Estate, 4x4 or Van for towing?
Discussion
Towing a race car, are the meets all at major tracks on tarmac or are they going to be club events where the assembly areas are often grass?
A 4x4 is a good towing vehicle but a van is a good idea. Downside is the Van is no fun to drive when you aren't towing vs some other tow cars/4x4's.
A 4x4 is a good towing vehicle but a van is a good idea. Downside is the Van is no fun to drive when you aren't towing vs some other tow cars/4x4's.
From personal experience:
Van insurance can be quite pricey compared to car insurance depending on your circumstances, even non commercial/business type insurance
When you own a van all your family and friends think its fair game to either borrow it or expect you to collect things, this becomes rather tedious after a while
If it's sitting on your drive unused most of the week then members of the travelling community will call round at least once a week asking if the van is for sale, and not taking no for an answer "go on ye must have a price, cash mate no messing around"
You can't really use it as a car especially round town. This mightn't seem like an issue but it just serves to limit its usefulness and makes it seem more of an extravagance especially where SWMBO is concerned.
Also re SWMBO - she won't like having it parked at the house unless you have somewhere out of the way for it.
Estates and 4x4s can be used as a proper second car if needs be, so will have added value out of the box.
My money would be on a 4x4 as in most cases they will trounce the car for towing weight and be a far more relaxed less stressful tow after a hard days racing.
Also a 4x4 would pay for itself as a proper winter car if we get proper snow this year!
Van insurance can be quite pricey compared to car insurance depending on your circumstances, even non commercial/business type insurance
When you own a van all your family and friends think its fair game to either borrow it or expect you to collect things, this becomes rather tedious after a while
If it's sitting on your drive unused most of the week then members of the travelling community will call round at least once a week asking if the van is for sale, and not taking no for an answer "go on ye must have a price, cash mate no messing around"
You can't really use it as a car especially round town. This mightn't seem like an issue but it just serves to limit its usefulness and makes it seem more of an extravagance especially where SWMBO is concerned.
Also re SWMBO - she won't like having it parked at the house unless you have somewhere out of the way for it.
Estates and 4x4s can be used as a proper second car if needs be, so will have added value out of the box.
My money would be on a 4x4 as in most cases they will trounce the car for towing weight and be a far more relaxed less stressful tow after a hard days racing.
Also a 4x4 would pay for itself as a proper winter car if we get proper snow this year!
Big old cheap RWD estate car that tows well and is cheap to buy and nice to drive when not being used as the tow car:
Omega v6 = amazing value tows really well, a budget 5 series
BMW 5 series = best to drive when not towing looks good.
Mercedes E class = it's a merc no one will think it's an old banger
Volvo 940/960 = rugged and huge amount of space
Omega v6 = amazing value tows really well, a budget 5 series
BMW 5 series = best to drive when not towing looks good.
Mercedes E class = it's a merc no one will think it's an old banger
Volvo 940/960 = rugged and huge amount of space
I went:
Mondeo Estate - Pretty good. Towing capacity 1800kgs
To Jaguar XJR - Entertaining acceleration even with trailer, but a bit impractical.
To Jaguar XF 3.0D - Towed effortlessly, and returned 30mpg with trailer, but the saloon shape was a little impractical as my spares collection grew. Also, I got stuck more than once with the trailer on some soft ground.
To BMW X3 2.0d - Towed well enough, lack of power a little frustrating compared to the two Jag Autos on the steep Welsh hills, but on the same ground that the XF got stuck with an empty trailer it was fine with the trailer loaded. (However, I didn't like the car, when not towing it was just poor IMO. Same economy as the Jag but very slow, less equipment than a 1988 Ford Escort Popular, crap ride.. and came to the conclusion that SUV style vehicles are not for me)
To Audi Allroad 3.0d - Like it. Similar power and economy to the Jag XF, but the estate is useful, and it has a useful ability over the Jag if not on tarmac. It also has the highest towing capacity of any of the cars I've owned.
I've not tried a van, but I expect I'll look to replace the Allroad with another 4x4 Estate car. Quite possibly another one.
Mondeo Estate - Pretty good. Towing capacity 1800kgs
To Jaguar XJR - Entertaining acceleration even with trailer, but a bit impractical.
To Jaguar XF 3.0D - Towed effortlessly, and returned 30mpg with trailer, but the saloon shape was a little impractical as my spares collection grew. Also, I got stuck more than once with the trailer on some soft ground.
To BMW X3 2.0d - Towed well enough, lack of power a little frustrating compared to the two Jag Autos on the steep Welsh hills, but on the same ground that the XF got stuck with an empty trailer it was fine with the trailer loaded. (However, I didn't like the car, when not towing it was just poor IMO. Same economy as the Jag but very slow, less equipment than a 1988 Ford Escort Popular, crap ride.. and came to the conclusion that SUV style vehicles are not for me)
To Audi Allroad 3.0d - Like it. Similar power and economy to the Jag XF, but the estate is useful, and it has a useful ability over the Jag if not on tarmac. It also has the highest towing capacity of any of the cars I've owned.
I've not tried a van, but I expect I'll look to replace the Allroad with another 4x4 Estate car. Quite possibly another one.
Stelvio1 said:
Oh dear and I was only after a little advice - RX you really are a rather unhelpful individual 
Your question is so vague it's impossible to answer.Nor have you filled in your garage so we have no idea what you currently have.
You are simply a tw@t as I was trying to be helpful as I tow a lot and use vans and cars and 4x4
Not a bad idea to know the loaded weight of the trailer you will be using, then you can check how much the towing vehicle is rated for . Normally the loaded trailer should be no more than 75% of the vehicle rating.
I tow a lot and use a Cayenne S (V8) which can tow quite heavy weights, as it has a 7700 lb rating. Below is the heaviest car I tow but I often tow lighter cars to the track.
I tow a lot and use a Cayenne S (V8) which can tow quite heavy weights, as it has a 7700 lb rating. Below is the heaviest car I tow but I often tow lighter cars to the track.
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