Tow Car Recommendations

jimjames

My Passat 2.0 TDI was used for towing a caravan for many years with no issues and I've used it to tow cars without problem.

sheslookinhot

At that age the Honda is likely to be the most reliable, if you get a good one with FSH. As said above, the Škoda superb would be a good choice.

Why did you rule out the Volvo V70 ?

twopenny

I'd just like to throw in an add on as I live in a tourist area with narrow roads and the steepest hills in England.

Get a Sat Nav for caravans. They can cost around £60 but save you a fortune in rescue bills. People think they can use a car sat nav and because they are listening to this and not looking at signs that say 'caravan road' or have limits signs they end up in a mess.

The sights I see every year, some scarey, you wouldn't believe. YouTube has a good selection to peoples embarrassment

531063

520d Maybe

daveyjp

Does your use outside of the limited number of times the car will be used for towing suit a diesel?

DPF, EGR faults on older used diesels due to potential lack of use will soon wipe out the modest savings from a higher mpg when towing.

Ibrahim5

Partly depends on your campsites. If you stay on expensive caravan club sites you will tow mainly on tarmac and will be OK with 2wd. If you go to festivals, certificated locations, rallies etc you often have to tow across grass which can be muddy. You then need 4wd. A 2 litre diesel 150bhp mated with a 4wd gives the power and the AWD adds to the weight to give a nice combination. Eg Ford Kuga AWD, Tiguan 4motion, Skoda Karoq 4x4, Superb 4x4, Octavia 4x4. They have good towing weights. The Kuga is 2100kg and the Tiguan 4motion DSG is 2500kg I believe. It's nice to have a bit of margin between your caravans max weight and the cars Max towing weight 

Mildly_Miffed

scaredofdebt said:

Hi, would appreciate any advice please.

I am getting a caravan in the next few months (first time owner) and will need a tow car.  It's going to be 4 berth so likely weight is around 1,500 kgs.

I'd like some advice around tow cars.

I've done some research and have a short list of the following:

VW Touareg
Honda CRV
Ford Mondeo
VW Passatt

That's a right ol' mixed bag of cars. Is the shortlist based on anything other than "for sale very locally"?

Two FWD larger saloon/hatch
One medium FWD/poss 4wd crossover
One big 4x4

I think I'd start by deciding what I actually wanted from the car, so long as it's capable of towing sufficient. You're likely to be much closer to max towing weight than is comfortable on all of those bar the Tuareg, I'd suggest. If you're looking at manual boxes in those, then hill starts could prove very hard work on the clutch.

If you're trying to get a caravan moving on wet grass, then you'll be VERY thankful for four driven wheels on the towcar.

born_again

Many 4WD are not as people expect, full time 4WD, they are just 2WD with other wheels kicking in as slip is picked up by sensors.
Which need the wheels rotating at service time, or you can end up with issues due to different rolling radius on front causing rears to kick in when not needed.

Supatramp

The Touareg would be a bit too big and heavy, a bit over the top, but in the VW camp, look at the Tiguan.

The Superbs are nice cars, but relatively light for their size, again in the VW camp, the Passat would be a better option.

The CRV would be a good option, and at your budget, look at the older 2ltr diesels.  My brother tows a twin-axle Sprite with one, effortlessly.

The Mondeo would be an option, with the right model.

Car weights are a bit of a controversial subject; particularly VWs have a high towing limit, which is over the kerbweight, and as a novice tower, it is vital that you go by the kw. The 85% rule is only a suggestion, not mandatory,  and hasn't  changed for decades.

When looking at caravans, it is essential that you look for damp, especially at your budget, and a damp meter would be a useful tool.

Gam2015

Volkswagen Touareg all day long. See loads on motorways pulling cars on trailers that says it all they are brilliant.