Which of our vehicles would be best for towing?
Discussion
Whilst looking for a caravan something I also need to think about is what to tow one with.
My wife has a Land Rover Freelander 2 (160 hp, manual gearbox, awd) and I have a Merc Vito Dualiner (van with side windows, 150 hp, automatic, rwd).
Any views on which would be best to tow with as ideally I don't want to put a tow bar on the wrong vehicle.
I assume that the Freelander would be best, but would like to hear from experienced towers what their opinion is.
Thanks.
My wife has a Land Rover Freelander 2 (160 hp, manual gearbox, awd) and I have a Merc Vito Dualiner (van with side windows, 150 hp, automatic, rwd).
Any views on which would be best to tow with as ideally I don't want to put a tow bar on the wrong vehicle.
I assume that the Freelander would be best, but would like to hear from experienced towers what their opinion is.
Thanks.
I think they'd both be fine.
The question you need to ask is what vehicle do you like to drive the most on long distances, and which vehicle would you prefer to drive when you're at the other end?
I'd imagine the Vito would be good because a) it's automatic and b) you could get loads of gear in the back
I'd imagine the Freelander would be good because a) it's 4x4 and slightly more powerful and b) it's nicer to drive than a van
Which is more economical?
The question you need to ask is what vehicle do you like to drive the most on long distances, and which vehicle would you prefer to drive when you're at the other end?
I'd imagine the Vito would be good because a) it's automatic and b) you could get loads of gear in the back
I'd imagine the Freelander would be good because a) it's 4x4 and slightly more powerful and b) it's nicer to drive than a van
Which is more economical?
Chrisgr31 said:
Will the van give any issues of appearing to be too much like permanent caravan dwellers? I know many sites accept vans towing caravans, but there are always rumours some don't.
I hadn't considered that. It would be adorned with roof rack, roof box and bikes which may detract from the 3.142keyness. It has windows in the side doors, 18 inch alloys and black vinyl resembling windows on the rear panels, so at a glance could pass as a people carrier rather than a van.
Aside from the very valid comments others have made that is actually quite a difficult call, both have upsides. Assuming no "van" issues I would probably go with the Vito because of the autobox and space to put everything but either should do an admirable job.
My wife has a petrol X3 and I have a 5 series diesel saloon. If the 5 series hadn't already got a tow bar fitted (looking at it used once for attaching a bike rack) I would have had a tough job deciding which to use (and in fact may never have purchased the caravan at all!!). As it was all I had to do was find a van light enough for the 5 series to tow comfortably so looked for something under the 85% rule
My wife has a petrol X3 and I have a 5 series diesel saloon. If the 5 series hadn't already got a tow bar fitted (looking at it used once for attaching a bike rack) I would have had a tough job deciding which to use (and in fact may never have purchased the caravan at all!!). As it was all I had to do was find a van light enough for the 5 series to tow comfortably so looked for something under the 85% rule
Both have merits. As already said, van has the space, presumably once on site bikes could be locked in the back. Against that, assuming suitable tyres, the FL2 is likely to be able to cope with towing in and out of not that level grass campsites in wet weather better than the Vito.
If you decide to stick a bar on the FL2 then ffs don't ask a JLR dealer to do it, unless minted.
Having driven both, prefer driving an FL2 to a Vito, though the one driven wasn't an auto, manual, stupid foot parking brake and multiple hill starts in Sheffield frankly got on my wick very quickly.
If you decide to stick a bar on the FL2 then ffs don't ask a JLR dealer to do it, unless minted.
Having driven both, prefer driving an FL2 to a Vito, though the one driven wasn't an auto, manual, stupid foot parking brake and multiple hill starts in Sheffield frankly got on my wick very quickly.
PH5121 said:
No issue there, we have both got B+E on our licences but it looks like I will be doing the towing as my wife doesn't fancy doing it.
Try and encourage her to have a go.My mum had to drive a large Volvo and van all the way back from the south of France after my dad busted a tendon.
Fair play she did it, but seriously started in the deep end.
Slightly off topic how do you find the Vito auto?I am working a lot in London these days and an Auto would save me having a left leg bigger than the right! What MPG will it do?
I am getting a tow bar put on the Freelander first. Ironically the main reason I got the Vito was so we could get all of the camping and biking stuff in when we went on holiday.
The Vito is dull as dish water to drive on a daily basis, but it does have a reasonable turn of speed on the motorway and will cruise in excess of the speed limit with ease. Pulling out at junctions I find it can be sluggish, so end up driving it like a manual.
The fuel economy is poor, from a full tank I can get just over 400 miles, it averages mid 20's to the gallon. I get better mpg from my old 911!
It has its upsides, it is big so can fit stuff in without resorting to using roof racks, it seats 6 with ease and the kids have lots of room in the rear. I find it comfy and I like the elevated driving position. In fact when I get in a normal car it feels odd to be so low down.
When the kids get in covered in mud from playing football or mountain biking it doesn't matter as it's only a van, and it saves me money compared to when I had a company car from a tax perspective.
The Vito is dull as dish water to drive on a daily basis, but it does have a reasonable turn of speed on the motorway and will cruise in excess of the speed limit with ease. Pulling out at junctions I find it can be sluggish, so end up driving it like a manual.
The fuel economy is poor, from a full tank I can get just over 400 miles, it averages mid 20's to the gallon. I get better mpg from my old 911!
It has its upsides, it is big so can fit stuff in without resorting to using roof racks, it seats 6 with ease and the kids have lots of room in the rear. I find it comfy and I like the elevated driving position. In fact when I get in a normal car it feels odd to be so low down.
When the kids get in covered in mud from playing football or mountain biking it doesn't matter as it's only a van, and it saves me money compared to when I had a company car from a tax perspective.
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