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Looking for advice and inspiration!  We own a 56 plate X trail. Just had to have new clutch and DMF.  On our first trip out with the van we had to be recovered by the RAC. Took it back to the Clutch garage..... they said it just needed adjusting, which they did and it appears to be ok now. However it has totally lowered our confidence and we are dreading towing again in a couple of weeks time. We have discussed for hours ... do we get a smaller car (not 4x4), less epensive to run as we only really use the xtrail to tow.... not as a run around, we use my car. Do we get a lighter van too. Trouble is I love my van a Swift Fairway, fixed bed etc it has MIRO 1254kg and MTPLM 1404 kg.  Could anyone suggest a car that will tow this adequately...we feel utterly confused!!!

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

Grampian 91 - we have towed for 26 years and never had an automatic. Think we chose a bum car as X trails have a good reputation as a tow car. Luck of the draw I suppose unless you are mechanically minded.

We did think about going back to the good old Mondeo !! Never an ounce of trouble, but we thought it was on the light side.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I cannot fathom what need adjusted, the clutch is self adjusting and hydraulic, the only thing I can think of is they never bled the hydraulic system correctly.

I f it needs to go back again in the near future, get them to fit a single clutch system free of charge they are actually half the price of a DMF  or less in most cases, then you will have no more problems

How old is your van???

Skoda Bob - when we took it back the mechanic drove it and said the clutch pedal felt high. From what we saw he was in the footwell of the car and adjusted the pedal. Funnily enough the mechanic who recovered us drove the car off the truck and up our drive. He passed comment too about the clutch pedal. We managed to drive it to the clutch fitting garage (5miles) and it was fine - expect it hadn't got very hot. We have been driving it around locally and touchwood it's fine now. We will see when we come to tow in a few weeks. When it malfunctioned when we were away it felt like the clutch was slipping - the engine raced and then juddered going up a slight incline even in a low gear, we were not towing at the time but were in the Yorkshire Dales going up and down, using clutch plenty!!  Neither me or hubby know much about car engines and rely on the "experts" to look after us!!

Our caravan is 2009 Swift Fairway.

Thanks for your reply