Tow car/second car

[Togneri]

Hi all,

We’re moving house/area and this will mean a drive to the train station, so we’ll need a second car. Our main is an i-pace, with the second car stepping in for:

- commute to train station - just once a week
- Tow car for c500kg track car + trailer
- Long distance runner (very occasional) for family (2 young kids + dog)

Budget £10k. This will do fairly low miles so happy with something a bit old, and ideally something relatively fun to drive.

Swaying towards an estate for the practicality, can see sub 100k bmw 330/530s and Merc C/E350s coming up at this price. Don’t really have any brand loyalty to the German makers but can’t find similar cars elsewhere?!

Any good alternatives? Very game for left field ideas, though a Forester STi with gold wheels was immediately shot down for being ‘too chavvy’.

[stevemcs]

Towing is going to be the issue and that would rule out the c clas and 3 series, I’d be looking towards a freelander but quite possibly bigger than that.

[ZX10R NIN]

Togneri said:

Hi all,

We’re moving house/area and this will mean a drive to the train station, so we’ll need a second car. Our main is an i-pace, with the second car stepping in for:

- commute to train station - just once a week
- Tow car for c500kg track car + trailer
- Long distance runner (very occasional) for family (2 young kids + dog)

Budget £10k. This will do fairly low miles so happy with something a bit old, and ideally something relatively fun to drive.

Swaying towards an estate for the practicality, can see sub 100k bmw 330/530s and Merc C/E350s coming up at this price. Don’t really have any brand loyalty to the German makers but can’t find similar cars elsewhere?!

Any good alternatives? Very game for left field ideas, though a Forester STi with gold wheels was immediately shot down for being ‘too chavvy’.

The E350cdi Sport is the pick not a fun steer but a good steer & it'll do exactly what you need:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

C350cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201041...

CLS250cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...

ML420cdi a bit of tow overkill but it means you get a V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Infinit FX these benefit from being ULEZ/CAZ compliant so any future clean air zones won't result in you having to pay a levy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201181...

EX Q5 sized version of the above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...

[HustleRussell]

stevemcs said:

Towing is going to be the issue and that would rule out the c clas and 3 series, I’d be looking towards a freelander but quite possibly bigger than that.

For a 500kg track car on a trailer? Pretty much anything can safely tow that.

[CouncilFerrari]

HustleRussell said:

For a 500kg track car on a trailer? Pretty much anything can safely tow that.

Safely, absolutely. But it's the maximum plated weight that the Police go by if they stop you. E.g 3 series towing weight 1800kg (braked), ifor williams trailer maximum plated weight is 2000kg. Doesn't matter what's on the trailer at the time, it's what it could have on the back that's the deciding factor.

[HustleRussell]

CouncilFerrari said:

HustleRussell said:

For a 500kg track car on a trailer? Pretty much anything can safely and legally tow that with the right trailer.

Safely, absolutely. But it's the maximum plated weight that the Police go by if they stop you. E.g 3 series towing weight 1800kg (braked), ifor williams trailer maximum plated weight is 2000kg. Doesn't matter what's on the trailer at the time, it's what it could have on the back that's the deciding factor.

I have edited my post above.

I hate to sound like a know it all but I have a lot of experience with this and basically know it all.

The Tare of a trailer for a 500kg payload could be as low as 350kg. The Gross can be under a ton, easily. Pretty much anything bigger than Supermini size is rated to tow a ton, braked. Tow cars I have seen legally towing 500kg cars include a Peugeot 306 and a Renaultsport Megane. There is a widely held misconception on PH that towing = SUV or AWD.

[CouncilFerrari]

HustleRussell said:

I have edited my post above.

I hate to sound like a know it all but I have a lot of experience with this and basically know it all.

The Tare of a trailer for a 500kg payload could be as low as 350kg. The Gross can be under a ton, easily. Pretty much anything bigger than Supermini size is rated to tow a ton, braked. Tow cars I have seen legally towing 500kg cars include a Peugeot 306 and a Renaultsport Megane. There is a widely held misconception on PH that towing = SUV or AWD.

