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Subject Topic: Why 4x4 for towing caravan?
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PersonA900ss
28/6/2015 at 5:08pm
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Can somebody explain to me why a 4x4 is sought after for towing?

if you have a large estate car of a similar weight to a 4x4, surely it will have a lower centre of gravity and therefore be more stable towing that a higher cog of a 4x4. I accept a 4x4 would tow a caravan out of a muddy field better but for on road, I'd that though a heavy estate car would be better.

I'd love to hear peoples comments.

(PS - I am comparing similar weight vehicles, not a lighter estate car as I accept a heavier car is better)


Personclbewi
28/6/2015 at 5:29pm
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I don't know of an estate car that would be heavy enough to pull our Swift!

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Claire and Colin


Persondiesel steve
28/6/2015 at 5:40pm
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i have an adria weighing 1800kgs and i could not find an estate car large enough or heavy enough for my needs. had a toyota land cruiser before which would tow 3.5 tons. no estate car could tow anything like that weight and be safe


PersonA900ss
28/6/2015 at 5:45pm
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Ok, point taken for larger vans.

For this example, let's assume we have an 1850kg estate car and a 1850kg 4x4.

I'm new to this and want o ensure my car is ok for a medium sized 4 berth van. Current car is BWM 5 series touring but it's due for renewal soon. Other cars on my list (company car) is a Volvo XC60 which is similar weight but more company car tax and probably a worse drive when solo.

I do 25/30k miles a year solo so am very keen on keeping the current 'car' benefits.

Post last edited on 28/06/2015 17:57:44


Personbilly
28/6/2015 at 5:49pm
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It is only larger SUVs nowadays that are heavy enough to tow largest touring caravans. The days of large estates and saloons are over except for likes of larger Mercs, Beemers and Jags which would probably do job but caravanners usually do not buy those types of car so you don't really see them towing caravans.

You are also underestimating muddy fields. Not much point driving all the way to campsite and then being unable to get on or off your pitch which is why a 4x4 will always be better than large 2wd.


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Personbilly
28/6/2015 at 5:57pm
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If its a company car and you have choice of 2wd drive or 4wd then its just a choice of possibly getting stuck on a wet campsite pitch or not. If you are only off caravanning in France in summer go for 2wd but if you are going all weather in UK you might be glad of the 4x4.


Personjanus
28/6/2015 at 5:57pm
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23 years towing all with FWD large cars, never come across this muddy field that everyone speaks of. Been on lots of simple grass meadows with no electrics or facilities, never come across a muddy one though.



-------------
Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci


PersonDavid Klyne
28/6/2015 at 5:58pm
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I always found towing with a 4X4, especially if automatic very relaxing. You have a high driving position which gives you a better view of what is around you. 4X4's are not built for speed so tend to have more low end grunt. Also handy in wet conditions. Never had the option to have a company car so I chose very carefully

David


PersonA900ss
28/6/2015 at 5:59pm
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Good point.

My current thinking is weekends away in the UK mostly however next year we'd forfeit the 'flyaway' family holiday and have a week in Frmace instead (to help pay for the van! :-))


PersonA900ss
28/6/2015 at 6:00pm
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Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 28/6/2015
I always found towing with a 4X4, especially if automatic very relaxing. You have a high driving position which gives you a better view of what is around you. 4X4's are not built for speed so tend to have more low end grunt. Also handy in wet conditions. Never had the option to have a company car so I chose very carefully

David



All the cars on my list are auto.


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Personlisterdiesel
28/6/2015 at 6:24pm
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We tow a lot, all year round, and it hasn't got to be a muddy field at all, even a shower of rain on grass can make it difficult.

The other aspect is the ratings, Discoveries have a towball weight rating of 250kg and a maximum towing weight of 3500kg. That covers anything you are likely to need, anywhere.

Handling a heavy 'van needs a stable towing platform. The Discovery 2 weighs just over 2.2 tonnes and is one of the best towcars around.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but we've had a V8 on LPG for over 5 years and we do 15000 miles a year, towing and solo.

Here we are in Holland at the beginning of June:



Peter


PersonGraeme_Cooke
28/6/2015 at 6:56pm
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We had E Class estate with a kerb weight of 1834kg. To the best of my knowledge it was the heaviest estate you could get. It wasn't a great tow car though despite the weight. We have a Santa Fe now which is almost 150 Kg more and really stable. It is 2WD unless it needs 4 and then it switches automatically. For us it was the best compromise and so far I get 30mpg whilst towing which is great. I drives well solo too and returns a respectable 40mpg.


Personalpiner
28/6/2015 at 7:16pm
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The big disadvantage of a large estate car is the overhand distance from the cars axle and the tow ball.
the larger the overhand the more unstable the outfit becomes.
The car can have loads of power and tow easily but would not be as stable as the 4x4s as in Peters and Graemes post above.
I have towed with all types of cars over the years but the 4x4 has been the most stable and had the most control over the caravan.

-------------
alpiner


PersonDelainy
28/6/2015 at 7:36pm
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As Listerdiesel, I also tow with a Discovery 2 and won't swop until I can afford a Discovery 4..


PersonRay Clayton
28/6/2015 at 7:50pm
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2007 Discovery 3 se for me.

Wish it was still my old 110, best towcar i ever had, the 3 is good all round for space and power, just that you need to keep on top of them all the time.

 



-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







PersonTaylor56
28/6/2015 at 8:08pm
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We have seen quite a few caravans rescued off wet,muddy or snow covered sites by tractor or 4x4.We always tow with one and very glad we do. It also comes in very useful in the winter as we live up North the Pennines.



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