Car to tow a caravan, daily commute and not be naff

[Flashgordonsalive]

Probably been around the houses this one, but if i want a car to tow a caravan, daily drive of 36 miles. Look good, not be boring, be an auto, and return a decentish MPG what would you look at?

Ive checked RRs, Touregs, X5 all look good, the 20 Mpg scares me and the reliabilty of the RRs also make me think avoid, i just love them.

Any thoughts?

[Deerfoot]

Flashgordonsalive said:

Any thoughts?

Budget?

Weight of caravan?

[durbster]

I'm in a similar predicament and can't really settle on a satisfying solution. I keep toying with the idea of getting a cheap donkey to do the towing, and then something fun for the commute but can't really justify it.

I've looked at a load of estates but I keep coming back to the Mazda CX-5, partly because I have a real soft spot for Mazda due to owning an MX-5 for years.

They're supposed to be fun to drive (not tried one yet), the Skyactiv stuff means it's relatively light so performance and economy is OK, and there's a 175bhp one that shouldn't have much trouble towing.

Any other suggestions are welcome because this one's been annoying me for months.

[ZX10R NIN]

Depending on budget & weight of the caravan:

Kia Sorento KX3/4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Jeep Cherokee Overland

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[oldcynic]

It depends on the size and weight of caravan, and also what else you’re expecting from the car. We’ve got a relatively lightweight twin axle ( about 1350kg, up to 1600kg fully laden or thereabouts) but I found our 2003 v70 felt somewhat overwhelmed by pulling it, despite being well within towing limits.

We’ve now had a 2011 xc90 for four years and I love it - best family car I’ve found even when carrying 7 of us. I don’t like the tax bill of over £300 or the economy sitting around 24mpg around Milton Keynes but it’s been generally reliable with only midrange bills. It’s also a great towcar, and the auto box makes manoeuvring much easier. The v70 is now our ‘small’ car and still running well at just under 200000 miles.

[Flashgordonsalive]

My weighs in at 1430kg fully laden. Bit of a big lad but only two birth.

My Skoda Octavia estate seemed to do ok, just fancy something a little taller, but then again i fancy a two seater.

i did try and pursuade the wife to get a sorrento for her, and a 350z or Bosxter (can spell it)

[oop north]

Over the last 20 years, I have towed a car trailer, caravan and cattle trailer (not at the same time!) with 1998 vw golf, 1997 merc c250td, Audi A6 (1995 2.5d and 2007 2.7d), a couple of bmw e39 5 series, two Subaru Outbacks (2008 diesel and 2009 3.0 petrol), 2004 Volvo XC90 and 2010 disco 4. The disco was by far the best but the 2007 A6 2.7 did very well indeed. So if you want to avoid a high rise 4x4, a merc e class, Audi A6 or bmw 5 series will do the job v well indeed and is the sensible option. But the bigger, heavier and more powerful the tow car the less you will notice what’s on the back of it

[snake_oil]

As long as the car exceeds the weight of the caravan you will be ok. The more the better - so go for a car 1600kgs-ish plus.

After that - get what you want. Anything will tow. You could get a nice V8 and ok the mpg won't be great towing - but how often will you be towing really?

[Flashgordonsalive]

Deerfoot said:

Budget?

Weight of caravan?

Budget less than 10k

Weight 1430.

Would a RRs or Full fat for less than 10k be a mistake?

[SebastienClement]

Volvo XC90?

[snake_oil]

Flashgordonsalive said:

not be boring and return a decentish MPG

OK.

Flashgordonsalive said:

Would a RRs or Full fat for less than 10k be a mistake?

[Super Slo Mo]

I’ve towed with several cars over the years, including a Discovery II and a V70.
Currently I have a 2009 model E320 CDi which is actually a really good tow car.
It’s heavy, circa 1900Kg unladen, so is very stable with a caravan on. Enough power too.

Mpg while towing isn’t great, around 21 mpg, but it will achieve high 30’s to 40 when solo on the motorway.

[Flashgordonsalive]

Think I new the answer that RRs quesion but didnt want to hear.

Looking at Mercs i did look at the ML those seem a good buy.

And the VW toureg v6 TDi.