Is there a definitive way to find a tow cars capability?

[Eldorado]

We don't currently have a tow car, so I cant go and look at the manual or anything - online there seems to be conflicting views for some (many?) models.

So how do you know? When we are looking at specific cars, how can we find out?

FWIW we are currently liking Mazda CX5 AWD ( would have preferred CX60 but concerned by the issues I keep hearing). I think we would be okay at 1600kg, not sure about 1800kg, not okay at 2000kg?

 

[otherclive]

We don't currently have a tow car, so I cant go and look at the manual or anything - online there seems to be conflicting views for some (many?) models.

So how do you know? When we are looking at specific cars, how can we find out?

FWIW we are currently liking Mazda CX5 AWD ( would have preferred CX60 but concerned by the issues I keep hearing). I think we would be okay at 1600kg, not sure about 1800kg, not okay at 2000kg?

The car will have a label giving its max towing specifications based on maximum train weight and axle loads. The V5 should give braked towing load and look at the owners handbooks and Mazda website.
Often a car will specify a towing load but that doesn’t mean it would be good with a caravan of that weight. Caravans are big flimsy boxes that are more affected by wind, road perturbation, other vehicles, owner driving inexperience or ignorance and loadings of car and van. Compared to a flat low car trailer a caravan is totally different.

There’s a guide that recommends the caravan MTPLM should be 85% of the cars kerbweight for inexperienced drivers. It’s quite conservative but it’s a starting point.

 

[Woodentop]

The usually accepted figure is 40bhp per tonne of train weight as a minimum. Ergo a 1400kg van on a 1600kg car = 3000kg so you should aim for 120bhp minimum. In practice you will likely find diesel engines around 150bhp are very common and will give you plenty of driveability. VAG - if you can still find a diesel - do a 150bhp that goes in almost every range - VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda. We had three Passat Estates and now have a Skoda Karoq Sportline. All Passats towed our Bailey Pegasus 462 and Bailey Unicorn S4 Seville 2-berth without problem and the Karoq now tows our Unicorn S5 Deluxe (exactly 11in longer but exactly the same weight) with just as much ease. In fact I think the dealer we use still has our Unicorn S4 on his used lot and its in immaculate condition.

 

[otherclive]

The OP gives no idea of which CX5 might be of interest. There’s reviews on CMHC and this PC might help.

Mazda CX-5 - Practical Caravan

It has long been one of our favourite mid-sized SUVs, so what tow car ability does the latest Mazda CX-5 have? Let's get a van, hitch up and go testing!

www.practicalcaravan.com

 

[Jcloughie]

I have a 2023 2 liter FWD CX5 165bhp reports say it is a reasonable tow car up to 1800kg. I have not towed with it. My previous 2 litre diesel Volvo had more grunt. And towed really well.

I may be starting to tow again and we are looking at arounfb1650 kg. So fingers crossed.

The petrol 4WD is 2.5 liter is 191bhp. People say it is little different.

Look at CX5 forums re towing.

John

 

[ProfJohnL]

We don't currently have a tow car, so I cant go and look at the manual or anything - online there seems to be conflicting views for some (many?) models.

So how do you know? When we are looking at specific cars, how can we find out?

FWIW we are currently liking Mazda CX5 AWD ( would have preferred CX60 but concerned by the issues I keep hearing). I think we would be okay at 1600kg, not sure about 1800kg, not okay at 2000kg?

Just to clarify, many cars have a generic user handbook that covers a range of models, rather than one specific model. Consequently weights, measures and limits can be difficult to unravel from the general text. The fact is each specific model can have its own set of load limits which might be unique to that one model. To be certain, you need to see the vehicles weight plate which defines four specific limits for each car

The four limits are
Line 1: The Gross Vehicle Mass or Maximum Authorised Mass
Line 2: The Gross Train Mass (the maximum mass of the car and trailer weighed hitched together)
Line3: Front Axle Maximum Load
Line 4: Rear Axle Maximum Load

(If line 2 is empty or set "0" the car you have chosen is not approved for towing)

These are strict legal limits with no tolerance. At no time should you load in excess of any of these static limits.

A simple calculation of Line 2 - Line 1 will tell you the maximum allowed trailer mass you can tow when the car is fully laden.

Just becasue you keep within these limits does not guarantee your outfit will tow safely. That is down to how you load and drive the outfit.