No, that's really interesting. I wasn't trying to be contrary at all, in my head I always imagine those big unwieldy Ifor Williams car transporter trailers, I hadn't realised it was possible to get one that is so lightweight.

Come to think of it, I recognise your username from a thread of my own. I think you provided advice when I was after towing with my LandCruiser but couldn't in the end because of the maximum train weight. That was a few years ago though, I guess trailer tech has come on a bit.

[Paynewright]

Octavia 2.0tdi estate. I used to tow a caterham with a similar engined Superb and you didn’t know the trailer was there. More rear legroom than similar spec Leon. Non descript leave it anywhere. 4X4 versions available but as you say not necessary.

[HustleRussell]

CouncilFerrari said:

HustleRussell said:

I have edited my post above.

I hate to sound like a know it all but I have a lot of experience with this and basically know it all.

The Tare of a trailer for a 500kg payload could be as low as 350kg. The Gross can be under a ton, easily. Pretty much anything bigger than Supermini size is rated to tow a ton, braked. Tow cars I have seen legally towing 500kg cars include a Peugeot 306 and a Renaultsport Megane. There is a widely held misconception on PH that towing = SUV or AWD.

No, that's really interesting. I wasn't trying to be contrary at all, in my head I always imagine those big unwieldy Ifor Williams car transporter trailers, I hadn't realised it was possible to get one that is so lightweight.

Come to think of it, I recognise your username from a thread of my own. I think you provided advice when I was after towing with my LandCruiser but couldn't in the end because of the maximum train weight. That was a few years ago though, I guess trailer tech has come on a bit.

Cheers

I’m sorry to be so oblique. I always come out strong on this because of what I view to be a widely held misconception about what is needed.

My own personal dislike of big heavy cars and especially SUVs contributes. I hate the idea that somebody might want a car which treads lightly but feels compelled to buy an SUV etc for towing when it isn’t necessary.

BJT must’ve churned out tens of thousands of trailers in the ‘1,000’ range over the years- they’ve a one ton payload and are ~1,350kg MAM. Other manufacturers have joined the party.

Also you can simply reduce the MAM / Gross weight of a trailer. All you are doing is committing not to exceed that new reduced Gross.

Of course a horse box is very heavy so you do need a big car. Caravans have quite a high centre of gravity and are susceptible to wind so weight in the tow car is more important- but honestly a small car on a small trailer is a lovely thing to tow.

[Togneri]

ZX10R NIN said:

The E350cdi Sport is the pick not a fun steer but a good steer & it'll do exactly what you need…

Very thorough - thank you! Any reason for the mercs over the equivalent BMWs? The 350 does look very good though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Togneri said:

Very thorough - thank you! Any reason for the mercs over the equivalent BMWs? The 350 does look very good though.

No particular reason but I've found BMW's seem to have the odd niggly issue whereas Mercedes seem to be less niggly the BMW's drive better in terms of fun but the Mercedes are the better everyday car both are good options.

[georgeyboy12345]

These are all ULEZ compliant

Diesels

BMW 330d Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110289...


Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI vRS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201061...


Peugeot 308 SW BlueHDI GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112300...


Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108236...


Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI Ultra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...



Interesting petrols

Audi S4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...


Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...


VW Passat Variant W8 4Motion
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

[Snow and Rocks]

CouncilFerrari said:

Safely, absolutely. But it's the maximum plated weight that the Police go by if they stop you. E.g 3 series towing weight 1800kg (braked), ifor williams trailer maximum plated weight is 2000kg. Doesn't matter what's on the trailer at the time, it's what it could have on the back that's the deciding factor.

This is a common misconception I'm afraid. It's perfectly legal to tow a trailer with any plated weight as long as the actual weight is within the car's rated weight. Even with a 3 series you mention you can legally tow a 3500kg rated trailer as long as it's actual weight doesn't exceed 1800kg.

See this from the government website.