Economical 4x4 for work use & towing~1.6t

puddleduck_19

Hello
I am looking for a vehicle for the following specific uses:
Company mileage (<2000miles/mnth) (farm tracks/fields/country lanes/normal roads)(Farm vet car)
Towing one horse & trailer (approx 1.6t) local & long distance....which is as economical as possible and reliable.

My requirements have unexpectedly changed and I need to replace my R reg L Rover disco due to fuel costs & likelihood of high maintenence costs (alternator went today as a starting point, only had it 5 weeks!).

Opinions on vehicles around would be appreciated, the potential to research this seems endless, thought I'd try a forum alongside. Many thanks.

MrsE_2

I got a Suzuki Grand Vitaria, bought new in 07. Never had any trouble at all with it. Very happy with it.

CKhalvashi

Skoda Octavia Scout

I’ve done muddy fields in my PA’s one, a doddle. One of the best things to do is ask to test drive over a weekend on anything you may be interested in.

I’d also echo post 2, however watch the gearbox after about 80k!

puddleduck_19

I really like the sound of the Scout however although it could tow my horse & trailer, I think that it wouldn't be legal due to the fact the trailer is plated to a maximum capacity of over 2 tonnes therefore whatever vehicle I end up with has to be capable of towing up to that even if I have no intention to. ( I don't want to start a long thread re towing legalities however I need to consider it!) If I'm wrong though that would be good news!

CKhalvashi

puddleduck_19 wrote: »

I really like the sound of the Scout however although it could tow my horse & trailer, I think that it wouldn't be legal due to the fact the trailer is plated to a maximum capacity of over 2 tonnes therefore whatever vehicle I end up with has to be capable of towing up to that even if I have no intention to. ( I don't want to start a long thread re towing legalities however I need to consider it!) If I'm wrong though that would be good news!

That’s a question of which I have no idea as to the legality of.

I’ve spoken to my BP about 10 minutes ago, and he states the company Kugas are legal to tow anything (again, don’t quote me on this, I’ve stayed with an S-Max as I need 7 seats)

It may be worth speaking to a dealer on this. Ani got hers from Trans City (also t/a ‘The Taxi Centre’), however apart from that, as I say, I have no idea!

CK

forgotmyname

I think the KUGA has a towing limit of around 2000kg but kerbweight approx 1600kg is that enough?


Thing about the LR is there are plenty of places that do stuff for them at competitive prices.

Paddocks, Craddocks etc. A few years back i needed a RR (82) clutch slave and ended up at a main dealers thinking its going to be ££££, £38...

marlot

1.6 tonnes is a fair weight, especially horses as they can move around a bit. There's a good reason many horsey types use big 4x4s!

An X-trail or a CR-V might just about be capable.

Hintza

See below the maximum gross weights and unladen weits if the Ifor Williams trailers.

HB403 1600kg 767kg (single box)
HB506 2600kg 920kg
HB511 2700kg 1000kg

I on't know the weight of your horse but take 500kg and a possibe extra 500kg you really probably need to look for something that can tow 2500kg.

If you under spec the tow car you have a big chancethat the gear oil will overheat and that will be the least of your worries.

The CRV will not cut the mustard, my sister borrowed my mother's a couple of yearsago and it was smoking by the time she got home.

You can have a look here http://www.whattowcar.com/. I ave run a few figures and I'm quite surprised at some of the results and would add a bit more grunt for safety margin.

They suggest CRV is good for 1400kg anything over is pushing it.

For the Kuga 1300kg seems about max.

Skoda Scout not on but Skoda suggests max 1600kg braked.

To make it simple the towing weight can be about 85% of vehicle weight but that doesn't really help on a long uphill section.

We are using a Jeep Cherokee for an Ifor Williams HB 506 with currently a 1 hand + a 13 hand pony (but they will get bigger over time). I cry everytime I fill up. Average mpg ex trailer about 24mpg with trailer about 18mpg. Manufacturer states 3500kg limit but 85% brings that down to about 1800kg. I have towed about 3000kg (once) and I sure noticed that weight an wouldn't be keen to do it regularly.

Just found this site:-

http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capacity.asp

Everything in life is a compromise and although the 85% is ideal do not go over 100% or you will be asking for serious trouble in the long term.

Hintza

MrsE wrote: »

I got a Suzuki Grand Vitaria, bought new in 07. Never had any trouble at all with it. Very happy with it.

A Grand Vitara is really not up to the job of 1600kg and pesonally I think you would be pushing it a bit but I am sure hundreds will use similar ratios.

gilbert_and_sullivan

You don't give a budget and who's paying things like VED and business mileage, and can you claim VAT back.

Depending on those answers a twin cab pick up could be the best bet, and you won't get more reliable than a Hilux, or better dealers and makers back up, but they don't come cheap for good reason, you could get a Ranger/Mazda cheaper, do research on other well known makes before you buy, some not so good reading out there.

Fuel consumption wise, anything capable of handling a proper horse trailer will not be economical to drive about in, circa 30mpg driven sensibly not towing and 25 mpg driven sensibly towing, that what my 3 litre auto Hilux did anyway, about standard for the type, older vehicles will be heavier on fuel, remember pick ups are commercials so roughly £210 VED, if you buy a modern 4x4 estate, Landcruiser Shogun or Disco post 06 you will be paying £450 VED.

I wouldn't want to tow a horse trailer with a normal car regardless of its supposed towing weights, its not a softly sprung caravan you're pulling and the violent shaking imposed on the towing vehicle needs something substantial to cope.

worried_jim

would something like this not be suitable-

1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4.0 LIMITED 5DR AUTO + LPG CONVERSION £1,490

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201208451190499/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/lpg/make/jeep/postcode/bn424sn/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

With LPG @ 50.25p a litre.