Car advice

[danwarnermeanwell]

Hi everyone. After spending a week in my mother and father in-laws new towing caravan over the summer we've decided we'd like to get into the caravan life!

As I'm currently driving a 1.0 tsi Skoda Kamiq we need something a bit bigger that doesn't break the bank, and can operate as a day to day car. I've narrowed down my options to a new MG HS (1.6 manual turbo petrol) or a 2020 Skoda Karoq (1.5 manual turbo petrol). Both can tow up to 1700kg.

My question is which would you pick as a towing car? Any advice welcome!

 

[otherclive]

I would look at the matching site “ Towcar.info” to examine possible matches.
There is a general guide that newcomers to towing should have a caravan with a weight of 85% of the cars kerbweight. The 85% isn’t hard and fast but it’s a starting point.

Caravans tow differently to say camping trailers or boat trailers. They are large volumetric boxes susceptible to wind, road perturbation and several other factors such a loading, noseweight, speed and other vehicle interactions. So a car that can legally tow 1700 kg may not be that great towing a caravan of that weight.

 

[danwarnermeanwell]

Thank you! That's super helpful!

Of course, we've factored that in - we looked at a Bailey Pageant Bordeaux series 6 which weight 1300kg fully laden so well below the 85% mark.

Just trying to work out which car would give a better drive 😊 cheers!

 

[otherclive]

Thank you! That's super helpful!

Of course, we've factored that in - we looked at a Bailey Pageant Bordeaux series 6 which weight 1300kg fully laden so well below the 85% mark.

Just trying to work out which car would give a better drive 😊 cheers!

I’ve used Towcar.info on three outfits and found it remarkably predictive. On one I had a 2.0litre Forester CVT non turbo petrol with a tow limit of 2000kg. But towing only 1300kg it just wanted to rev up every time I touched the accelerator. A feature of a non turbo petrol auto. I exchanged it for the XT turbo and the difference was astonishing. The engines you are looking at with turbo should develop useful torque lower down the rev band.

Had a Series 5 Pageant Bordeaux probably our best caravan ever. Had it for nine years with only one minor damp issue around front left hand window seal. Not bad after 9 years.

 

[Mandarin]

As a matter of personal preference I (and many others) would rather tow with an diesel automatic (true auto not an auto manual gearbox).

Reason being that low speed maneuvering is easier and doesn't risk excessive clutch wear and the diesel has better pulling power at lower revs.

The guide of 85% relates to the cars kerb weight, not published towing capacity. So far as I can see the Karoq weighs about 1500 kgs which gives you an 85% figure of 1275kgs.

So to be honest I would not choose either car for towing a caravan.

Sorry to sound negative.

 

[otherclive]

As a matter of personal preference I (and many others) would rather tow with an diesel automatic (true auto not an auto manual gearbox).

Reason being that low speed maneuvering is easier and doesn't risk excessive clutch wear and the diesel has better pulling power at lower revs.

The guide of 85% relates to the cars kerb weight, not published towing capacity. So far as I can see the Karoq weighs about 1500 kgs which gives you an 85% figure of 1275kgs.

So to be honest I would not choose either car for towing a caravan.

Sorry to sound negative.

Modern smaller turbo petrols have astonishingly good performance. I was quite surprised when a friend took four of us up Brassknocker Hill near Bath. A small Fiesta with 1.0 ecoboost positively romped up the hill. Of course both the cars being considered by the OP are unlikely to be quite so good at towing as the equivalent turbo diesel with a torque converter gearbox. But that’s not to say along with the OPs other transport needs they wouldn’t be a suitable option. At times choices and compromises have to be made rather than optimising one particular aspect of life. I’ve towed a 1320 kg caravan with a 136bhp non turbo petrol Mondeo and managed just fine. I adjusted my driving to suit the outfit and never felt it to be a problem.

 

[GaryB]

Modern petrol engines are fine for towing, especially as towing a caravan probably accounts for a small percentage of its annual mileage.

I switched from a 2018 V90 diesel to a 2022 V90 petrol both initially towing a twin axle caravan with an upgraded MTPLM of 1800kgs. Both cars coped admirably with no noticeable difference in towing performance.

I do remember there’s a particular version of the Karoq that has no towing capacity so worth double checking.

 

[audiorob]

I would reiterate Madarin’s point that the weight comparison should be with the kerbweight of the car and not the maximum towing capacity. Then ideally a caravan that is around 85% but not exceeding the kerbweight .

