Needed: Towing vehicle
Discussion
Guys,
I am in a pickle and need a hand.
A friend needs to move a large boat from Staffordshire to next Portsmouth next weekend. He's very capable but has asked me to help.
The boat is around 1800kg, the trailer probably another 500kg. All in weight of 2.5tonnes or so.
We had a Discovery lined up to do the job but it broke last week. We need a replacement vehicle. Most cars will tow up to around 900kg, some heavier ones will make it to 1800kg but more than 1800kg and the options are a bit more limited. Bigger 4x4's would be capable, some larger transit-type vans would also be suitable.
First question: I have tried a couple of local hire companies who have said that they don't hire vehicles with tow bars due to 'insurance reasons'. (A bit more chat with the proprietor of one strongly suggested that the real reason was clutch wear and 'insurance' was an easier excuse). I'm about to spend the rest of the morning calling as many hire companies as I can but does anyone know a company who does hire out heavier vehicles with tow bars?
Second question: If any very obliging PH-er happened to have a vehicle which could help us then we'd be very happy to have a chat with you. We'd cover the insurance, fuel and a contribution to wear and tear. If you were near to Portsmouth, Cheltenham or Staffordshire that would be particularly helpful but not essential. However I am quite aware that a random someone popping up on an internet site asking for the keys to what could be quite an expensive vehicle is looking at some pretty long odds.
All assistance very welcome. Thank you.
I am in a pickle and need a hand.
A friend needs to move a large boat from Staffordshire to next Portsmouth next weekend. He's very capable but has asked me to help.
The boat is around 1800kg, the trailer probably another 500kg. All in weight of 2.5tonnes or so.
We had a Discovery lined up to do the job but it broke last week. We need a replacement vehicle. Most cars will tow up to around 900kg, some heavier ones will make it to 1800kg but more than 1800kg and the options are a bit more limited. Bigger 4x4's would be capable, some larger transit-type vans would also be suitable.
First question: I have tried a couple of local hire companies who have said that they don't hire vehicles with tow bars due to 'insurance reasons'. (A bit more chat with the proprietor of one strongly suggested that the real reason was clutch wear and 'insurance' was an easier excuse). I'm about to spend the rest of the morning calling as many hire companies as I can but does anyone know a company who does hire out heavier vehicles with tow bars?
Second question: If any very obliging PH-er happened to have a vehicle which could help us then we'd be very happy to have a chat with you. We'd cover the insurance, fuel and a contribution to wear and tear. If you were near to Portsmouth, Cheltenham or Staffordshire that would be particularly helpful but not essential. However I am quite aware that a random someone popping up on an internet site asking for the keys to what could be quite an expensive vehicle is looking at some pretty long odds.
All assistance very welcome. Thank you.
2Btoo said:
Guys,
I am in a pickle and need a hand.
A friend needs to move a large boat from Staffordshire to next Portsmouth next weekend. He's very capable but has asked me to help.
The boat is around 1800kg, the trailer probably another 500kg. All in weight of 2.5tonnes or so.
We had a Discovery lined up to do the job but it broke last week. We need a replacement vehicle. Most cars will tow up to around 900kg, some heavier ones will make it to 1800kg but more than 1800kg and the options are a bit more limited. Bigger 4x4's would be capable, some larger transit-type vans would also be suitable.
First question: I have tried a couple of local hire companies who have said that they don't hire vehicles with tow bars due to 'insurance reasons'. (A bit more chat with the proprietor of one strongly suggested that the real reason was clutch wear and 'insurance' was an easier excuse). I'm about to spend the rest of the morning calling as many hire companies as I can but does anyone know a company who does hire out heavier vehicles with tow bars?
Second question: If any very obliging PH-er happened to have a vehicle which could help us then we'd be very happy to have a chat with you. We'd cover the insurance, fuel and a contribution to wear and tear. If you were near to Portsmouth, Cheltenham or Staffordshire that would be particularly helpful but not essential. However I am quite aware that a random someone popping up on an internet site asking for the keys to what could be quite an expensive vehicle is looking at some pretty long odds.
All assistance very welcome. Thank you.
I'd imagine renting a pickup would be the easiest short term solution?I am in a pickle and need a hand.
