In this week's tow car blog, Practical Caravan's expert Motty considers the pros and cons of estates and SUVs for towing duties – take a look!
SUV or estate?
- Thread starter LizziePope
- Start date
I think it comes down to what else you'll use the car for. I went for an estate because the 4-wheel drive and extra ground clearance of an SUV is something I'd be grateful for maybe twice a year and the price of higher fuel bills and company car tax was just too high.
Oh, and I didn't go for the 'third option' of a Passat Alltrack because I couldn't afford one - from memory I think it's about £6k more than the 2.0 TDI estate.
Oh, and I didn't go for the 'third option' of a Passat Alltrack because I couldn't afford one - from memory I think it's about £6k more than the 2.0 TDI estate.
- Aug 23, 2009
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Or of course the 4th option of a 4x4 pick up. Huge load bay, much bigger than an estate or an SUV but with 4wd there if you need it for all round duties. Five carried in more comfort than pick ups of old. Having said that we're changing to a RWD for the first time this millennia. Only due to mobility issues, otherwise the pick up would be staying.
- Nov 11, 2009
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The other option is. 4wd estate without raised suspension. Which gives good ride and handling and there are several makes out there. How about the 2.0 Tsi Skoda Superb Estate with a gentle 280 ps output. Awesome but very thirsty.
- Jul 22, 2014
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There are legal issues with a pick-up, like they are banned from some places because they are considered to be a trade vehicle. For example they are banned from entering the "household" part of my local council rubbish dump - sorry I meant recycling centre - they have to go in via the trade weighbridge and pay for their load. I have seen notices banning them from car parks too.Martin24 said:
- Aug 23, 2009
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I have not come across such discriminations in 4 years of ownership. I'm therefore assuming it's not likely to be a widespread issue. I wonder what will be made of my new Sprinter which will be registered as a disabled taxation class the same as the pick up has been and not a LCV. The pick up has just been changed to LCV ready for the sprinter to be registered to me a disabled.
As this is my registration class I will continue to look at either car being a car not a commercial vehicle.
As this is my registration class I will continue to look at either car being a car not a commercial vehicle.
Our local recycling centres bans lwb vans, tippers and flatbeds, tractors and twin wheel axle trailers without exception, and any work vehicles (this can include pickup trucks), at the discretion of the guy on the gate.
I have also seen signs at some campsites no vans/commercial vehicles, Flamigoland go even further:
I have also seen signs at some campsites no vans/commercial vehicles, Flamigoland go even further:
- Aug 23, 2009
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It would be very interesting to see how they respond to an email enquiry about my new car then.
They had best add the whole 8' wide van club to it then. A throw back to the old pre Explorer group Buccaneers I would imagine. May well give it a go.
Sounds as if we explained the situation to your tip guys they'd be okay about it.
They had best add the whole 8' wide van club to it then. A throw back to the old pre Explorer group Buccaneers I would imagine. May well give it a go.
Sounds as if we explained the situation to your tip guys they'd be okay about it.
- Jul 22, 2014
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At one time (10 years ago?) the recycling centres in Bristol (main one Avonmouth) even banned 4x4s from the household section, for reasons I can only imagine were spite (my 4x4 had less carrying capacity than my previous Volvo 245 estate). I had to park outside and carry stuff in. They certainly would not have let a pick-up truck in. They also still have a quite a low height restrictor which my Jeep only just gets under.
Of course this might not affect the majority of people. Most people I know are not even aware of the existence of such places and phone the council to have big junk taken away (and pay for it).
Of course this might not affect the majority of people. Most people I know are not even aware of the existence of such places and phone the council to have big junk taken away (and pay for it).
It would be interesting to see whether the flamigoland ban on certain makes of caravan would actually stand up court? It could be argued that it is indirect discrimination, in that while it applies to all, it would have a greater affect on members of the travelling community.
- May 7, 2012
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The choice is probably down to what suits you in everyday use.The SUV should in theory be a better towcar as it will have a shorter rear overhang which helps stability and the higher body probably will reduce fuel consumption.
A ban on certain makes is unlikely to fall foul of the law if the operators can show good reason, but they can also ban pick ups and vans without prior acceptance which is probably the best bet,. Travelers will normally have no fixed address so caravans used as a residence could also be banned.
A ban on certain makes is unlikely to fall foul of the law if the operators can show good reason, but they can also ban pick ups and vans without prior acceptance which is probably the best bet,. Travelers will normally have no fixed address so caravans used as a residence could also be banned.
