Tow car
20 replies
Michelle000123 replied on 12/11/2022 20:27
TimboC replied on 12/11/2022 20:44
Posted on 12/11/2022 20:44
Hi Michelle, yes you have.
You'll get a hundred different answers to this question, as everyone has their own preferences.
As a rule, its recommended that the gross weight of the caravan, thats fully loaded with everything in it up to its maximum permissible, should be no more than 85% of the the kerbweight of the car.
This is called Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM), and your caravan is 1442Kg. Thats the maximum weight that the caravan can be when loaded. Not to be mixed up with Mass in Running Order (MRO) which is lower, and is basically the weight of the caravan when it left the factory
Sorry if you already know this, but you don't say if you are an experienced caravanner, or new .
So, this means you need a car thats got a kerbweight of a minimum of 1696Kg.
My preference is for something heavier, as I think it gives the driver more control
My preference is also for automatic, diesel and 4 x 4, and I have just ordered a Skoda Kodiaq with 200BHP having used a Ford Kuga 4 x 4 180BHP quite happily for the past 6 years
replied on 12/11/2022 20:44
Tinwheeler replied on 12/11/2022 20:52
Posted on 12/11/2022 20:27 by Michelle000123First time posting so hope I have done it right!
Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2022 20:59
Posted on 12/11/2022 20:59
As TimboC says you'll get many different answers but I would have a look at a Kia Sorrento or even a Sportage or their Hyundai equivalents. I tow with a Sorrento (we had a smaller Hyundai and currently two daughters have them and they are all brilliant) and it's been the best tow car we've had, it's not permanent 4WD but on demand either by the driver or when the car thinks it needs it, but really I wouldn't tow when I would need 4WD although it is very good solo when it snows (which now is not too often). It has a huge boot with the rear two seats folding flat and even more space if you fold the middle seats down as well and they all fold flat and in line flat. If I was buying now I would get another diesel one or maybe/perhaps a petrol hybrid.
Like in other threads it may come down to what you can get if you're not prepared for long lead times.
TimboC replied on 12/11/2022 21:04
Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2022 21:11
Posted on 12/11/2022 21:04 by TimboCI should also add that 95% of time, you're NOT towing, so it needs to be something that you want to use solo, and which fits in with everyday life.
Posted on 12/11/2022 21:11
Good point, although the Sorrento is a good tow car and that's why we bought it it isn't the most practical of cars for say parking at Sainsburys or heavy city traffic (in terms of mpg), I mean it is certainly possible but easier with a smaller car for such things.
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Michelle000123