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Topic: Need a new tow car, thoughts please

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clbewi

26/7/2015 at 9:06am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017

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Looking to buy a fairly new tow car.

In the running so far are;

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee

2. shogun

3. BMW X5

We need something fairly heavy as towing Swift Conqueror 645 twin axle.

I thinking more towards the Jeep, test driving one tomorrow. Just wondered if anyone tows with any of the above and your thoughts please, pros and cons.

Thanks

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Claire and Colin

tango55

26/7/2015 at 12:08pm
Location: Lichfield
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Number 1 is American, number 2 is Japanese and number 3 is German. If it was me I would tend to opt for the Japanese every time mainly for reliability reasons that's unless you are an idle driver and don't like using indicators then the BMW fits the bill perfectly.

GCMS2012

26/7/2015 at 12:17pm
Location: Northumberland
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Volvo XC90??

What's your caravan's weights etc??

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tango55

26/7/2015 at 12:32pm
Location: Lichfield
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Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 26/7/2015
Volvo XC90??

What's your caravan's weights etc??

Now that's what I call an excellent choice.

clbewi

26/7/2015 at 12:42pm
Location: Essex
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Caravan 1800kg?

We did think of that but OH thinks it's a bit tight on the weight.

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Claire and Colin

tango55

26/7/2015 at 1:01pm
Location: Lichfield
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The Volvo XC90 has a kerbweight of 2130 kgs. so 1800 kgs. MTPLM would give a match of 84.5% which looks perfect to me.

Volvo XC90 Specifications

And

Percentage Calculator

GCMS2012

26/7/2015 at 3:43pm
Location: Northumberland
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 26/7/2015

Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 26/7/2015Volvo XC90??

What's your caravan's weights etc??

Now that's what I call an excellent choice.

Why thank you.

As for the Shogun...???

It's what I've got at the mo, and would I have another?

At the moment, I'm in the 'not sure' frame of mind, because if you like rust, it's the car for you...

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clbewi

26/7/2015 at 4:59pm
Location: Essex
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Thanks for the replies

Will look into XC90 but OH still not convinced there will be enough torque.

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Claire and Colin

Skoda Bob

26/7/2015 at 5:37pm
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Quote: Originally posted by clbewi on 26/7/2015Thanks for the replies

Will look into XC90 but OH still not convinced there will be enough torque.

Well go into nag overdrive

Sorry ill get my coat LOL

GCMS2012

26/7/2015 at 6:31pm
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You're into 4x4 towing territory so I can't see why not...

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tango55

26/7/2015 at 6:45pm
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Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 26/7/2015

You're into 4x4 towing territory so I can't see why not...

I totally agree plus Volvo has a good reputation for being a good towing vehicle as well, that's why I eventually changed to a Volvo myself. I spoke to a lot of people who tow with them both in the saloon/estate and 4x4 class and nobody I have spoken to has had a problem with torque delivery because with over 200 lbs./ft. of torque on the XC90 I would of thought would be ample.
Due to the weight of my caravan I don't need a 4x4 vehicle but if I did, the the Volvo range would be my first choice of vehicle because of the excellent feedback from the caravanners who tow with them.

tonyv8power

28/8/2015 at 2:03pm
Location: Herts. UK
Outfit: Bailley Cartagena. Land Rover Discover

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Hi Clbewi
We tow with Shogun 3.2 DiD manual gearbox. This week we changed from a single axle Cadiz to a twin axle Cartagena. The distance back to the storage site was a drive of around 90 miles mainly motorway. We got 24 mpg towing versus 32 mpg sans van.
We have done some research to replace the Shogun and our ideal choice would have to be the TDV6 Disco.........massive torque......massive price though! We would settle for another Shogun but the new SG2,3 and 4 are no longer made for our market with manual gearbox and at this time I have not test driven auto with the van attached. I understand the 2015 Shoguns have a modified version of my engine with less emmissions thus lowering the VED sub £300.
Good hunting
TV8P

vespa 494

28/8/2015 at 3:50pm
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XC90.

geoff+emmy

30/8/2015 at 3:16pm
Location: Huddersfield
Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander

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We tow our Conqueror 645 with a Jeep Commander(same as the Cherokee but different dress) And its been fine We get around 19 MPG with the van on and maybe 25/27 without

Ray Clayton

30/8/2015 at 3:53pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4

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Disco most problems of the disco 3 was sorted by the end of 2006 great car and can tow all vans out there with no probem.

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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

Gram

30/8/2015 at 4:05pm
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Never tried one, but after reading about this trip (it can be found in trip reports, "Arctic Circle Return 2015"), I think a Volvo might be a good pick - it's just getting the model to match your van in regards to weight....

Gram

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