Tow vehicle for 2500kgs.

[Huntsman]

It looks like I need to tow a boat about 2000kgs plus 500kgs of trailer. Actually I think it's a bit less, but max 2500kgs.

I have had my licence since 1988 so no issues with groups.

Budget £4k.

Fuel consumption doesn't matter to me.

I'd rather avoid something that is likely to suffer faults and breakdowns every 10 minutes (I'm looking at you L322...)

Doesn't need to be 4wd, but we do live very rural, there is a lot of mud and water on our roads, but little snow and ice.

Suggestions?

[ZX10R NIN]

Jeep Grand Cherokee

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...

R320cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...

E320cdi Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

VW Phaeton

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...

300C

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

[ZX10R NIN]

Jeep Grand Cherokee

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...

R320cdi this car makes a lot of sense lots of space & a proven drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...

E320cdi Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

VW Phaeton

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...

300C

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

[Mammasaid]

Japanese tick
4wd tick
Pulls 2500kg easily tick

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?postcode=W...

[snowandrocks]

Although there are obviously 2WD vehicles rated to tow 2500kg I think you're better sticking to 4x4s.

From experience of occasionally towing a heavy trailer with a van, if you venture onto any slightly loose or slippery surface it gets stuck. Even a steep hill combined with wet greasy tarmac will have you struggling to get going.

Low box and 4x4 just make everything so much easier and less stressful especially if you're going to venture onto slipways to launch.

[Walter Sobchak]

Landcruiser Colarado.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mammasaid said:

Japanese tick
4wd tick
Pulls 2500kg easily tick

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?postcode=W...

That'll be working extremely hard towing 2500kgs, due to the lack of torque.

The 4WD R320cdi above ticks a lot more boxes.

[exelero]

Walter Sobchak said:

Landcruiser Colarado.

I don’t think you can get a land cruiser for 4 grand

[HocusPocus]

First time you try to recover a 2t boat on a mildly damp slipway in a 2wd car (especially if fwd) you will wish for a 4x4. I use a ML for my boat towing and don't mind dunking the wheels in the water.

[Mammasaid]

ZX10R NIN said:

Mammasaid said:

Japanese tick
4wd tick
Pulls 2500kg easily tick

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?postcode=W...

That'll be working extremely hard towing 2500kgs, due to the lack of torque.

The 4WD R320cdi above ticks a lot more boxes.

Eleventy billion farmers can't be wrong. Have driven numerous L200s over the years and they'll pull a full cattle trailer no issues. I can't see a 2500kg boat being any problem.

[ZX10R NIN]

I didn't say it couldn't do it but it'd be working harder than an engine with more torque & power.

Why so defensive?

[Mammasaid]

ZX10R NIN said:

I didn't say it couldn't do it but it'd be working harder than an engine with more torque & power.

Why so defensive?

No offence taken, just the voice of experience

If wager however that the L200 would be cheaper to run than the Merc. And if they are launching off a slipway, low range would be useful.

[Huntsman]

Thanks chaps.

By chance today I drove a beaten up old HiLux, what a lovely beast!

I do think I need something with the mass off of proper chassis and 4wd.

[stevemcs]

Hardtop version of the Navara although the 2.5 does have issues..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...


=w1a1aa&radius=1500&price-from=3000&sort=relevance&price-to=4000&make=NISSAN&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

Good value for money but getting hold of parts can be a challenge

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

The L200's are not bad but i'd also consider the Ford Ranger

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...


There are also Discovery's, mechanically the Disco 2 is good but they can and do rust.

Being able to tow 2t is one thing, controlling it and stopping it is something else.

[Walter Sobchak]

exelero said:

I don’t think you can get a land cruiser for 4 grand

A Colarado you can, and some change, you’re probably thinking of the Amazon, which no, you can’t.