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Subject Topic: 6 seat tow car capable of carrying bikes
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PersonChambers83
06/6/2013 at 9:00am
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Hi, I am new to this site so hope this is the right place.

We are a family of 6 (4 children aged 8-13) and had a Nissan Pathfinder (08) which was more than capable of towing our Swift Celeste 19/6 (derivative of Charisma 570 from 2004).

Unfortunately the car was stolen this week and so we now need to replace the car at relatively short notice. Our main concern with the Pathfinder was the fuel economy.

We need a car capable of carrying 6 adults (bearing in mind we intend on keeping the car for some time. We also do quite a bit of cycling so would want the car to be capable of carrying 6 bikes. With the Pathfinder we had 3 on the roof and 3 on a tow bar rack.

Our budget will to a great extent depend on the insurance valuation of the Pathfinder but we are hoping for a car in the region of £20k that is 1-3 years old.

We would really appreciate any views and suggestions.


PersonOpensauce
06/6/2013 at 9:33am
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Sounds like a Ford Galaxy 2 or 2.2 litre diesel might do the job. Plenty of these about in Ford main dealers & the big chains like Lookers can locate one around the country if you need one quick. Only problem would be the amount of bikes. 3 on the back as well as caravan requires high noseweight limit so you might need to go for another 4x4. Whatever car you chose you need to ensure gross train weight limit, ie weight of car/caravan together is sufficient for load you are carrying.


Personshelleybobs
06/6/2013 at 9:39am
 Location: South Yorkshire
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We have a Seat Alhambra on an 08 plate. Great towcar but they changed the shape a couple of years ago so not sure how they compare. I don't think you would have a problem with ours carrying 6 adults and 6 bikes, not sure about the new ones shape wise. Might be worth a gander

Bad news about the pathfinder though, there are some gutter snipes about!


Personbobsbabes
06/6/2013 at 9:56am
 Location: Shropshire
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We have a Hyundai i800 great tow car with loads of space

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Personcolinlob
06/6/2013 at 10:50am
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We have an i800 too. How have you got bikes on to it please? We thought it was great too until it blew an oil seal and left us at the side of the road in France. It is still great, but with a bit less confidence than we had. Still, tows well, but we are trying to work out how to get six bikes on our outfiit too! Thanks


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Person664DaveS
06/6/2013 at 10:53am
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Latest Sorentos are 7 seat and have roof bars as well as split seats. They are good towcars and economical.

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PersonjamesA114
06/6/2013 at 12:35pm
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Santa fe is good even even with 6 seats up (rear seat are full size too) I carry 4 bikes on the roof easily as well.


PersonChambers83
06/6/2013 at 5:58pm
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Thanks all for your ideas. The i800 is a new one to me and certainly looks like a lot of car for not much money. Is there a compromise somewhere in terms of interior spec or features?

We previously owned a Galaxy but found that one (02 plate 1.9 diesel) struggled a bit but see the newer models have some larger engine options so it may well be worth another look at this

Our bikes on the Pathfinder were mounted using Halfords bike racks and Thule bars onto the integral rails. This worked fine with only problem being getting the bikes up there! The other 3 were mounted into a rack that fitted into a bracket that was fitted as part of the tow bar bracket and comfortably carried 3 bikes although hitching/in hitching
could be problematical at times.

You are not wrong Shelleybobs gutter snipes is though more generous than some of the things we have called them this week!

Thanks again for your thoughts being a first timer I was not sure what to expect but am pleasantly surprised with so many replies so quickly.


PersonSkoda Bob
07/6/2013 at 1:42am
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Put the 3 smallest bikes in the van, just turn the handle bars so they face the frames put them in and put a blanket over them


PersonjamesA114
07/6/2013 at 9:35am
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The santa fe auto only has 80kgs nose weight so you can't put bikes on the back as well as a caravan. You will struggle doing that way unless you have a car like the pathfinder, disc, landcruiser which have 150kg nose weights. I carry a 2 step aluminium ladder to put bikes on roof and it makes putting the awning up easier too. You would only need to put 2 bikes in the van and 4 on top


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PersonChambers83
07/6/2013 at 10:52am
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Thanks JamesA114

Would a Santa Fe in your opinion carry 6 bikes without the caravan split between roof and the back? Good idea re the step ladder as well.

Thank you


PersonjamesA114
07/6/2013 at 2:28pm
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I can get 4 bikes on the roof and have a 4 bike towbar rack to use when not towing so could carry 8 but only 7 people! I prefer the bikes on the roof as it is easy with the ladder but does affect mpg. Easy to put them on the back though but a little fiddly getting them to fit. In short you can easily carry 6. the 7 seat option also has self levelling suspension to.


Personbobsbabes
07/6/2013 at 4:20pm
 Location: Shropshire
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Quote: Originally posted by colinlob on 06/6/2013
We have an i800 too. How have you got bikes on to it please? We thought it was great too until it blew an oil seal and left us at the side of the road in France. It is still great, but with a bit less confidence than we had. Still, tows well, but we are trying to work out how to get six bikes on our outfiit too! Thanks


We put 3 inside ( cheating maybe ) and three on strappy on the back type it only just fits but it does go
We have upgraded the weight plate on our 'van so also have the option of putting a couple in there if need be.

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Personbobsbabes
07/6/2013 at 4:24pm
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Only thing with the Santa Fe is the lack of boot space when carrying 6 people .
I'm sure you could put bikes on the roof of the i800 might need a ladder though!

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Personsean o broin
07/6/2013 at 10:26pm
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I carry a 2 step aluminium ladder to put bikes on roof and it makes putting the awning up easier too. You would only need to put 2 bikes in the van and 4 on
Would you not just use the step for the caravan


PersonBignose+jo
08/6/2013 at 7:36pm
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Bad luck mate!
We have a Kia Sedona for five of us.
I put four bikes on the roof - Thule roof bars and bike holders - and a fifth bike in the back after taking two rear seats out. You could get two inside, but we'd have to load more of our junk into the van.
Only two wheel drive, but it has been a good tow car.
Hope you get sorted soon with something you like.



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