Tow car

Michelle000123 replied on 12/11/2022 19:30

Posted on 12/11/2022 19:30

I have a Sprite MajorSB 4 currently towing with Tiguan 2 litre diesel, all wheel drive. Please can you advise regarding a new tow car?  Manual v automatic. Diesel v petrol. Thank you so much in advance 

replied on 12/11/2022 21:48

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:44 by Tinwheeler

It’s not just off road ability that 4wd gives you but increased ability to cope in slippery conditions such as snow/ice and muddy pitches at Bladon Chains😀

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:48

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EmilysDad replied on 12/11/2022 21:52

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:34 by

I had a Sorento for 3 years and while I liked it and the raised driving position the model I had was doing 19mpg towing and we rarely ever  had  need for the off road capability and I would ask anyone  considering a similar purchase  "do you actually need off road ability"

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:52

my 3,0 V6 Omega was only doing 19mpg at best while towing ..... and no chance of going off road in it 😉

the best/worse it ever did was on a very wet & windy trip to Devon/Cornwall when it did 16.6mpg! 😥 

replied on 12/11/2022 22:16

Posted on 12/11/2022 22:16

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Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2022 22:40

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:34 by

I had a Sorento for 3 years and while I liked it and the raised driving position the model I had was doing 19mpg towing and we rarely ever  had  need for the off road capability and I would ask anyone  considering a similar purchase  "do you actually need off road ability"

Posted on 12/11/2022 22:40

The point is David is that I would think that cars with 4x4 don't actually go off road as you put it very often.

However on the occasions when there's been snow or ice about I've found it excellent having it and now wouldn't be without it on at least one car. 

Just for the OP, our Sorento does about 34 mpg towing a Sprite at 1550 Kg.   

replied on 13/11/2022 06:57

Posted on 12/11/2022 22:16 by

I don't tug now but regardless I would be very reluctant to go back to just FW or RW drive.  The modern systems of AWD provides much greater stability and safety regardless of road or off road conditions tugging or not..  

Posted on 13/11/2022 06:57

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replied on 13/11/2022 09:44

Posted on 12/11/2022 21:04 by TimboC

I 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 13/11/2022 09:44

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Lutz replied on 13/11/2022 10:32

Posted on 12/11/2022 22:16 by

I don't tug now but regardless I would be very reluctant to go back to just FW or RW drive.  The modern systems of AWD provides much greater stability and safety regardless of road or off road conditions tugging or not..  

Posted on 13/11/2022 10:32

I don't follow your statement regarding greater stability and safety of an AWD. Perhaps you can explain the reasoning behind it. What makes two wheel drive less stable or less safe? The braking performance is no different and that, surely, is the main issue regarding safety.

allanandjean replied on 13/11/2022 12:21

Posted on 13/11/2022 12:21

The thread title and detail is perhaps indicative of how many approach caravanning-this is my van, what can tow it?
As mentioned by AD there are many factors, but our start point is what car do we want-and as towing accounts for a max of about 17%, and often less that 10%, we don’t let the tail wag the dog.

So if we suddenly decided on a radical change, and our car choice couldn’t tow our van, it would be the van that would need to change.

As for the OP questions then, for us, it would be a diesel auto, medium sized SUV to get a raised seating position from the VAG family.

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