Economical towing vehicle?
Discussion
Need a car to do some towing with, but it needs to be economical for day to day driving (when not towing).
It will be towing a twin axled car trailer with up to around 2T of car on it.
Was going to go for a Land Rover of some sorts as an obvious choice, but are there any others that would be up to the job but cheaper to run?
Would like something fairly smart too if possible.
I've a friend with a Rav 4 for example, he can get 40-50mpg, though I don't know if it would be up to the towing task.
Any help appreciated.
Cheers
It will be towing a twin axled car trailer with up to around 2T of car on it.
Was going to go for a Land Rover of some sorts as an obvious choice, but are there any others that would be up to the job but cheaper to run?
Would like something fairly smart too if possible.
I've a friend with a Rav 4 for example, he can get 40-50mpg, though I don't know if it would be up to the towing task.
Any help appreciated.
Cheers
Will it be your only car? If it's not, a Daihatsu Fourtrak tows very well and they are very cheap to buy.
Watch out for rust!! If you find a good one they're indestructible.
Fuel economy leaves something to be desired (mainly economy), but whatever you use when towing will be on the thirsty side.
Watch out for rust!! If you find a good one they're indestructible.
Fuel economy leaves something to be desired (mainly economy), but whatever you use when towing will be on the thirsty side.
Whats the budget?
My Alhambra has a max. towing weight of 2000kg, maybe there are MPV's out their with 2500kg limit?
However, as well as it tows our 1500kg caravan (and does nearly 30 mpg if I take it easy) I wouldn't want to tow upto the max. limit with it.
I'm picking up a XC90 next week and expect it to do mid 20's towing and (very) low 30's solo.
Just looking on Parkers and the XC90 has a limit of 2250kg, not huge for a 4x4 so thats out of the equation for you.
A Disco might be your best bet.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
My Alhambra has a max. towing weight of 2000kg, maybe there are MPV's out their with 2500kg limit?
However, as well as it tows our 1500kg caravan (and does nearly 30 mpg if I take it easy) I wouldn't want to tow upto the max. limit with it.
I'm picking up a XC90 next week and expect it to do mid 20's towing and (very) low 30's solo.
Just looking on Parkers and the XC90 has a limit of 2250kg, not huge for a 4x4 so thats out of the equation for you.
A Disco might be your best bet.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
To be honest I wouldn't use anything short of a heavy 4x4 for pulling that much weight.
You really don't want to be towing with something that "barely" copes as it gives very little margin when things go wrong.
If you don't want a land rover try looking up some yank pickups on LPG
You really don't want to be towing with something that "barely" copes as it gives very little margin when things go wrong.
If you don't want a land rover try looking up some yank pickups on LPG
Edited by jbi on Thursday 26th April 12:33
doogz said:
TBH, I'm not too sure, i just know a guy that bought a 3.5T Transit effort recently, he's a mechanic and owns a small garage, being able to recover cars to his place is getting him a lot more work, but he only paid about £3k i think, for the vehicle. No idea what they cost to run though.
Have you looked into/considered the need for a tachograph? I'm not entirely sure if you'll need one, some on here will know though, R0G definitely will.
Over 50km from base you'll need a tacho:-Have you looked into/considered the need for a tachograph? I'm not entirely sure if you'll need one, some on here will know though, R0G definitely will.
http://www.yourroadrisk.co.uk/2009/01/30/towing-tr...
Using a Transit to tow you'll need an O licence as well.
It's not as simple as it used to be.
Fittster said:
Can you hire decent tow vehicles? I might need to start towing a small yacht and I don't really want a 4x4 so I can tow twice a year.
SHB - 4x4 hire. They are mostly for construction use so they all have towballs and electrics. They will usually have an extra number plate too! Paddy_N_Murphy said:
MikeOxlong said:
Looking for economical Tow car
thenMikeOxlong said:
Budget isn't too important, at the moment I'm swinging towards a range rover sport.
Cheers
TBH our (yes other end of spectrum) Trooper gets more of less the same mileage driving around with or without a trailer / horse in the back.....Cheers
Passed my test after 97 but have done my trailer test. What a load of cock that is.
I'll look into the tachos of a van. Would it require a special license? Would it still count as towing if something is on the back?
Cheers
GreatGranny said:
Whats the budget?
My Alhambra has a max. towing weight of 2000kg, maybe there are MPV's out their with 2500kg limit?
However, as well as it tows our 1500kg caravan (and does nearly 30 mpg if I take it easy) I wouldn't want to tow upto the max. limit with it.
I'm picking up a XC90 next week and expect it to do mid 20's towing and (very) low 30's solo.
Just looking on Parkers and the XC90 has a limit of 2250kg, not huge for a 4x4 so thats out of the equation for you.
A Disco might be your best bet.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
that disco looks nice!My Alhambra has a max. towing weight of 2000kg, maybe there are MPV's out their with 2500kg limit?
However, as well as it tows our 1500kg caravan (and does nearly 30 mpg if I take it easy) I wouldn't want to tow upto the max. limit with it.
I'm picking up a XC90 next week and expect it to do mid 20's towing and (very) low 30's solo.
Just looking on Parkers and the XC90 has a limit of 2250kg, not huge for a 4x4 so thats out of the equation for you.
A Disco might be your best bet.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
you wouldn't get 30 out of that though i assume, even taking it easy not towing.
we tow an events trailer at weekends - currently using a camry which copes surprisingly well. Far from ideal though, something like that landy would be far betterer.
eta. just looked at the wiki. 25mpg ish.
Edited by scdan4 on Thursday 26th April 14:10
doogz said:
Buy a cheap flatbed transporter?
Could probably pick something up for not much more than you'd spend on a decent trailer, then spend the money you would have spent on a thirsty 4x4, on a more appropriate (faster) car
This would be my answer also - rent it out or collect cars for others to offset the cost of a second vehicle! Could probably pick something up for not much more than you'd spend on a decent trailer, then spend the money you would have spent on a thirsty 4x4, on a more appropriate (faster) car
KevinA3DSG32 said:
sunbeam alpine said:
Will it be your only car? If it's not, a Daihatsu Fourtrak tows very well and they are very cheap to buy.
Not to tow 2+ tonnes though.ETA: Although probably not very chic.
Edited by sunbeam alpine on Thursday 26th April 17:01
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