3-4K for a towcar?
Discussion
Hi guys,
After some of the experience of PH.
I've got 3-4K to spend on a tow car, to potentially tow a smallish caravan (Under 1000kg).
At the moment I'm thinking a 2.2 TDCI MK3 Mondeo ST, but am finding quite a lot of horror stories about injectors on mondeos.
What would you guys go for? Decentish MPG would be nice too as it'll be doing some long hauls on holidays.
(Don't worry, theres a fun car in the garage still
)
After some of the experience of PH.
I've got 3-4K to spend on a tow car, to potentially tow a smallish caravan (Under 1000kg).
At the moment I'm thinking a 2.2 TDCI MK3 Mondeo ST, but am finding quite a lot of horror stories about injectors on mondeos.
What would you guys go for? Decentish MPG would be nice too as it'll be doing some long hauls on holidays.
(Don't worry, theres a fun car in the garage still
)
In my experience, you ideally you want something heavy and not FWD; with a torque-converter gearbox so you don't destroy the clutch. Maybe a diesel 5-series or E-class (if you can find one without any rust). Or something Lexusish or a Quattro Audi, I suppose.
The alternative is obviously an SUV, but that would mean you had to drive an SUV.
The alternative is obviously an SUV, but that would mean you had to drive an SUV.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 22 April 20:46
EddyP said:
Anyone done much towing with a MKIV Golf? or Octavia?
I use the OH's mk2 Octavia VRS petrol to tow a small trailer (usually around half a tonne, sometimes up to around 750kg) quite a lot and it copes fine in general. The big difference with a caravan is how badly cross-winds catch them, though; the Octavis is quite a light car to tow with so cross-winds might be an issue. Traction can be a bit of a problem on steep hills in the wet if the trailer is loaded a bit nose-heavy and the boot is full.
ETA: I've just looked it up and the Octavia is rated to tow 1800kg! I really wouldn't fancy that.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 22 April 22:53
Sod the MPG.As said before 1000kg is a very light van and 4x4 certainly isn't a must. I've towed a 1200kg RIB behind an octavia estate with no problems.
Passat, Mondeo etc will all be more than up to the job though RWD would be a benifit, I'd be tempted by an E46 3 Series touring. You could get a very nice one for 4k.
Passat, Mondeo etc will all be more than up to the job though RWD would be a benifit, I'd be tempted by an E46 3 Series touring. You could get a very nice one for 4k.
My parents have just bought a Hyundai Tucson for my mum to pootle around in plus a few tows of the caravan.
They used it for the first time last Week and my dad said it was spot on. They picked or up for about 3.5k on an 05 top spec but it's not very quick with or without a van on the back!
They used it for the first time last Week and my dad said it was spot on. They picked or up for about 3.5k on an 05 top spec but it's not very quick with or without a van on the back!
Any Focus sized car and above with a 1.8+ diesel engine will tow a sub 1000kg caravan.
You don't need to be looking for 4x4's or big diesels.
I tow a 1420kg caravan with a 2.0 diesel Avensis and it copes very well.
The Octavia is a good towcar with the 1.9TDi engine.
The Golf would be ok as well.
Infact any VAG car with the 130bhp engine would be fine.
My Dad used to tow a similar sized caravan with a MOndeo 130 TDCi and it was more than man enough for the job.
Only issue he had was the dreaded DMF but that was it in over 4 years of ownership and 40k miles.
You don't need to be looking for 4x4's or big diesels.
I tow a 1420kg caravan with a 2.0 diesel Avensis and it copes very well.
The Octavia is a good towcar with the 1.9TDi engine.
The Golf would be ok as well.
Infact any VAG car with the 130bhp engine would be fine.
My Dad used to tow a similar sized caravan with a MOndeo 130 TDCi and it was more than man enough for the job.
Only issue he had was the dreaded DMF but that was it in over 4 years of ownership and 40k miles.
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