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Subject Topic: tow car advice Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonRevington
13/8/2015 at 9:57am
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 Outfit: Hyundai Terracan Coa View Revington's Profile View Profile   Reply to Revington Reply   Quote Revington Quote  
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Hi

I'm new on here and thought I would ask for some advice.

I'm looking at getting a 6 berth caravan that will have a max weight of about 1600kg. I therefore need to change cars in order to tow it. We haven't bought the caravan or decided on the exact model yet.

Currently we have a 57 plate Renault Grand Scenic 2.0 petrol which isn't heavy enough to tow it, and an old 1999 BMW 328Ci (184k miles!).

So I'm thinking of changing one of these for a towcar that:
1) Is heavy enough and capable of towing 1600kg
2) Will hold 2 adults and 2 kids, with the possibility of a third kid in future.
3) Have enough room inside for the luggage and sometimes our dog ( we also have a roof box that helps).
4) within a budget of about 3-5k

Does such a car exist!?! I thought maybe a big estate (BMW 530d touring?), a 4x4 (maybe a shogun sport?), or an MPV?

Also I'm torn between getting rid of the old BMW I have (which I love!) or getting rid of the Renault. The BMW is old and high mileage so worth very little. The Renault has only 50k miles on it, but seems to only be worth about 2.5-3k tops.

Any advice/experience would be welcome!


PersonRob and Tina
13/8/2015 at 10:45am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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Did you pass your driving test after 1997? If so that will restrict your choice of outfit and make it impossible to remain legal with a caravan of that size.

Rob


PersonRevington
13/8/2015 at 10:46am
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good point - no I passed in '93 so I've got granddad rights :)


PersonRob and Tina
13/8/2015 at 11:10am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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A Galaxy would do the job but would probably be a high mileage at that price. Most of the Jap 4x4 would do the job if you can find one at the right price. I think I'd keep the BMW for sentimental reasons and part ex the Renault.

Rob


PersonWobbly Box
13/8/2015 at 12:39pm
 Location:  Scotland
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What about a dicovery or BMW X5 or a kia sorrento. There are also some biggish VW jeeps.


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PersonGCMS2012
13/8/2015 at 8:26pm
 Location: Northumberland
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Wouldn't go for a Shogun Sport, they're even heavier than my Shogun on fuel.

What about A Volvo? Even high milers, they're still a good car.

Don't know which model would pull around 1600kgs though?

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


PersonRay Clayton
13/8/2015 at 9:09pm
 Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
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Volvo XC 90 might?

but they keep there price like the disco and Bmw



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

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Persongreenhill
13/8/2015 at 9:53pm
 Location: Norfolk
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We can recommend kia sorentos. It would be heavy enough. They are good tow cars. We when bought our caravan (nearly 2yrs ago) and we changed our beloved mazda 6 estate for an older sorento. It is a much more comfortable tow. Ticks all your boxes and having had a quick look on autotrader quite a few reasonable options in your price bracket. Only downside is we have a 05 54 plate auto and its v thirsty. That'll partly be the roads round here as when we tow on long journeys it's about the same mpg but we probably average 20-22mpg! A manual would be more efficient though an auto is an easier drive esp for towing.

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From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!


PersonSkoda Bob
14/8/2015 at 2:02am
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You should be able to get a 6 berth van from 1350 to 1550 , the bailey ranger 540/6 is a light van


PersonRevington
14/8/2015 at 10:00am
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thanks for the all replies guys, much appreciated.

I like the idea of a Kia Sorento - will take a look at that. Also I've heard a Hyundai Santa Fe is a good towcar and heavy enough (although the pre 2006 models are ugly as hell!).

Originally wanted a Disco but not sure anymore after some horror stories of reliability and running costs. The X5s seem to hold their value, and looks like i would get a higher mileage and perhaps slightly older model for that money - does anyone know of any reliability issues with them?

I was also thinking maybe a Ssangyong Rexton?

I'll check out the XC90 too.


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PersonBaileyjake
14/8/2015 at 5:25pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
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I have a 550/6 it weighs just 1285 kg mplm. I tow it with a 4x4 but there are plenty of cars that could tow it. Although if you actually need 6 berths the 550/6 might be a bit cramped. The 5 and 6 th bunks are made up from the side dinette. It's ok for 4 of us though.


PersonSkoda Bob
14/8/2015 at 7:41pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 14/8/2015I have a 550/6 it weighs just 1285 kg mplm. I tow it with a 4x4 but there are plenty of cars that could tow it. Although if you actually need 6 berths the 550/6 might be a bit cramped. The 5 and 6 th bunks are made up from the side dinette. It's ok for 4 of us though.


The 540/6 has 3 side bunks above each other then if needed you make the 4th up on the other side , 2 long benches at the front or a double, 1350KG, towed first with a Nissan primera, diesel, then a Skoda superb


Post last edited on 15/08/2015 01:54:12


Person664DaveS
14/8/2015 at 11:12pm
 Location: Shropshire
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Discos aregood but getting on a bit,parts cheap enough though. Early X5s apparantly can have expensive autobox problems!
Sorentos are good towcars, we are on our third.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!



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