Tow Car short list

[Tobes]

The layout of motorway services is quite easy to ascertain using Google Earth, you can see the caravan/motorhome parking or if full the HGV parking. Even without unhitching for charging we never ever left the caravan unattended in motorway service areas.

This - and after using motorway services for charging a few times (Stone north, Hilton Park south), we tend to avoid them. I find off motorway chargers to be both more accessible (better close parking), less busy and faster (more than just a gridserve 60kW ecotricity replacement).

 

[Javert]

The layout of motorway services is quite easy to ascertain using Google Earth, you can see the caravan/motorhome parking or if full the HGV parking. Even without unhitching for charging we never ever left the caravan unattended in motorway service areas.

A bit off topic but is this because caravans are very easy to steal? If so do they also sometimes get stolen if you are just in a campsite and out for the day?

 

[otherclive]

A bit off topic but is this because caravans are very easy to steal? If so do they also sometimes get stolen if you are just in a campsite and out for the day?

They can be gone very quickly from service areas. But stealing from campsites tends not to be that common, and with good locks and near neighbours plus site staff it makes it more difficult. Having an awning up also makes it more difficult to steal. Some CL/CS are more remote and you may find you are the only caravan there, but again good security makes a difference. But at the end of the day that’s why it’s important to have a good insurance cover. It never bothered us as if it did I would question why we went caravanning if we see risk everywhere.

 

[Cons]

Santa Fe all the way 😂

 

[trevormonty]

Mazda CX5 have good reliability record and rated for 1800kg.
New RAV4s hybrids are typically 1500kg..

Do some rearch on Xtrail CVT reliability, heard its not best and towing is only going to make it worse.

 

[Scannyman]

Hello all - we are looking to get a tow car capable of towing a caravan up to 1600KG or so (we are looking to get a Swift Sprite Major SB or something similar size).

We are beginners and have only used rented motorhomes in the past.

I would be interested to know what members here are using for a tow car and what they would recommend?

So far I have looked at a bunch of online articles and I have listed
- Kia Sorento
- Porsche Cayenne
- Volvo XC60
- Rav4
- BMW X3 or X5
- Mercedes GLC
- Nissan X-Trail
- Skoda Karoq

Also listed a couple of EVs but I am aware of the range / charging convenience issues:
-Kiai EV6 or EV9
- Hyundai Ioniq 6

Any other suggestions or any negative comments about the above?

Also thoughts on PHEV vs straight diesel/petrol/MHEV?

Personally, I would check the potential new tow car towing limits to make sure that a 1600kg van is within its tow limits. A caravan of that weight could certainly cause a few problems with an ill-matched tow car

 

[ProfJohnL]

It is essential to check the towing limits of the tow vehicle. whether new or secondhand.

 

[Raywood]

A bit off topic but is this because caravans are very easy to steal? If so do they also sometimes get stolen if you are just in a campsite and out for the day?

As Other Clive says caravans are easily stolen so good locks are essential. The C&CC did publish details of where they are stolen most a few years back and the answer was when they are stored. The highest rate was from un protected storage sites and then from homes with CASSOA sites well down the list.
There were a number from the likes of services but they are low but should not be ignored. A lot of people do just leave a caravan unprotected and go for a meal or whatever and opportunists have hitched them up and been gone before the owners get back. It is rare as the thieves do not what may be on offer and normally are looking for something specific, so storage is more popular with them.
Sites in season are less common simply because people tend to recognise the people in nearby caravans making theft risky, sites tend to have barriers making t difficult to get in and out and cameras that can pick hem up. In winter though many ae simply stored there and could be vulnerable.

 

[trevormonty]

Besides usual security measures worth hiding Air tag or equivalent on the outside(better range). Will in crease your chances of tracking it if stolen.

 

[xtrailman]

I've towed 1700kg with a Mazda cx5 175ps AWD diesel automatic and, a 190ps Tiguan automatic AWD , and now a 2022 Kia Sportage 230ps hybrid.

 

[manuelverges]

We are in the same situation Javert. Are you using B+E driving license? We want to tow 1574 without B+E and looking right now for a car to do so. Any help?

 

[Lutz]

We are in the same situation Javert. Are you using B+E driving license? We want to tow 1574 without B+E and looking right now for a car to do so. Any help?

The B+E restriction was lifted recently and you are now entitled to B+E in the UK without further test. Only if you go abroad will you need B+E entitlement shown on your licence and that will be done automatically when your licence is renewed.

 

[manuelverges]

The B+E restriction was lifted recently and you are now entitled to B+E in the UK without further test. Only if you go abroad will you need B+E entitlement shown on your licence and that will be done automatically when your licence is renewed.

Oh, that's great news. However we plan to go to EU some and our driving licence was from Spain originally. Can you advise on this or pointing us to the right place to ask?

 

[Lutz]

Oh, that's great news. However we plan to go to EU some and our driving licence was from Spain originally. Can you advise on this or pointing us to the right place to ask?

Before going abroad you would have to have your driving licence reissued to show B+E entitlement.

 

[otherclive]

Oh, that's great news. However we plan to go to EU some and our driving licence was from Spain originally. Can you advise on this or pointing us to the right place to ask?

You have a parallel thread going with this exact same subject. Your replies will be split between the two threads now v

 

[manuelverges]

You are right mate, sorry about that. Just this post is pointing to the same range for towing and I found it later. Even with that, now I'm looking if I will get B+E when exchanging my Spanish driving licence without the +E to a UK one...

You have a parallel thread going with this exact same subject. Your replies will be split between the two threads now v

 

[otherclive]

You are right mate, sorry about that. Just this post is pointing to the same range for towing and I found it later. Even with that, now I'm looking if I will get B+E when exchanging my Spanish driving licence without the +E to a UK one...

Makes good sense to update, then you are free to travel wherever.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Oh, that's great news. However we plan to go to EU some and our driving licence was from Spain originally. Can you advise on this or pointing us to the right place to ask?

Are you trying to update a Spanish or UK licence? The comments here only apply to the UK licence, you would need to consult the Spanish regulations to find out about their interpretation of the eqeuivialent B and BE issues.

 

[Buckman]

Are you trying to update a Spanish or UK licence? The comments here only apply to the UK licence, you would need to consult the Spanish regulations to find out about their interpretation of the eqeuivialent B and BE issues.

I would have thought that if they update their licence to a UK licence they would automatically be issued with the B+E which can then be used in the UK and abroad?

 

[Lutz]

Are you trying to update a Spanish or UK licence? The comments here only apply to the UK licence, you would need to consult the Spanish regulations to find out about their interpretation of the eqeuivialent B and BE issues.

One wouldn’t be able to amend a driving licence issued in Spain to add B+E entitlement without a test in Spain. The only option would be to exchange it for a UK licence first.

 

[manuelverges]

Lutz, are you saying if I exchange my B Spanish license to UK license then I would get the B+E automatically as it is a UK licence? Many thanks

 

[Lutz]

Lutz, are you saying if I exchange my B Spanish license to UK license then I would get the B+E automatically as it is a UK licence? Many thanks

That’s right. The UK no longer differentiates between B and B+E but B+E must be documented on the licence if you go abroad. The change was introduced because test facilities couldn’t meet the demand for separate B+E tests during Covid

 

[Woodentop]

Having a Karoq 2L 150TDi SportLine (manual) I can advise that it is a good solid towcar and can achieve amazing mpg.
Technically, if it wasn't ordered as a new vehicle with towing (as mine wasn't) then to keep Skoda happy it will need an oil cooler fitted and the radiator updated to twin fans. We tow a Bailey U4 Seville uprated to 1450kg MTPLM and have no problems with the engine getting too hot. We had a Westfalia detachable bar fitted with the VAG wiring including the extra for fridge and charging. All in cost £760.

 

[manuelverges]

That’s right. The UK no longer differentiates between B and B+E but B+E must be documented on the licence if you go abroad. The change was introduced because test facilities couldn’t meet the demand for separate B+E tests during Covid

Oh wow, that's awesome. I will try that and if that works, I can get for sure a good car for towing 1574kg

 

[otherclive]

Having a Karoq 2L 150TDi SportLine (manual) I can advise that it is a good solid towcar and can achieve amazing mpg.
Technically, if it wasn't ordered as a new vehicle with towing (as mine wasn't) then to keep Skoda happy it will need an oil cooler fitted and the radiator updated to twin fans. We tow a Bailey U4 Seville uprated to 1450kg MTPLM and have no problems with the engine getting too hot. We had a Westfalia detachable bar fitted with the VAG wiring including the extra for fridge and charging. All in cost £760.

Was yours upgraded post delivery for an oil cooler and twin fans by the Skoda dealership?