I have a Sorento at the moment that tows my Argente 650-6 (1700kgs). I'm looking to change the car and don't want to get another 4x4. What's out there? I do a lot of business miles.
What Tow Car
- Thread starter tony_5104319
- Start date
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Tony,
1700Kg is a large caravan, and will require a large tow car,
There are several makes and models of car that are legal pull 1700Kg, but in most cases the van will be more than 100% of the car, and certainly more than the 85% recommendation.
There are a few models that you might find of interest
Volvo - V70's:
VW's - Saharan, Passat (Seat Alhambra)
Vauxhall - Signum
Subaru - Forester & Legacy
Renault - Espace
Peugeot - 807
Mercedes - C, E & S class models have quite heavy kerb weights but I do not have MMTW's for them
Jaguar - S & XK model
Ford - Mondeo and Galaxy
Citroen - C5 & C8
BMW - 5 & 7 series
Audi - A4, A6, Allroad, A8
Not all models in the states ranges are rated for 1700Kg towing, and many models will have a kerb weight which is below the MPTLM of the caravan, conversely a few are heavier, and these do tend to be the large engined 4 x4 versions of the car
A very few would keep to the 85% guideline.
Happy hunting
1700Kg is a large caravan, and will require a large tow car,
There are several makes and models of car that are legal pull 1700Kg, but in most cases the van will be more than 100% of the car, and certainly more than the 85% recommendation.
There are a few models that you might find of interest
Volvo - V70's:
VW's - Saharan, Passat (Seat Alhambra)
Vauxhall - Signum
Subaru - Forester & Legacy
Renault - Espace
Peugeot - 807
Mercedes - C, E & S class models have quite heavy kerb weights but I do not have MMTW's for them
Jaguar - S & XK model
Ford - Mondeo and Galaxy
Citroen - C5 & C8
BMW - 5 & 7 series
Audi - A4, A6, Allroad, A8
Not all models in the states ranges are rated for 1700Kg towing, and many models will have a kerb weight which is below the MPTLM of the caravan, conversely a few are heavier, and these do tend to be the large engined 4 x4 versions of the car
A very few would keep to the 85% guideline.
Happy hunting
we have the Grand Cherokee V6 CRD and are well pleased , 215bhp, 510 kn torque and 27 mpg, best move we ever made changing to to te GC.
Tony
After using the Tow car of the year, why would you want to change it for something else?
Is it the MPG? with the large van you are going to pull, from a safety point of view would you not be better off sticking with a 4x4 and trying something else if you want a change from the Kia.
Fouldsy
After using the Tow car of the year, why would you want to change it for something else?
Is it the MPG? with the large van you are going to pull, from a safety point of view would you not be better off sticking with a 4x4 and trying something else if you want a change from the Kia.
Fouldsy
Hi It is the MPG I am currently getting about 23mpg solo wich is costing me when I do bus miles. If I were getting 28-30mpg combined I would not have a problem. I agree sticking with a 4x4 is the best option but the cost with my mpg is an issue
Hi Tony,
I have a 2.5 Touareg. I also know about www.dieselveg.com. I collect my own oil and settle and filter it. I live in the Midlands. It costs me 80p in fuel to go to Edinburgh towing a 1700KG caravan. If thats of interest to you visit the site and read. If you want to know more speak to Clive or Nick at Dieselveg. Hope this helps
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello agian Tony,
I did wonder what you objection to 4x4's was and now I see it is consumption.
I cannot vouch for any the vehicles in the list I gave, except for the Renault Espace, I have a 2000(W reg) 2.2dt Grande version and it does about 32 to 34 solo. The newer 2.2Dci is supposed to be better.
As for towing, it has the weight and and power to cope with a large twin axel box trailer which is often loaded towards the 2 tonne mark, and it copes very well.
There are some down sides to the Renault: You do have to watch the Gross Train weight, which is 3600Kg for my model so a fully laden trailer means no payload or passengers in the car, but it suits my needs, With only a 1700Kg van you should have no real problems.
t doesnt like hill starting on gravel with trailer on the back - but then show me any frontwheel drive vehicel that does.
Solo it drives more like a car than a van, we find it very comfortable and it gives great views out rather like a 4x4.
