Best Engine to tow a horse and box

[oldaudi]

Hi
Which engine is the best to tow a horse and box in the VW/Audi range about 2006 to 2010?

I have a need for a 3rd car to tow and I've looked at Discovery 3 etc but their repair bills put me off. I have a very good Audi garage near me that's been servicing my cars for 10 years or so and this is making me lean towards an A6 or A4 Avant. It will only be used during the summer months and Ill use it now and then to keep it alive over the rest of the year.

Is the 2.7 and 3.0 TDI versions in quattro versions the best to go for or will a 2.0 TDi or petrol be enough do you think?

Thanks

[Depthhoar]

VW Touareg V10 Tdi

[SuperchargedVR6]

Given how slow horsey people drive, a 2.0 ought to be plenty.

[Animal]

From my experience you'll want at least a 2.7, although the bigger consideration is the towing capacity/max braking weight. A Q7 will probably be 2,800kg, which would be enough for a small trailer.

[AQRS2]

The longer the wheel base the more stable and safe the towing platform, I'd use an A6 3.0 TDI or 4.2 Quattro. Lots of grunt so the engine won't be super stressed.

[Dr G]

Agree, facelift (09 on) A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro. Awesome things and very long lived. A8 of similar vintage is also an excellent car but the added complexity may mean slightly higher running costs long term (but again, the overall quality was very high).

[Mr Gearchange]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Given how slow horsey people drive, a 2.0 ought to be plenty.

This.
But a 3.0TDi will haul you and the box up steep hills more easily.

One of those Q7 V12TDi's if you are want to pin horsey to the back door as you leave the stables

[cptsideways]

I'd suggest to check the towing capacities of suggested options. A horsebox is 500kg minimum more like 650-700kg if its a twin axle, add a horse anything from 250kg to 450kg for a big'n wobbling about & with tack and stuff your looking at bordering 1500kg add another horse and your looking at 2000kg.


There is a reason 4x4's are used, towing limits and few cars will be suitable. Though a 2.0 tdi will pull one fine its not that you should be concerned about as you won't be going anywhere quickly with half a ton of wobbling kicking dobbin on board.


For those who don't do horses, they are not strapped in, they just stand up in their box & bump around. Some will splay their legs but most just kick & neigh at every corner or slight change in speed. That's if you can get them in the damn thing in the first place!


Stoopid animals

[anonymous-user]

cptsideways said:

For those who don't do horses, they are not strapped in, they just stand up in their box & bump around. Some will splay their legs but most just kick & neigh at every corner or slight change in speed. That's if you can get them in the damn thing in the first place!

Stoopid animals

This did make me laugh, we get lots of the horsey set around with the horse trials but you do see some locals taking their horses for walk, one rider and half a dozen horses on a rope strung about behind them. Some of the riders appear as stupid as the horses, no hi-viz jacket, out at dusk in dark clothing on a dark horse..

[SuperchargedVR6]

Mr Gearchange said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Given how slow horsey people drive, a 2.0 ought to be plenty.

This.
But a 3.0TDi will haul you and the box up steep hills more easily.

One of those Q7 V12TDi's if you are want to pin horsey to the back door as you leave the stables

A remapped 2.0 CR TDI dishes out heap big torque whilst still being a reliable fuel sipper.

The bigger engines are nice, but with added complexity, weight, and running costs. You really would need a swimming pool full of surplus cash to entertain the idea of a Q7 V12.....but if horsey people can afford horses and horsey things......

I still have an entire Q7 wiring harness at home......which was ripped out of a new one and replaced due to an impossible to trace wiring fault. That's Q7 ownership for you. Hideous obnoxious money pits.