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Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010

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Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.

We currently use a passat TDi which we find to be a good stable car and economical to run. Have never needed 4 wheel drive. Before the passat we used a 406 3 ltr petrol which was a superb towcar but enjoyed a drink a little too much.

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Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 04/3/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010

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Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.

We currently use a passat TDi which we find to be a good stable car and economical to run. Have never needed 4 wheel drive. Before the passat we used a 406 3 ltr petrol which was a superb towcar but enjoyed a drink a little too much.

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Modern 4x4s as has already been stated are as economical as many other cars. Mine did 39mpg on a 60 mile run home yesterday. Tyres horrendously expensive. My 4x4 has done 30,000 miles and still has a year's tread left on them, yes they probably are expensive, but I've never had any other car that would do more than 20,000 miles on a set.

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I did a 60 mile round trip to my sons last Sunday and the car ( a mondeo TDCi ) returned 59mpg. I replaced three of the original fitted tyres last year with 35000 miles on the clock with three identical tyres ( the fourth tyre that went on was the brand new spare ) for a total cost of £146.

Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010

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Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.

 

My criteria for a towcar is one that I find reliable, is functional, suits my lifestyle, I can afford and tows my caravan. My 4 x 4 ticks all those boxes.

On a daily basis I do my utmost to avoid running into anything (although I am sorely tempted to take out the some of the thieving pikey scum who occasionally turn up down the road ) but I cant help thinking that, irrespective of the car, serious injury will be a consequence if you do run into something / somebody.  

 As for the Carbon (yes I concede that your average 4 x 4 will emit more CO2 than your average car) but I suppose your viewpoint on the acceptability of this depends on whither you believe in the current global warming / climate change propaganda. 

Personally I think there's a lot more to choosing a car than simply is it good at towing? That's only 10% of the decision.
I buy 3 year old repmobiles as they are cheap and you get a lot of car for the money and they wil do large mileages, so for me, are good value. Had two 406s and next will probably be a Mondeo.

FWD is better than RWD in mud, snow & ice etc when solo. RWDs should keep off the roads in snow as all they do is hold everyone up. Needing 4x4 to get off grass pitches isn't necessary now since motor movers do the job just as well.

The car should be heavy enough to tow the van but excess weight like a big 4x4 towing a small van is a complete waste.  Buying a big 4x4 to tow a big caravan for 2 people is also a waste. We do need to be careful with the limited resources left on the planet.

Best of all is a Citroen Berlingo as a good allrounder. Pity its a bit too light.

Quote: The car should be heavy enough to tow the van but excess weight like a big 4x4 towing a small van is a complete waste. Buying a big 4x4 to tow a big caravan for 2 people is also a waste. We do need to be careful with the limited resources left on the planet.

In An Ideal World

We would All Tow Our Caravans With

Range Rover TDV8s

But Alas ..........Its the 60k price thats far from Ideal !