I am sure other MPVs would also be a reasonable match for your needs.
I did wonder what you objection to 4x4's was and now I see it is consumption.
I cannot vouch for any the vehicles in the list I gave, except for the Renault Espace, I have a 2000(W reg) 2.2dt Grande version and it does about 32 to 34 solo. The newer 2.2Dci is supposed to be better.
As for towing, it has the weight and and power to cope with a large twin axel box trailer which is often loaded towards the 2 tonne mark, and it copes very well.
There are some down sides to the Renault: You do have to watch the Gross Train weight, which is 3600Kg for my model so a fully laden trailer means no payload or passengers in the car, but it suits my needs, With only a 1700Kg van you should have no real problems.
t doesnt like hill starting on gravel with trailer on the back - but then show me any frontwheel drive vehicel that does.
Solo it drives more like a car than a van, we find it very comfortable and it gives great views out rather like a 4x4.
I am sure other MPVs would also be a reasonable match for your needs.
- Mar 14, 2005
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John L put together a useful list of technically possible towcars but he says he didn't have the maximum towloads for Mercedes. Here are the models with a maximum of 1700kg or more:
C230 / C280 / C350
E- and S-Class, all models
A couple of restrictions regarding the Audi apply:
A4, only possible with the 3.2 petrol and 3.0 diesel
A6 not the 2.0 diesel nor the 2.0 or 2.4 petrol (except the 2.4 quattro)
...and the BMW:
not the 523i
Vauxhall: What goes for the Signum generally also applies to the Vectra Estate. However, only the 2.0 Turbo petrol and larger engined variants have a 1700kg or higher max. towload (but beware of the 3.0 diesel automatic!)
C230 / C280 / C350
E- and S-Class, all models
A couple of restrictions regarding the Audi apply:
A4, only possible with the 3.2 petrol and 3.0 diesel
A6 not the 2.0 diesel nor the 2.0 or 2.4 petrol (except the 2.4 quattro)
...and the BMW:
not the 523i
Vauxhall: What goes for the Signum generally also applies to the Vectra Estate. However, only the 2.0 Turbo petrol and larger engined variants have a 1700kg or higher max. towload (but beware of the 3.0 diesel automatic!)
We almost bought a Sorento earlier this year, but after checking several web sites for feed back decided against it, the major factor being the variations in fuel consumption.
Our Grand Cherokee is returning 27 -29mpg on a run solo, 21 - 25 in London traffic and and a 350 mile tow it returned 22mpg this for a vehicle of 510kn which will tow any UK caravan without effort. However the petrol Grand cherokess will reduce your wallet to tears with the fuel consumption.
Our Grand Cherokee is returning 27 -29mpg on a run solo, 21 - 25 in London traffic and and a 350 mile tow it returned 22mpg this for a vehicle of 510kn which will tow any UK caravan without effort. However the petrol Grand cherokess will reduce your wallet to tears with the fuel consumption.
Cheers everyone,
Having looked through the list I'm going to take a look athe the Espace and the Grand Cherokee (will do a good test drive to check the MPG). I'll need to Sell the Sorento first.
Any other suggestions welcome
Having looked through the list I'm going to take a look athe the Espace and the Grand Cherokee (will do a good test drive to check the MPG). I'll need to Sell the Sorento first.
Any other suggestions welcome
Test drive the Grand Cherokee limited V6, thae added extras make it the one to go for. Set the fuel consumption on the computer at the start of the test drive. It is tempting to floor the pedal with all the power available it is not nesisary. Also contrary to some circles the fuel consumption is shown in UK gallons (dealer told us he thought it was US.
Hello Tony
I'm not sure if I've interpretted this correctly, but in our galaxy handbook it says Kerb weight is 1724Kg and we can load the car up to max 2500Kg and when loaded like this it will tow up to 2000kg for a braked trailer.That gives train max of 4500Kg which soounds an awfully heavy load for 130ps -wouldn't like to try a really steep hill like that-but 150ps version may do this very well.
