Anyone tow with an EV? HELP!

[JapanRed]

Hi all,

We have a twin axle caravan weighing 1765kg which we tow with a 2018 Q7. We really like the Q7 but it’s now done 90k miles and have been half thinking of swapping. We’ve just been offered my dads 2023 BMW IX50 for £43k (he paid £115k 2 years ago and I doubt he’s ever drove it faster than 60mph). Cheapest similar car but with less spec and more miles that I can find is £55k.

Obviously I’m using every ounce of man maths to make this work but my issue is towing range. Day to day driving he gets 350+ miles but I’ve read reviews saying as low as 100 miles and as high as 200 when towing a large caravan.

Does anyone have any real world advice they could give?

Thanks in advance.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Daft question.

Is it possible to get a towbar fitted & test it for yourself?

[jonathan_roberts]

Energy consumption on the Model Y we have when I borrowed a large box trailer went from around 3.3 mi/kWh without to 1.9-2 mi/kWh.

So around 35% less miles. No experience with iX though.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..I've no idea how much that might cost

[IJWS15]

Keep the Q7!

[Badda]

If it’s genuinely got 10kmofmprofit in it, buy it and sell it.

[Sheepshanks]

Does this https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/blog/product-and-out... help?

Is the car prepped for towing?

[x type]

https://www.carsguide.com.au/bmw/i-series/ix/towin...

any help ?

[dave_s13]

Lovely car but I don't think an EV yet exists that can tow a caravan in a way that's practical.

You can't realistically charge en-route to your site, unless you can unhitch and plug in. I'd be constantly worried the van would go missing, if you can find a spot + hassle.

Sites don't seem to support ev charging so you'd have to pitch up, get everything sort d then go find a charge. Rather than cracking open a beer...massive pita.

Money might be better spent on upgrade. Audi SQ7 might be fun?

[JapanRed]

Thanks everyone.

I’ve spent the last few hours researching and come to the conclusion that although it would be a brilliant car for 300 days per year (and a genuine bargain), it wouldn’t make sense when we go away with the caravan. We go to France every summer for 3 weeks plus usually 2-3 other trips and I just can’t make 150 miles range, plus the aforementioned problem of potentially needing to unhitch each time, work.

I’ve turned the car down. Test drove the SQ7 when we bought this and although they were a very similar price on the used market, it didn’t seem much faster in the real world, not to justify the extra cost in fuel anyway.

[h0b0]

I kept my petrol SUV for those couple of days a year I need it. I drive my EV the rest of the time.

[Simon_GH]

I’m pretty sure Harry Metcalfe posted a video on towing with an EV a couple of months ago. Might be worth hunting down on YouTube. It’s not your exact car but I imagine it’s a decent enough indicator.

[ChocolateFrog]

You can half the real world range and you won't be far off.

[mids]

OP has already decided but I'll post my experience anyway for anyone else reading the thread and considering it.

I tow a 2 berth (MTPLM 1350kg) with a Tesla Model Y LR and get 1.8 miles per kWh, driving at 60mph where possible.

I just got back today from a long weekend away. The Tesla makes a great tow car so long as you're ok with the range limitations. I'm new to caravanning so will just be visiting sites in England this year and the Tesla is fine for that. If I decide I'm enjoying it and plan to go further afield into Europe, I'll have a rethink.

[oblio]

Can I ask what arrangements the campsite had for recharging the car?

I've seen signs saying not to plug it into service bollards.


Also are there many 'pull through' charging points at motorway services if you are towing? Presumably it could be more than a pain if you had to unhitch before charging?

[stevemcs]

oblio said:

Can I ask what arrangements the campsite had for recharging the car?

I've seen signs saying not to plug it into service bollards.


Also are there many 'pull through' charging points at motorway services if you are towing? Presumably it could be more than a pain if you had to unhitch before charging?

You find campsites either have dedicated charge points, or you have to connect to your caravan with a 3 pin plug.

[mids]

oblio said:

Can I ask what arrangements the campsite had for recharging the car?

I've seen signs saying not to plug it into service bollards.


Also are there many 'pull through' charging points at motorway services if you are towing? Presumably it could be more than a pain if you had to unhitch before charging?

Sorry, I'm not really the right person to ask because, for my first year at least, I don't plan on going further than the range limit of my car so I won't be charging en-route.

There is a google map being compiled of caravan friendly EV charge points : https://maps.app.goo.gl/5N33a43JLPJa2m4R6

There are also a couple of good facebook groups for caravan owners using EV tow cars (better than it sounds )

[Truckosaurus]

I suspect EV Caravanning currently only works if you are the type of camper who goes out and about in the tow car during the days rather than just hanging about at the site. Then there's plenty of opportunities for public charging mid-trip.