What would you Tow With?

EuroTrotters

EuroTrotters

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Not motorhome related.

So, you need to tow a big Caravan, 1,800Kg upwards )maybe as big as 2,800Kg.

We need a tow vehicle that does not require "re-genning". As it will be used a lot on short trips. So I guess that rules out Diesel.

I do have a Mercedes Sprinter Auto that will tow big loads, but need a car.

Also, needs to be a real Automatic.

So.......

Pre Euro IV if Diesel
Rear, AWD or 4X4
Powerful enough to tug well
Automatic
Reliable
7/8 Seat preferred
My thoughts are Toyota/Mitzy ?

Any thoughts please?

(oh and sub 15K)

TM
 
Difficult to find a petrol one. My Discovery fits all your requirements except its diesel At one time in the past they did produce a petrol one but it didn't sell well no doubt due to its appalling fuel economy I think it used a Jaguar 4.2L engine. The diesel one is bad enough on short runs, I get only about 23mpg mainly on dog walkng trips.
 
TeeMyob said:
Not motorhome related.

So, you need to tow a big Caravan, 1,800Kg upwards )maybe as big as 2,800Kg.
Click to expand...

TM,

We had the same challenge when we were looking at buying the large Airstream (684/Colorado) which had an MTPLM of 2,680kg.

The Airstream owners of UK-specific rigs use a variety of vehicles but if it were me then I would opt for an L322 Diesel Rangey; a older style RR Diesel Sport or a large Landcruiser but that's because of their towing ability and their top end hitch weight allowance.

The smaller Airstream (534/Missouri) has an MTPLM of circa 1.8T so your choice of suitable vehicles increase exponentially.

All the best,

Andrew

Edit: A Disco-4 seems a popular vehicle too.
 
My 2010 land rover discovery 4 3.0 diesel did not have a dpf on it and could tow upto 3500kg one of only a few vehicles capable of this

Sold it now but I towed my 3500kg Ifor Williams trailer with it a lot and with heavy stuff at max weight

It was a superb vehicle for this
 
Hyundai Terracan. switchable 4wd, tows 3,5t, auto comes with factory add on gearbox oil cooler. can obtain 40 mpg when not towing
 
Range Rover V8 supercharged , effortless :)

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This is just my take on things but if you intend to tow a 2.8T caravan then you need a vehicle with a bit of weight about it to help stabilise the rig while on hills etc.

Also, there are a whole load of modern 4x4s out there that have a 3.5T towing designation but some of them weigh in the region of 1.7 and 1.8T and only have a maximum hitch weight of between 100 and 120kg. The large 2.7T Airstream, as an example, requires a 150kg hitch weight and that's needed for a reason IMO.

The Airstream guys love the old style Rangey, Sport and Disco because they are all solid metal lumps but, aside from that, they all have a 150kg hitch weight; the only better example than this is a Ford Ranger Wildtrak which has a 170kg hitch after the correct towball system is fitted plus a kerb weight of c.2.3T with all of the options list onboard, incl the hardtop rear canopy.

Cheers,

Andrew
 
Mercedes Viano Japanese import. Big engine petrol, rwd, 7 or 8 seats. Not sure what towing weight it can handle.
 
My disco was very reliable only one issue turbo control solenoid failed after 2 years done under warrenty I had it for 8 years and did 80k miles in it but I know where your coming from some are terrible

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Chrysler 300c.....3ltr V6 merc engine, full auto box, RWD, 2250kg gross, 4250kg train.

Towed our 1800kg twin axle caravan as easily as towing my little 750kg box trailer. Only seats five though.
 
It'd be diesel, we have a Mercedes R-Class, auto, 4x4, uber reliable & 265bhp with oodles of torque.
Its used on short runs all the time & has never missed a beat.
 
T
pappajohn said:
Chrysler 300c.....3ltr V6 merc engine, full auto box, RWD, 2250kg gross, 4250kg train.

Towed our 1800kg twin axle caravan as easily as towing my little 750kg box trailer. Only seats five though.
Click to expand...
hat will be a Merc then
 
Our current car is brilliant -tows 3500kgs with reasonable ease, very comfortable lots of room but will take off like a sports car - 2008 ML420 4 litre V8 diesel twin turbos mated to 7G box. easy enough to get a good one for less than £15k and the computer says it does 30mpg on the motorway.

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I once owned an Isuzu Bighorn Lotus (Trooper import, also known as a Honda Horizon), with an auto box and economy or sport selection modes (diesel). It could tow a truck, and was the best towing vehicle I owned. I had used several as a towing instructor, including a Land Rover County 110, but the Bighorn was the best. (y)

@TeeMyob. Good luck finding the right vehicle Trevor, with the correct power to weight ratio. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
You could go the whole hog and get an old euro 5 Volvo tractor unit. They are cheap as chips now as they all want euro 6 motors. No trouble towing with that. Haha
 
Watch the length. If the caravan is over 7m long then legally your tow vehicle must have a gvw of over 3.5T in the UK irrespective of permitted towing weight!
 
Landrover, ours is now 10 years old and never had an issue with its reliability.

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