Helen
I'm not sure if I've interpretted this correctly, but in our galaxy handbook it says Kerb weight is 1724Kg and we can load the car up to max 2500Kg and when loaded like this it will tow up to 2000kg for a braked trailer.That gives train max of 4500Kg which soounds an awfully heavy load for 130ps -wouldn't like to try a really steep hill like that-but 150ps version may do this very well.
Helen
hi tony, let us know how the test drive gors with the grand cherokee. we did nt look at them when we bought our 4 x 4 because they didnt pull aswell.but we never test drove so so please let us know.
Thanks Lutz
Hope we don't have to load that much on board though - the mpg might be disaster! But its nice to know it will do it - I'm thinking of one of those extra special wine offers over the channel there
Helen
Hope we don't have to load that much on board though - the mpg might be disaster! But its nice to know it will do it - I'm thinking of one of those extra special wine offers over the channel there
Helen
Tony,
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Kia Sedona. A great towcar, economical for its size and cheap to insure (group 11)
Cheers,
Mark
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Kia Sedona. A great towcar, economical for its size and cheap to insure (group 11)
Cheers,
Mark
Tony
I have a sorento and am very light with my right foot. i try to drive with MPG in mind this being my fourth 4x4. I get about 32 - 35 around town and to work everyday and it dosent drop that much with the van on the back. I know its not PC to have a big 4x4 but i wouldnt go back to a saloon car to tow my big van with.
Martin
I have a sorento and am very light with my right foot. i try to drive with MPG in mind this being my fourth 4x4. I get about 32 - 35 around town and to work everyday and it dosent drop that much with the van on the back. I know its not PC to have a big 4x4 but i wouldnt go back to a saloon car to tow my big van with.
Martin
You could stick with Kia and get a Sedona 2.9 crdi 85% weight 1766kg or a Mazda 6 Estate 2.0 diesel (all wheel drive version)rare but this car is a trade secret to all who have one (they don't tell anyone how good it is) 85% weight 1709kg. All others are 4x4 in your weight category at 85% towing weight.
Hi Tony,
Last year i wanted to change to a sorrento but read bad reports about the mpg so i stayed with Volvo has i had at that time a V70 2.4 Petrol. However 3 mths ago i changed to the V70 Diesel D5 Engine with AWD transmission Kerbweight 1650KG. Solo driving about 40 MPG Caravan on back about 30MPG I tow a twin axle Bailey Senator Montana MTPLW 1700Kg & i have to say its brill.
Maximum towing capabilities is 1800KG
I have the 4wd capabilities but still a car & as its an estate bags of room. I towed my Montana for 2 years with my petrol but this is brilliant.
There are other estate cars AWD systems to choose from
Best Regards
David
Last year i wanted to change to a sorrento but read bad reports about the mpg so i stayed with Volvo has i had at that time a V70 2.4 Petrol. However 3 mths ago i changed to the V70 Diesel D5 Engine with AWD transmission Kerbweight 1650KG. Solo driving about 40 MPG Caravan on back about 30MPG I tow a twin axle Bailey Senator Montana MTPLW 1700Kg & i have to say its brill.
Maximum towing capabilities is 1800KG
I have the 4wd capabilities but still a car & as its an estate bags of room. I towed my Montana for 2 years with my petrol but this is brilliant.
There are other estate cars AWD systems to choose from
Best Regards
David
John L mentions the Vauxhall Signum in his list of possibles. I have a 2.2DTi one of these and tow with it. Excellent relaxed motorway cruising and the slightly stiffer suspension set-up means no horrors on A-class roads.
On a motorway, at 60mph, with the cruise control on, I have averaged 42 mpg.
The weight of your van would give a % figure of approx 103% when matched with a Signum.
I think something like a BMW 5 series is nearer the mark.
David
On a motorway, at 60mph, with the cruise control on, I have averaged 42 mpg.
The weight of your van would give a % figure of approx 103% when matched with a Signum.
I think something like a BMW 5 series is nearer the mark.
David
The BMW 5 series (the E39 - not present shape) makes a very good towcar, especially in diesel form. The 530D touring has a kerb weight of 1780kg so it could cope with a van weighing 1700kg, but it's not going to make the 85% rule. It has plenty of power and returns 35mpg solo and not much less towing. It also knocks the spots off most other vehicles when it comes to driving experience and luxury.
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