What makes a good towcar?

[Rich]

OK.....

I am happy with the one I have but reading many posts and opinions on cars I want to know what you all think make a good towcar. I know it needs to be a match with the van so I am not asking basic questions. I want to know about power, economy, handling and anything else you think make a good car for towing.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello rich,

You pose a very broad question, and there will be different criteria, depending largely on personal preferences.

I use a W registered Renault Grande Espace, 2.2dt. The Renault is large, but I need it for several different reasons.

 

[Garfield]

The answer to this is different for everyone,

but here goes

Power/economy

I would say 40(turbo diesel)bhp per tonne of the whole outfit is adequate, less is a struggle more is a luxury but if you do a lot of towing a 2.5 engine will use little or no more fuel when towing compared to a 2.0.

handling

Generally any characteristic of the vehicle that helps it resist being influenced by the trailer is good ie

weight.

A small rear overhang reduces the leverage available.

Stiff, well damped suspension and low profile tyres are every bit as important as weight.

A very crude measure would be to apply a lateral force of, say 100kg to the tow ball of the vehicle, the less the towball moves, the better the stability

Four wheel drive

The higher the weight ratio of van to car and the more you tow, the more likely you are to need it

I'm off t'bed now

 

[Rich]

I do know it is a broad question and there will be loads of differing opinions.

I like the mention of 40 BHP per tonne but what about torque?

What is acceptable MPG for you and your outfit?

Is there anything to be careful of either with basic design like overhang or car weight distribution or actual design of a car like placement of the tow ball and spare wheel or rear door/hatch opening?

 

[Steve L]

A good tow car is one that satisfies all your needs.

One could say that a Landrover would make a good tow car which would be right, but it would also make a lousy car to park in the town centre. Then on the other hand a smart car would be just right to go shopping but useless at towing a family sized four berth caravan.

What people have to do is weigh up all the pro's and con's and then make a choice.

My criteria was as follows.

Having had 15 Renaults over 25 Years and not had spend more than

 

[MAM]

I think you need to ask yourself if you are looking for a car for towing or a car - that you sometimes tow with.

Most of us use the car in day to day life and do not just keep it for time away with the caravan. When I'm towing I often wish I had a large 4X4 - but during the majority of my driving, I'm glad I'm in a low down saloon car. I have a petrol car that returns lousy MPG when towing but is okay for normal use. I arranged to test drive a Discovery but cancelled after a long solo journey where I enjoyed the cornering of a conventional rear-wheel drive car.

So in summary, the ideal car for me is one that under non-towing conditions is light, low-down and fast and then when towing, increases it's weight and switches to diesel.

 

[ed1]

hello all, in reply to mam, you can have just that, i tow with a discovery 3, (diesel),and when not towing i can if i wish, use my audi tt, so thats your small , light, and fast,....so we choose the discovery for towing and find it the best tow car we have had in nearly 20 years of towing, take care all, ED

 

[emmerson2]

What makes a good towcar? Range Rover!

(stands back and waits for the flak!)

 

[DavidW1]

Horses for courses and for me it has to be the heaviest most powerful I can afford - currently a 3.5 GDI Shogun.

I hear the argument about practicality but agin my solution is a small car for everyday use and the towcar for exactly that, a towcar.

Can't be doing with compromises - I want my towcar to be able to tow almost anything almost anywhere as the saying goes and your Mondeos, Hondas or Vectras just can't cut it.

 

[Rich]

I did say I know there are many things which can be considered. I see loads of 4X4's which tow not only larger twin axle vans but smaller ones like I have. I have a 1.9 Renault Scenic RX4, yes it is the 4x4 version, but it has a smaller engine and pulls the van easily with a chipped 140BHP and we have had between 31 and 36 MPG when towing. I just want to know if we are missing something. Our friends have had a Mitsubishi Shogun and are now driving a Land Rover discovery. For me it seems like overkill as it is heavy and has a poor MPG and when solo it is not much quicker off the mark than our little Renault.

