Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: New Tow vehicle Post Reply Post New Topic
11/11/2020 at 12:43pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 524
View TrigGLX's Profile View Profile   Reply to TrigGLX Reply   Quote TrigGLX Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   535

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We are due to change our car next year October 2021, and are begining to look around for a suitable tow vehicle for our van max weight 1300 Kgs, single axle.
We dont carry alot but still have a 15 yr old son whopm comes with us. I am fully aware of all teh guidelines and kerb weight issues etc and have been towing the van the last 12 yrs with a succession of vehicles all mostly 2ltr diesel.
Looking at whats availble, engine sizes and car kerbweights are all reducing, so what would you guys out there suggest as potential for towing the van, considering it will be "NEW".
Currently, (well not this year tow with BMW X1 xdrive 2.0ltr Sport diesel)
Hoping to stick with diesel, just for best return of MPG when compared to petrol. have looked at Hybrid, but am reserving judgment .

Anyway lets here you views etc, all welcome.

cheers. :-)
Chris.


11/11/2020 at 1:03pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

for the weight your towing the car list is endless! i dont envy you trying to decide!

that would depend on your budget, what you normally use out of the car, is it for commuting to work etc


11/11/2020 at 2:10pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4364

Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Stick with diesel. It will be around for a while yet. Best & most fuel efficient for caravan towing. If you can afford new BMW prices then you will be spoiled for choice of diesel SUVs of all makes more than capable of doing the job in that price range.

Post last edited on 11/11/2020 14:16:05

-------------
Every day should be a holiday!


12/11/2020 at 2:43pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   557

Site Reviews Total: 27
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 3  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 16
Site Nights 2019: 13
Site Nights 2018: 3

Purely from the perspective of towing caravans, I'd agree that sticking with 2.0 litre diesel and 150bhp or so is still the answer. Anything from Ford Focus or VW Golf-sized upwards with that level of engine performance should be capable of towing 1300kg, and if you intend to stick with something of a similar size to your BMW X1 you'll be well and truly spoilt for choice.

Things might get a little more complicated if you go for a hybrid, or particularly a plug-in hybrid because many (including BMW 3 and 5 series) can't be fitted with tow bars at all whilst others including Ford Kuga have greatly reduced towing limits. Fuel consumption when towing with these will increase drastically and performance is also likely to fade as the level of charge in the battery reduces.

However, there'll obviously be something of an off-set against that if when not towing with the car (i.e. for the other 48 weeks of the year) you'll mainly be using it for short urban journeys that you can drive mostly on electric power alone. It really comes down to what best suits your overall needs.

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


13/11/2020 at 9:08am
 Location: blyth northumberland
 Outfit: xplore 422 se 2018 Vauxhall Grandland
View retiredjohn's Profile View Profile   Reply to retiredjohn Reply   Quote retiredjohn Quote  
Joined: 02/9/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   60

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

lots to choose from you might want to consider if you new car has or has room for a full size spare ,just a thought

-------------
Its like driving with with the hand brake on and a hole in the fuel tank


Advertisement



13/11/2020 at 1:19pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
Joined: 10/5/2016

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   557

Site Reviews Total: 27
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 3  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 16
Site Nights 2019: 13
Site Nights 2018: 3

Quote: Originally posted by retiredjohn on 13/11/2020
lots to choose from you might want to consider if you new car has or has room for a full size spare ,just a thought



Good point John. As illustrated by our experience in the summer.

We had been lucky enough to be able to take our planned holiday in Cornwall, and had spent the evening with some friends (obviously paying due regard to social distancing) watching the sun set on the beach in Falmouth. On the way back to our caravan, in fading light and with no real idea of where the sat nav was taking us, I hit a traffic calming kerb and burst the front tyre. A local resident came out and said "That happens ALL the time. The council insist that the warning signs are good enough but they really aren't".

Changing the wheel, in what was by now dark, when the alloy wheel had somehow fused itself to the steel hub and was refusing to budge, wasn't much fun. But at least, with a full-size spare in the car, it was possible.

The following morning, I discovered that I had managed to damage the side wall of the left rear tyre as well, which had started to bulge. The nearest depot that had a tyre in stock that would fit was in Penzance, which was about an hour's drive away. Having to nurse a damaged tyre over that distance was nerve-wracking. But in comparison to have had to make the journey on a recovery truck? I'll take it every time, thank you.

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


14/11/2020 at 8:03am
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4364

Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Yes. I recall the last time I had a puncture in my Berlingo. It was in France. We came out of a supermarket & I noticed a tyre was going flat. There was a nail in it. I opened the tailgate. Put on my gloves. Undid the spare wheel carrier & removed the spare which was the same as the other 4 wheels. I then undid the wheel nuts with the 2 foot breaker bar I keep in the car. Jacked up the car with the jack provided. Changed the wheel. Put everything away & continued on our way. Took about 20mins. I took the flat tyre to a local tyre place & they fixed it for 15€.

I would never have a car that could not carry a full sized spare that would allow you to continue journey as intended. I can change my own wheel but even if you can’t at least you can call out breakdown who can.

Post last edited on 14/11/2020 08:11:58

-------------
Every day should be a holiday!


14/11/2020 at 9:30am
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View George-Mildred's Profile View Profile   Reply to George-Mildred Reply   Quote George-Mildred Quote  
Joined: 31/3/2015

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   299

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 3
Site Nights 2021: 4
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hyundai Tucson's have a full sized alloy spare, which we also needed when towing and had a flat on a busy dual carriage layby. Never had one before and don't wish to repeat the experience.


14/11/2020 at 1:47pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View GrahamWB's Profile View Profile   Reply to GrahamWB Reply   Quote GrahamWB Quote  
Joined: 01/6/2020

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   55

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

If you have a 15 year old in tow (no pun intended), have you thought about such as the new Navara or L200's? Both popular as family cars, have plenty of 'toys', and will pull anything you may change to with ease. And, plenty of room for all your gear in the back as well.


15/11/2020 at 5:19pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 524
View TrigGLX's Profile View Profile   Reply to TrigGLX Reply   Quote TrigGLX Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   535

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi all thanks for all the comments,all very worthy and justified. Will start our search in the new year.
Problem we are finding is that most new cars are now very light.
We always try to stay at the 70-80% of car kerbweight. The ford Focus is quite light even the 2.0 ltr D., resulting in not being able to tow full weight. need 1530 Kgs kerbweight or higher to tow van at 85% weight ratio.

c



Advertisement



via mobile 15/11/2020 at 11:54pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
View bessie500's Profile View Profile   Reply to bessie500 Reply   Quote bessie500 Quote  
Joined: 11/9/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2094

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 11
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

It’s often the case with fords tgst the brochure weight is gar lower than the true kerbweight.

The higher the model spec the heavier the car, I weighed 3 mondeos a s max and a ford kuga all way heavier than the brochure some by over 150 kgs
If you can take one on a test drive and put it on a weigh bridge you might find it will do e job

Bessie


16/11/2020 at 12:56pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 524
View TrigGLX's Profile View Profile   Reply to TrigGLX Reply   Quote TrigGLX Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   535

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Indeed have come across this many times, so not really worried . Its just a matter of deciding what to have et.




In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














9435 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder