Whacking on a tow bar on an old car

[Flashgordonsalive]

What’s people’s experience of buying a 10 year old used German 4x4 - say either a 3.0 v6 or straight 6 tdi. With about 90k but a full history and then whacking a tow bar on and using to tow a caravan ?

These are all about the same price as something like a Tuscan, or a sportage at a few years old. The badge snob is saying buy old German.

[dhutch]

What can go wrong. Not a 4x4 but I've done it with a 3series and a 306. Look at used towball availablity.

[Flashgordonsalive]

Dunno that’s why I’m asking lol.

Having the sudden weight of towing a caravan would it be too much or can the car take it if maintained

[tr7v8]

I'd do a drive line service changing box oil & filter & transfer (if it has one) & diff oils. But it will be fine.

[Big GT]

No problem. I brought a 10y old Touareg 3.0tdi and towed 2 tonne regularly without problems for years. Great car and I would recommend a tidy Mk2 3.0tdi in altitude spec.

However if you can afford it go for a Disco 4.

[Flashgordonsalive]

Cheers.

Hard to move from something like a. Cayanne or x5 to a sportagae. My wife says newer is better I say tosh.

[Flashgordonsalive]

Big GT said:

No problem. I brought a 10y old Touareg 3.0tdi and towed 2 tonne regularly without problems for years. Great car and I would recommend a tidy Mk2 3.0tdi in altitude spec.

However if you can afford it go for a Disco 4.

Aren’t they full of issues though ? Discos

[K50 DEL]

I've just bought a 10yr old 3.0 V6 Range Rover Sport specifically so that I can tow a horsebox once a month or so, as long as the car is well maintained and you drive sympathetically I can't see why you'd have an issue to be honest.

[Flashgordonsalive]

K50 DEL said:

I've just bought a 10yr old 3.0 V6 Range Rover Sport specifically so that I can tow a horsebox once a month or so, as long as the car is well maintained and you drive sympathetically I can't see why you'd have an issue to be honest.

You didn’t fancy something new like a Kia or Hyundai Tuscan ?

[chasingracecars]

I have a 2010 Passat 2.0l TDI with 92,000 miles on it. Bought for sub £4K, fitted a new cam-belt, water pump, rear control arms and new tyres.

So far towed to Belgium from South Wales and now it’s towed the caravan to Le Mans.

I would avoid DSG and cars that already have a tow bar as this may have been used for most of its life!

[Flashgordonsalive]

One I’m looking at is a cayenne with 91k. No
Tow bar. Drives lovely. Just don’t want to kill
It or it end up worthless

[K50 DEL]

Flashgordonsalive said:

K50 DEL said:

I've just bought a 10yr old 3.0 V6 Range Rover Sport specifically so that I can tow a horsebox once a month or so, as long as the car is well maintained and you drive sympathetically I can't see why you'd have an issue to be honest.

You didn’t fancy something new like a Kia or Hyundai Tuscan ?

No, wouldn't even consider it.
I've no interest in losing a fortune in depreciation or paying each month for a newer car, I've always bought older cars outright to minimise the money I throw away.

Been doing that now for 20yrs and hundreds of thousands of miles and it's always worked fine for me.

[K50 DEL]

Flashgordonsalive said:

One I’m looking at is a cayenne with 91k. No
Tow bar. Drives lovely. Just don’t want to kill
It or it end up worthless

Good car, they tow very well.
I had a 10yr old turbo a few years ago that served towing duties in the heat of Dubai without any hassle.

[Flashgordonsalive]

That’s good to know. I don’t have much luck with cars these days and nearly 20k is a lot to spending

[HustleRussell]

Don’t underestimate the cost of fitting a properly integrated tow bar with modern car electronic systems. Can be £600+ easily.

[dundarach]

2004 Rover 75

Towbar from ebay £70

CANBUS adapter soldered onto the light cluster as not using bodge and scarper crimps £15

Easy to install, needed a torque wrench, so another £20

I'm not a mechanic, however very easy to do, take your time and enjoy.









Crack on old chap!!

[K50 DEL]

HustleRussell said:

Don’t underestimate the cost of fitting a properly integrated tow bar with modern car electronic systems. Can be £600+ easily.

Depending on the car I guess it could...

My X1 cost just over £150 and the RRS was £170 all in, using official wiring looms to ensure full compatibility as I can't be doing with bodge jobs.

The cayenne was a little more expensive but only because I had it made bespoke as there were no units available in country at the time and I needed it urgently.

[Flashgordonsalive]

I’ve priced up the tow bar it’s not bad. Fitting might be allot more.
I’ve not made my mind up yet on this or an x5 or x6.

It’s only the mileage that bothers me. Saying that they aren’t new any of them

[Flashgordonsalive]

dundarach said:

2004 Rover 75

Towbar from ebay £70

CANBUS adapter soldered onto the light cluster as not using bodge and scarper crimps £15

Easy to install, needed a torque wrench, so another £20

I'm not a mechanic, however very easy to do, take your time and enjoy.









Crack on old chap!!

Cracking work fella 👍