But here is the thing as we will need a newer car and towing will be important I was thinking about what we actually need. Our options will be possibly a new Mitsubishi Outlander or the new Renault Koleos which will be out for next year. Both are 4X4 but the biggest engine size is the Mitsubishi at 2.2 litres. Although the Koleos has been quoted as having the highest power output at 180BHP. They are both different in practice so any opinions which help us choose a car which makes towing better, easier or just more comfortable would help us as van owners who are looking for their first car which has towing as its main reason for us to buy.

 

[Rich]

DavidW.... Why cant a mondeo or similar cut it? Does our little Renault fit into the same bracket? We have not had any issues towing and the fuel ecconomy is brilliant at 31MPG + the only real annoying problem is the low rear door mounted spare wheel which makes hitching and un-hitching awkward.

 

[DavidW1]

Rich,

That they can't cut it is a personal observation based on my experience having previously towedwith such vehicles.

Weight of over two tons and oodles of power and torque are my starting base, you simply cannot beat the confidence and acomplishment that a vehicle in that class brings to towing.

My current van tips in at just under 1.5 tonnes and for sure I don't need the size of vehicle that I use but it sure makes the job a breese. Hill starts on 1 in 5 slopes, muddy fields, motorway cruising at max lawful, super aceleration from standing and with all with ease.

That's what does it for me anyway and looking round a lot of the sites I stay at I see quite a few people aggree with me judging by the numbers of Discos, Shoguns, Sorentos and Jeeps about

 

[Rich]

DavidW. Thanks for the response. That is what I am asking as although we are quite new to caravaning I have been towing raceing motorcycles and Karts for years and this is the biggest thing we have had to pull. So as our car was a match we did not worry too much. I am happy with our car as solo I can get upto 50MPG or average low 40's in day to day use. But I just want to know what I am missing with the cars many of you use compared to our little 1.9 Renault. So when we buy new we are more clued up.

 

[MalcolmL]

Like DavidW, I, too, have a tow car weighing in at over two tonnes for a 'van whose MTPML is 1500kg and can confirm that towing is effortless. It is also an automatic and, if you have never tried towing with an auto 'box, do try it! There is no lurching when the gear changes take place, just smooth acceleration at all times. There are some folk who are prejudiced against 4*4 but think of them as tall estate cars. I considered an Audi allroad but I couldn't get two bikes and two Labradors in the luggage area so we bought another tall 4*4. It is a slightly more powerful version of my previous car so I know it will tow brilliantly.

 

[WilliamTups]

I agree with a few of the other postings, during my 10 years towing experience the 4x4 has always been a better choice as a tow car and whilst we have the luxury and need for being a two car family, we chose to have a small town car (cheap and green plus its diesel and

 

[WilliamTups]

I agree with a few of the other postings, during my 10 years towing experience the 4x4 has always been a better choice as a tow car and whilst we have the luxury and need for being a two car family, we chose to have a small town car (cheap and green plus its diesel and

 

[Lutz]

An ideal towcar may not be the ideal car for your particular needs. Most people have to make compromises somewhere, usually compromises based on cost, sometimes on size.

During the last few years I have been towing with a 4x4 Monterey, which kind of fits into the category of ideal towcars. However, as I am using the caravan less than before, I no longer saw the justification for such a heavy and relatively thirsty towcar and I have now swapped it for something right at the other end of the scale, a Meriva which works out at just under 100% weight ratio. But it's a compromise that I have taken. Of course it's not ideal, but it does the job.

ps: It is hardly surprsing that a 4x4 suffers less from increased fuel consumption when towing because in general the frontal area is not much less than the frontal area of the caravan and the consequent aerodynamic drag is therefore comparable, too.

 

[benny1]

the best tow car is one that is the safest one and not one that just about dose the job. the 80% rule is there for a reson so why do peple push it to 100%

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

What makes a good tow car, whatever suits your useage and what you choose.

We've towed with Fords, Austin/Rover, WW/Audi, Volvo,Vauxhall/Opel, Mercedes, Land Rover and Peugeot to name a few.

Your car choice, number of occupants in the car and their ages are a factor along with your physical characteristics.

Day to day use of the vehicle and annual caravanning mileage and the sort of caravanning destination and site choices can also be factored in.

We've used two Meriva hire cars and both found the driver pedals very uncomfortable and no way would I want it as tow car but Lutz is obviously happy with his choice and it suits his life style. We've had various 4 x 4 offerings but some we wouldn't touch again.

We have an Audi now that seats 7 has a nice look and is very very comfortable reliable and well finished and combines good diesel economy and good performance with great towing power and we've just ordered the latest version.

It suits what we want and our family life style and fits our comfort and driving choices.

At present it is my ideal tow car but probably not many other peoples.

It's the same with caravan choice and the pro's and cons of fixed beds and washroom layouts. You suck it and see and hope that the choice you make is your ideal when in use.

James

 

[Rich]

Benny,

Our car does match at 85% but it has a smaller engine than most of the 4x4 cars we see towing similar spec and size vans. I just see people talk about getting mid to low 20's for economy and thought there must be a reason why people put up with such poor fuel consumption when our car matches with weight and we get mid to low 30's.

We do have problems when leveling if we want to use the ramp type blocks due to the spare rear wheel on the back door making it almost imopssible to put the hand brake on and un-hitch. So due to this and a few small compromises we are looking at a new car for next year.

So with the wealth of experience here I thought we may find some helpful advice in looking at requirements and things we may over look.

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

Rich

In the past we towed a large twin axle with estate cars and had good fuel consumption and have had 4 x 4 drivers towing smaller vans mocking our choice. We never had problems with weather or traction and our only off roading was 4 or 5 meters from campsite roads much the same as many other caravanners be they car or 4 x 4 drivers.

Now we often caravan with six largish adults and two dogs, are car choice is based with that in mind and we tow a heavy Elddis.

If you explained you useage and the type of caravan you use and your present car may be somebody will give you some good advice.

Budget is another consideration, somebody happy towing your style of caravan on a Mondeo budget is not likely to buy a new Disco 3 evcen if it was the best tow car for them.

James

 

[benny1]

well then in my expereance an auto thay are just so relaxing whitch means when i get to site your not worn out by the jurny whitch makes for a better holiday

 

[Rich]

Hi Ria & James,

OK fari point.....

OK we have a 2 berth Abbey which is rated at 1295KG maximum so it is not too large at 21 feet overall length.

Our present car as I have mentioned is a Renault Scenic RX4 which is 4 wheel driven. We have it because we live in the country (JUST) and our road is used by farm vehicles and is not looked after too well so the car gets muddy when we have rain and in winter the road never gets gritted so ice and snow do not get cleared at all. We also use it to go to a cottage which we have the use of in wales which has no real access for a normal car if the weather closes in and the drive is steeper than many cars can cope with if it rains and becomes muddy. It is all easy 4x4 stuff so diff locks and the like are not needed as it is not climbing rock faces and the like. But we do want some 4x4 capability so a "soft Road" 4x4 is what we are looking at.

Budget is about

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

I thonk you have answered your own question Rich. ( sorry, I missed that you has posted your car type)

Weight wise yours in not a huge caravan and your car type suits your other uses re local use an your getaway pad.

I know that a Disco will beat my Q7 over rutted flooded fields and along rocky dry river beds and secluded valley tracks but it would never ever be used in that way. Its 4 wheel drive suits our needs in a way similar to yours but we need a big car that will carry six or seven as we used to travel with two cars and now only use one with my parents or Ria's with us.

I guess yor only issue is yuors cars power out put as you've had the Renault chipped. Similar sized car with 4 wheel drive capability thus giving you good economy again but with a little more power seems fine, Disco or Mitsubishi would probably be over kill for you I guess.

How about the new Honda CRV Diesel, reasonable 4x4 content and it has a Towing Stability gizmo built in to it and good economy and 138 hp.

 

[Lutz]

the best tow car is one that is the safest one and not one that just about dose the job. the 80% rule is there for a reson so why do peple push it to 100%

As I'm probably doing only between 5 and 10 percent of my annual mileage towing it seemed silly to buy a car with towing as the primary purpose in mind.