A friend needs to move a large boat from Staffordshire to next Portsmouth next weekend. He's very capable but has asked me to help.
The boat is around 1800kg, the trailer probably another 500kg. All in weight of 2.5tonnes or so.
We had a Discovery lined up to do the job but it broke last week. We need a replacement vehicle. Most cars will tow up to around 900kg, some heavier ones will make it to 1800kg but more than 1800kg and the options are a bit more limited. Bigger 4x4's would be capable, some larger transit-type vans would also be suitable.
First question: I have tried a couple of local hire companies who have said that they don't hire vehicles with tow bars due to 'insurance reasons'. (A bit more chat with the proprietor of one strongly suggested that the real reason was clutch wear and 'insurance' was an easier excuse). I'm about to spend the rest of the morning calling as many hire companies as I can but does anyone know a company who does hire out heavier vehicles with tow bars?
Second question: If any very obliging PH-er happened to have a vehicle which could help us then we'd be very happy to have a chat with you. We'd cover the insurance, fuel and a contribution to wear and tear. If you were near to Portsmouth, Cheltenham or Staffordshire that would be particularly helpful but not essential. However I am quite aware that a random someone popping up on an internet site asking for the keys to what could be quite an expensive vehicle is looking at some pretty long odds.
All assistance very welcome. Thank you.
Guys,
Thanks for the answers.
Alex at Lizard is a good idea but I suspect quite a lot more expensive to pay someone to do the work than to DIY it.
Skodalan - thanks. I'll try Harfords.
Vaud - thanks. It's a private sale and we're trying to move the thing the length of the country.
Tom8 - How do I get in touch with such people? Shine a BatSignal into the sky, perhaps?
Thanks for the answers.
Alex at Lizard is a good idea but I suspect quite a lot more expensive to pay someone to do the work than to DIY it.
Skodalan - thanks. I'll try Harfords.
Vaud - thanks. It's a private sale and we're trying to move the thing the length of the country.
Tom8 - How do I get in touch with such people? Shine a BatSignal into the sky, perhaps?
Had exactly this same issue last week collecting a boat. Rented a Hilux from UDrive who were happy to rent with tow bar, towing insurance and spare numberplate for the trailer. Looks like they’re UK-wide I’d definitely give them a call.
https://www.u-drive.co.uk/
https://www.u-drive.co.uk/
BMW 5 series and some other cars do 2000kg towing (not relevant to your dilemma) and the smaller transit customs vans are 2900kg if I recall correctly. Not that this will help you if the hire places are being funny.
I've rented 4x4's to tow before and it was ok with some places and not others.
Dunc.
I've rented 4x4's to tow before and it was ok with some places and not others.
Dunc.
Nearly every Discovery 4 has a removable towbar, the others have the permanent fixed ones, I'm not too sure around Discovery 5s as they seem to move more RR than LR...
Another option would be to enquire on the Disco3 forum, a lot of very handy (& helpful) people on there.
Is there an option to delay the collection by a week and get the Discovery repaired?
God luck
Another option would be to enquire on the Disco3 forum, a lot of very handy (& helpful) people on there.
Is there an option to delay the collection by a week and get the Discovery repaired?
God luck
Guys,
Thanks for the help. It's all very much appreciated.
As it is we've found someone with an X5 who has provided a very good quote to collect and deliver the boat. It's going to be cheaper for him to do the collection and delivery than it will be for us to hire a vehicle, pay for the fuel and pay for accommodation for an overnight stop. He's also assuming all the risk of things going wrong. All in all, it's a very good option and we're probably going to go for it.
Thanks anyway. Paying someone to do the work for you is not very exciting and we'll miss out on what could have been a fun road trip, but this looks like the way to go.
Thanks for the help. It's all very much appreciated.
As it is we've found someone with an X5 who has provided a very good quote to collect and deliver the boat. It's going to be cheaper for him to do the collection and delivery than it will be for us to hire a vehicle, pay for the fuel and pay for accommodation for an overnight stop. He's also assuming all the risk of things going wrong. All in all, it's a very good option and we're probably going to go for it.
Thanks anyway. Paying someone to do the work for you is not very exciting and we'll miss out on what could have been a fun road trip, but this looks like the way to go.
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