 

[Buckman]

The kerbweight of the Karoq is about 1318 kg and maximum towing weight of 1500kg and not 1700kg. To be safe you will need to look for a caravan with a maximum MTPLM of 1200kg. I think that Bailey caravan is a lot heavier than 1200kg. Some insurance companies will not insure a caravan if it exceeds 95% of the kerbweight of the towing vehicle.

 

[otherclive]

The Seat Leon estate won Towcar of the Year 2022. Had the same running gear as the Skoda Karoq proposed by the OP but the Leon was in the 1000-1200kg group.

tow car of the year 2022 - Bing

Mit der intelligenten Bing-Suche können Sie die gewünschten Informationen schneller und einfacher finden und dabei Punkte sammeln.

www.bing.com

 

[Beachball]

We also had a Skoda Yeti 1.4 TSI turbo engine max towing 1300kg it pulled a light weight caravan with no problems

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi everyone. After spending a week in my mother and father in-laws new towing caravan over the summer we've decided we'd like to get into the caravan life!

As I'm currently driving a 1.0 tsi Skoda Kamiq we need something a bit bigger that doesn't break the bank, and can operate as a day to day car. I've narrowed down my options to a new MG HS (1.6 manual turbo petrol) or a 2020 Skoda Karoq (1.5 manual turbo petrol). Both can tow up to 1700kg.

My question is which would you pick as a towing car? Any advice welcome!

Hi.

Without knowing the exact model of caravan you are going to tow its not possible to say which of the cars you have mentioned would (if at all) would be the best choice tow vehicle.

I have have had a quick look at a coulpe of websites that list towing weights, and there were significant differences in the figures, so I'm not certain you would have 1700kg available - and for the reasons that have already been mentioned, when towing caravans its not wise to max out the cars towing capacity.

Unless you are decided on having a small caravan (probably only two berth) I feel you should be looking for a larger vehicle.

 

[Bluetonic]

we looked at a Bailey Pageant Bordeaux series 6

make sure to check very carefully for damp around the front windows, there was (IMO) a manufacturing fault on the S6 where the screw holes arount the window hinges crack and allow water ingress. Can be an expensive fix

 

[trevormonty]

Thank you! That's super helpful!

Of course, we've factored that in - we looked at a Bailey Pageant Bordeaux series 6 which weight 1300kg fully laden so well below the 85% mark.

Just trying to work out which car would give a better drive 😊 cheers!

We are limited to 1200kg by car which means 2 berth or few 4 berths. Going 1500kg and it opens you up to lot 4 berth modrls, 1700kg is even better.

 

[Dustydog]

On the basis your chosen caravan see #3 stands then both suggested vehicles will do the job. For me it’s the availability of spares op if something breaks on the car. VAG Skoda have an excellent repair nationwide network. MG has a smaller network and as yet not much pedigree on the repair front nor availability of spares.

 

[trevormonty]

Hi everyone. After spending a week in my mother and father in-laws new towing caravan over the summer we've decided we'd like to get into the caravan life!

As I'm currently driving a 1.0 tsi Skoda Kamiq we need something a bit bigger that doesn't break the bank, and can operate as a day to day car. I've narrowed down my options to a new MG HS (1.6 manual turbo petrol) or a 2020 Skoda Karoq (1.5 manual turbo petrol). Both can tow up to 1700kg.

My question is which would you pick as a towing car? Any advice welcome!

Don't limit your options to manual. Modern turbo petrols typically produce max torque around 2000rpm which suits standard autos. My Vitara rarely goes above 3000rpm towing 1000kg caravan. For day to day driving in heavy traffic auto is lot nicer to live with.

 

[danwarnermeanwell]

All really helpful replies, thank you all! Quite the community you've got going here!

With some of the replies in mind, if you were going for a reasonably priced petrol car, what would you choose?

 

[Guzzilazz]

Have a test drive of the MG... I had an MG hire car when my Volvo had a fault. Not to beat around the bush, it was THE WORST modern car I have ever driven. Using Android Auto the satnav display was between 15 and 30 seconds BEHIND where the car actually was, which in a strange town was disastrous. The Auto box was unbelievably poor, dropping down two gears for a gentle speed increase, and the engine noise generally was extremely intrusive.

Obviously just my opinion, but do a decent length test drive...

 

[otherclive]

All really helpful replies, thank you all! Quite the community you've got going here!

With some of the replies in mind, if you were going for a reasonably priced petrol car, what would you choose?

A Skoda Octavia estate. Good track record, Volkswagen group support across their brands. Bags of space and nicely thought out for function. Does well in Towcar annual reviews. But choose the model spec carefully to ensure it meets your needs.

