Tow Cars

[wardt795]

I'm currently in for a decent tow car to pull a fairly large caravan.
The choices are sending me nuts so would like some sensible advice please.
Cars I've been considering, all between 2010 and 2014.
Range Rover Sport 3.0 (concerned about reliability)
BMW X5
VW TOUAREG
Discovery 4
Shogun LWB
I would really appreciate some advice, pros & cons and which one you would go for, even if it's none of these.
Cheers!

[Terzo123]

Jeep grand Cherokee would be a good consideration.

You'll get far more for your money than the equivalent RR, BMW, Merc etc

[wardt795]

Didn't think of that one, I will definitely give it some consideration. Thanks!

[meatballs]

Shogun is a good offroader/towing car and we have one for horse box. Cheapish maintenance and reliable. You could also throw in a land cruiser in same category, but these hold their prices much better.

But it's not refined and if you are driving long distances I'd go with the touareg or the X5.

[V8 Bob]

Got a 2012 4.4 tdv8 Range Rover, last of l232. Superb tow car 309 bhp, 516 lb ft torque. Rated at 3.5 tonnes for towing. 8;speed auto pulls like a train but capable of 30mpg running solo. Most reliable engine better than 3.0 or 3.6 tdv8.

[Lily the Pink]

My Grand Cherokee was good, but not a patch on the Range Rover Sport which replaced it and did 120,000 miles for me including lots of towing and off-road stuff. And contrary to the nay-sayers it was extremely reliable with no breakdowns or big bills other than scheduled services.

[RazerSauber]

I must've had the friday afternoon Range Rover Sport. Apart from the engine and number plates, everything else went wrong. Gearbox? Check. Suspension? Check. Wheels? Check. Drive shaft? Check. Prop shaft? Check. Power steering? Check. Electrical gremlins? Check. Economy was superb, I only ever had to drive there, The AA got me home on more than several occasions.. Wasn't as nice I wanted to believe when it did work, either.

If I was going to pick anything, I'd be tempted by the Shogun. hopefully a bit of Japanese reliability would go a long way. Is there a Land Cruiser available to suit you? They're meant to be phenomenal too.

[HocusPocus]

I have used a Mercedes ML280 for towing a 18ft powerboat and a trailer full of racing kit. Rated 3500kg and hardly notice the weight being towed, and load has always remained very stable. Reliability is OK, and it is comfy on long journeys.

[wardt795]

Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated!

[Plundy]

Please buy my Tow-rag off me - it's fabulously comfortable, smooth and quiet with tons of torque. Need to get shot cos of London emissions regs soon.