it. So far it's not been an issue for me - the lack of definition of 'long' and 'uphill' means this restriction is, in my eyes, pretty worthless. Thanks for bringing it up and I'll see if I can dig up a reason why. Nobody can answer the 1200 mile 'running in' question either.

@caravaningincarathevan467 2 года назад

Interesting. I dont think it will work for me yet. Long journeys without hookup at the other end. Like you say there's no charging points that you can drive through yet. Xx stay safe xx

@darrengreaves5373 2 года назад

Hi Andrew , firstly please allow me to thank you for your excellent and informative videos . I take delivery of my EV6 on 11th April after a seemingly long wait of 4 months (I want my car so badly !!!! ) I ordered the AWD GT Line and I’ve been desperate to find real , honest information on towing as this car replaces my Range Rover Sport . The only issue I have at the moment is getting information and the ability to have the tow bar fitted ? I’d be extremely grateful if you could point me in the right direction , my dealership are telling me that they cannot give me a date for fitting as they are awaiting parts ? The caravan is on the driveway and we are desperate to get away again . Many thanks , Darren

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Hi Darren, I think it's luck of the draw. My dealer was told 5th May for the towbar, then it turned up unexpectedly 8 weeks earlier. Hope you get yours sorted soon.

@karencarpenter8275 Год назад

Do you know if the ev6 has a towcar traction control system? (To counteract trailer sway)

@alexmacspot 2 года назад

I can recommend a pair of picking gloves (Screwfix) for keeping your skin. I have got used to carrying a pair in the car purely for hooking up.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Cheers Alex!

@gordonbradford4054 2 года назад

Saw you a couple of days ago near Fort William, I was in my MoHo.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

That was us!

@thecaravanus4067 2 года назад

Great video Andrew, love how electric cars have come on in the past few years. My biggest bug bear is range, you say realistically 120 whilst towing but that solo. With a faintly of four plus luggage & a van at 85% it seems that would be reduced to approx 80 miles. The range makes an EV a nine starter for a caravanning family, I am sure manufacturers will address this downfall.

@jackjoyce1744 2 года назад

The weight hardly impacts your range! It’s mostly aerodynamics that affects it. I have towed a caravan from Jersey to Portugal and the weight hardly had an impact.

@thecaravanus4067 2 года назад

@@jackjoyce1744 Really? that’s not the impression I got from reading publicity material for EV’s. They all imply that weight has an affect on range. Even Andrew states a solo range of 328 but 120 whilst towing, this would imply the additional weight along with drag is affecting the range. Below is taken from an article regarding EV weights. Weight: the heavier your car - from passengers or luggage - the more energy it needs to move; your range will be affected by the load you are carrying

@jackjoyce1744 2 года назад

@@thecaravanus4067 weight does have an impact but as I said it’s the aerodynamics that play more of a factor. Take a look about ev towing on Reddit and they will describe it better than me.

@jonsykes8780 2 года назад

To see what various combinations have an effect on range, take s look at the CarWow video of towing with an Enyaq. He tested actual range for solo, full of passengers, skis, roof box, bike and a small caravan. Not exactly scientific, but will give some idea of the impact of each thing. Thing to remember is that it's not that long ago that 100 miles was seen as good range for just a car and driver.

@christianmarler21 2 года назад

I’ve watched the carwow review and it’s like a Top Gear ! Not very factual! I have driving EV’s for 5 years and towed with one for 2 years all year round two different caravans and weight has a very little effect on range whilst constant motorway speeds ( I have done caravan plus me and caravan plus family, food and bikes) what makes a difference is wind speed and direction! And cruising speed. I think if Andrew can get 2.2 mi/kWh should get a range of 154 miles. And should be able to charge back to 100% in under 40 minutes on HPC or 70 minutes on a 50 Kw. What would be nice to know it’s which charger are best for ev with caravans.

@roypalframan7564 2 года назад

Do the towing mirror screws hit the door when fitted on the bottom of the mirror and folding in? They certainly would on my Kia Sportage.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Yes, but Milenco Aero have rubber screws to prevent marking the door.

@monikamahon3544 2 года назад

Hi, great video. Was wondering where did you buy the towbar and the name of it please? I've been wanting one ever since I got my EV6. I didn't see it in the video links you added. Thanks

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Hi Monika, it was from the supplying Kia dealer. Thanks for watching.

@dtollemache9441 2 года назад

Give the nine pin cover a light sand with sand paper Andrew to round the edge.

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Now THAT is a good idea! Thanks very much, I shall do just that.

@watto7728 2 года назад

lots of comments below about service stations having to cater for EV caravaning, lets remember that it is only over the past few years that we get decent parking that was not by the recycling or a bit a battered tarmac in an over flow area, cant imagine they would create drive through EV outfit charging.

@brianbennett3904 2 года назад

What is the weight of the caravan in this video Andrew? Curious to know if problems on a steep hill grade? Thanks

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Hi Brian, in this vid it was weighted to about 1400kg. I've not had the chance to try a steep hill yet, but when driving the Skoda Enyaq at Millbrook last year with a 1000kg Bailey, it pulled away on the steep hill start effortlessly. I'll be doing more real world tow testing come June. Thanks for watching!

@yaminthegrey 2 года назад

Hari Om The hang up everyone has to distnace per mile needs deep rethinking as we progress to EV driving. I'm with you - knowing an average 100 miles per trip is a likely reality is that not just fine for most holidays? Any other driving in a car and caravan scenario is likely to be unhitched touring, where the distances are again extended. I am dreaming of an all EV setup in self-build panel van and praying that by next year when I might actually be able to fund such an ambition, the costs of of such vehicles might have dropped... or at least some will be appearing on the used market! YAM xx

@andrewjditton 2 года назад

Absolutely! So many people are intent on keeping their round holes instead of reconsidering the attraction of square pegs. Good luck with your vision! I love it!