An off grid car could be the Ford Kuga. Worth a look.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Towing is always going to mean the tow vehicle is going to be working considerably harder than when driving solo. If a car as a mechanical weakness, towing is going to increase the chance of exposing any weakness.

With so many new car manufacturers and models appearing out of the East, at bargain prices, how they achieve these low prices obviously reflects the lower wage bills the companies pay, but how else have they managed to cut costs?

We see lots of new car reviews. Most are glowing endorsements/promotions, but I have a lot of niggling doubts the reviews simply do not cover.

We don't know enough about:-

• Safety (as few mention the ENCAP results)
• Reliability
• Corrosion resistance
• UK Aftersales Service (Dealer Network, Competence of personnel, Spares availability and costs)
• Panel strength (resistance to denting if someone leans on the panel!)
• Paint durability (exposure to sun's UV, road dirt and atmospheric acids)
• Rubberised coverings (and long term breakdown to a sticky covering)

This is not an exhaustive list, and whilst not specific to towing, there can be little doubt that these new companies don't have the experience of a long history of their vehicles towing caravans.

On that basis I feel more confident in suggesting looking at a tow car from a legacy car manufacture with a well known history of towing.

 

[GaryB]

• Corrosion resistance

I follow a "mechanic" feed on Facebook from one of the East Asian countries and he specialises in restoring/repairing the bodywork of locally produced cars and the rust he encounters in relatively new cars (5 years old and upwards) is reminiscent of a Vauxhall from the 1960's or an Alfa from the 1970's.

 

[trevormonty]

Hi everyone. After spending a week in my mother and father in-laws new towing caravan over the summer we've decided we'd like to get into the caravan life!

As I'm currently driving a 1.0 tsi Skoda Kamiq we need something a bit bigger that doesn't break the bank, and can operate as a day to day car. I've narrowed down my options to a new MG HS (1.6 manual turbo petrol) or a 2020 Skoda Karoq (1.5 manual turbo petrol). Both can tow up to 1700kg.

My question is which would you pick as a towing car? Any advice welcome!

Checkout new suzuki vitara hybrid, now has 1500kg tow rating. Long term reliability is given which is not something you could say about MG. Also more economical.

Probably little light for towing 1500kg caravan on regular basis but does allow you look at vans around 1300kg range.

 

[Buckman]

Checkout new suzuki vitara hybrid, now has 1500kg tow rating. Long term reliability is given which is not something you could say about MG. Also more economical.

Probably little light for towing 1500kg caravan on regular basis but does allow you look at vans around 1300kg range.

Daughter had the 2017 auto bought last year in Sept with 11k on the clock for solo use and neither the husband or her could get on with it. It was not very comfortable for long journeys. They took a hit and traded it in for a2020 Audi A1.

 

[trevormonty]

Daughter had the 2017 auto bought last year in Sept with 11k on the clock for solo use and neither the husband or her could get on with it. It was not very comfortable for long journeys. They took a hit and traded it in for a2020 Audi A1.

We like our 1.4T but thats personal thing also planned to keep it for 10yrs so reliability was important. Not sure what your daughter had but if it was 1.6L I can understand. Work has fleet of 1.6 autos, not a good combination for performance, reliable yes. The 1.6 needs a manual gearbox.

Work has Caddy van which I drive regularly, good on open road given it panel van. Reliability has lived upto reports I've been hearing. New transaxle at 55k, 4yr just out of warranty. Now leaking coolant at 60k and 5yr, was expensive repair bill from what I've heard.
VW group cars maybe cheaper to repair in UK, but in NZ dealers charge like a wounded bull for labour and parts.

 

[ProfJohnL]

We like our 1.4T but thats personal thing also planned to keep it for 10yrs so reliability was important. Not sure what your daughter had but if it was 1.6L I can understand. Work has fleet of 1.6 autos, not a good combination for performance, reliable yes. The 1.6 needs a manual gearbox.

Work has Caddy van which I drive regularly, good on open road given it panel van. Reliability has lived upto reports I've been hearing. New transaxle at 55k, 4yr just out of warranty. Now leaking coolant at 60k and 5yr, was expensive repair bill from what I've heard.
VW group cars maybe cheaper to repair in UK, but in NZ dealers charge like a wounded bull for labour and parts.

Its good to read of how manufacturers fare in other parts of the world, but please forgive us if we forget to recognise the international readership of the forum. PC started as a UK publication, and it still is located in the UK, and it does seem the majority of active readers and contributors are in the UK, so most of what gets discussed is from a UK perspective.