Can anyone recommend a car to tow this van?

[Mark_374372334]

Hi there,

My parents are thinking of updating their towcar to tow their caravan, as the current car isn't up to the job.

The van is an Abbey impression, MIRO 1278kg and MTPLM 1533kg.

We have been looking at:,

1. The Nissan Xtrail 2.2dci 2002 model.

2. Landrover Freelander TD4 2000 model or below.

3. Volvo V70 1999 upwards.

Can anyone shed any light on whether these cars could legally pull it? We have been looking at cars to pull it and there seem to be very few that would be up to the job, which is why we are now thinking of getting a 4X4.

Cheers

Mark

 

[AdifferentJim]

Mark

I tow an Abbey 418GTS with a 2007 (new type) V70d5 and previously had towed with a 2005 V70d5 including to the south of France a few times. Very, very good towcars.

My caravan is of almost identical weight to yours so a V70 would cope quite adequately. The kerbweight of my 2005 model was a touch over 1700kg without me in (I checkedit at the local weighbridge). The current model is well over 1800kg

 

[John_374382414]

Hi,I would thoroughly recommend a Volvo V70,but not necessarily the diesel.You will pay more for it; like for like.With the difference in diesel and petrol costs you would not see a break even for a long time in terms of mileage/years of use.I tow a 1992 Fleetwood Cholchester 1850 with a 1997 Volvo V70 T5 CD Auto.When towing I see between 19mpg & 23mpg depending on the prevailing conditions.My best return is at 56mph in cruise control when ever possible.My van is heavier than Fleewood claim and when loaded it runs at 1500/1550kgs(it is a 24feet4inches shipping length a tows very well.(4x4 are all round expensive and often not the best option for none towing duties.My Volvo on the weighbridge to EU kerbweight spec is 1639kgs.Regards John Shepherd

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi mark

I have just purchased Freelander 2005 TD4 auto facelift. After doing a lot of reseach for about 1 year land rover freelander was the best towcar I could come up with in the price range I could buy.

It tow,s my Bailey like a dream good high nose wieght 140kg if your not heavy right footed 35 to the gal. Its not fast on acceleration its a bit of a plodder but it will get you where you wish to go with a comfortable ride. Servicing is not cheap at rover agents but if you are handy changing oil and filter is not a problem nor disc pads and rear shoes to the diy man.Spares can be obtained from the NET vey easy land rover parts not at sky high prices shop around look at 4x4 mag,s. The facelift Td4 is the one to go 2004 to 2005 it has a BMW engine. Road tax

 

[g_374369443]

Stephen, I am assuming your freelander is a 2.0 litre diesel?

Therefore its CO2 is over 205G/km. normal gearbox type that means the Road tax next year 2009, will see a huge increase

 

[empee]

Check out the Hyundai Tucson (New Towcar thread)

Weight should be good, 189 CO2 emissions and 30+ mpg urban.

06 onward got the more powerful (138 bhp) diesel and the 6 speed gearbox. Very good equipt levels

Martin

 

[philip_5109302]

try a new Ford Mondeo estate 2.0 diesel, you won't need a 4x4.

 

[Dustydog]

Philip

He's running a MTPLM at 1533. Not much less than my 1678.

Are you recommending he runs above the suggested 85%? Nearly 95% ?

I think the Mondeo will cope on the windless straight but anything else his wits will have to be as sharp as a razor.

Safety and relaxed towing is the prime mover for me and that's what we should be recommending to members of the forum.

Yes I have towed at 100% before but why make life hard?

His parents can't be that young!

Cheers

Alan

 

[trucker]

Ford Mondeo IV Wagon - 2.0 TDCi (85 kW/114 bhp) would be at 93%. I tow at 93% with an old shape mondeo with no problems when its windy I tow acordingly.

kevin

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Stephen, I am assuming your freelander is a 2.0 litre diesel?

Therefore its CO2 is over 205G/km. normal gearbox type that means the Road tax next year 2009, will see a huge increase

 

[Stephen_374341239]

try a new Ford Mondeo estate 2.0 diesel, you won't need a 4x4.

To much money to purchase

 

[Dustydog]

Kevin

Back in 2002 we used our 2.2 dci Laguna estate at 95%.

The only issue I had was a few times I felt the tail wag the dog a bit and the obvious slipstream effect from the big coaches or high speed white van man. Otherwise from a power point of view she was brilliant.

In 2005 I changed to the Sorento and have never looked back. The difference is considerable.

I've towed since 1978 and feel confident as I am sure you do. However I think there may be people out there not so experienced hence I prefer to err on the side of caution.

Now if I could get a Sorento with Mondeo mpg??mmm

Cheers

Alan

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi

I am hoping Brown and the men in grey are going to bring down taxes on cars, vans, HGVS. Or just keep them where they are at present. I do not think the increases set to come in are going to help this country in any way and help get it back on its feet again.

 

[TD42]

try whattowcar.com It has a towcar search facility Just enter your van weight,kerbweight ratio required & a few other options & it comes up with a big list of options

 

[g_374369443]

Stephen. With regards of the CO2 being 240g/km, if brown does bring in the new taxation next year, then it would cost you

 

[jimmyrae2]

Hi I'm towing with a v70 d5 pulling swift colonsay (charisma 555) and never feel the van there.

 

[GregC]

Just to suggest something completely different, we tow a Fleetwood Volante MTPLM 1460 kg, with a Ford S-Max, kerb wt-1830kg 2-lt TDCI engine,which return 28mpg towing, and 44mpg solo. Just make sure it has traction control, called ( ESP ) some models before 2007 didn't have it fitted, otherwise it's great, and very comfortable.

GregC