Given that the Passat Estate has been TCotY several times recently it says a lot for them. The Superb estate also takes some beating and has the advantage of cavernous leg room in the back - they are also very well built and have good dealers. Both will tow 1800Kg (they are essentially the same car) and take a noseweight of 90Kg on a Westfalia hitch.
I'm on my second Passat and I think it is likely we will change it next year for another. Tows easily, reasonable mpg towing (around 28-30) and brilliant mpg solo (well topside of 50.) Mine is the 140TDi CR but the minimum you can get now is 150. Curiously for those that haven't seen it, the B8 Passat diesel with AdBlue (the current model) is one of the cleanest vehicles on the road.
I'm on my second Passat and I think it is likely we will change it next year for another. Tows easily, reasonable mpg towing (around 28-30) and brilliant mpg solo (well topside of 50.) Mine is the 140TDi CR but the minimum you can get now is 150. Curiously for those that haven't seen it, the B8 Passat diesel with AdBlue (the current model) is one of the cleanest vehicles on the road.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Woodentop said:
I bought Superb Estate in March as my 2014 2.0 Forester required too many revs to be a comfortable tow car ( it wasn't bought to tow I might addd). We have had several trips out with the Superb and its interior space is a real boon. How they have combined so much legroom for front and rear, as well as a cavernous boot is amazing. On one trip where we had lot of stuff I put the roof box on and again being able to load the roof without requiring steps was good news. Mine is the 4wd 170ps DSG and when I make regular trips to the Midlands I get 50-52mpg on a mix of rural, A, M and town roads. It is difficult to compare tow cars that I have had over the years but this one surely does the business. The servicing is remarkably cheap compared to my last two cars (2014 Forester, 2010 XC70) and solo I ma getting over 10mpg better. i use a local Skoda agency from where I bought my Skoda Estelle many years back. It's also comfort to know that the Superb shares the large VAG parts bin.
I would question why a Westfalia hitch can be used at 90kg noseweight as the Superb Estate 2 noseweight limit is 80kg. Thats a car limit independent of towbar design.
Woodentop said:
My father-in-law's does low to mid fifties, which makes you wonder where it went wrong his is 22 years old!
Why only SUV or estate? There's a raft of models from Audi (Sportback) and BMW (GTs) that are larger hatchbacks with higher seating and plenty of loadspace if you don't want the full estate. Some of these go back a few years too, so no need to buy new either
- Mar 14, 2005
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otherclive said:
Some towbar assemblies can befitted to different versions of the same car or even different models, so whilst the towbar may be rated for a higher value the rating you must abide by which ever is lower: the cars specification of the tow bar.
- Nov 11, 2009
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ProfJohnL said:
And that's why I questioned the comment as all Superb models whether Gen 2 or 3 have a 80 kg nose weight limit.
- Mar 10, 2006
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Problem I've found is a lot of estates do not weigh much compared to a 4x4 SUV, and often have lower NW limits.
I'd consider another estate provided it wasn't a long one, compared to my cx-5, and weights at least 1750kg, with a NW of at least 90kg.
It would also need to have at least 310 pound feet of torque and 175ps, and be rated to tow 2100kg in Auto versions.
I'd consider another estate provided it wasn't a long one, compared to my cx-5, and weights at least 1750kg, with a NW of at least 90kg.
It would also need to have at least 310 pound feet of torque and 175ps, and be rated to tow 2100kg in Auto versions.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Which is better is not a debate that will come to a universally satisfied solution, becasue each persons desires are different, and that is what drives the purchasing choice of tow vehicles.
Its a different question to what do you "need", and there again to some extent there will be differences on an individual basis, but I would suggest that if every caravanner were to review their needs really accurately and honestly, they could most likely get away with a tow vehicle of less proportions or power than the one they currently have or are looking at.
Its a different question to what do you "need", and there again to some extent there will be differences on an individual basis, but I would suggest that if every caravanner were to review their needs really accurately and honestly, they could most likely get away with a tow vehicle of less proportions or power than the one they currently have or are looking at.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Can't answer except to say that our first Passat B6 estate (which my daughter still has and today topped 150K miles) had a Thule bar fitted and the bar was rated 85Kg where the car is rated 90Kg, so 85Kg it was. When we got our present B7 estate (same engine, bigger wheels) it had a Westfalia hitch which is rated 90Kg although I still run it nearer 85Kg. Both were removeable ball units.otherclive said:
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