Tow Vehicle Again

[Jon.esp]

I didn’t want to hijack the previous thread and I hope Boats and Outboards and she who must be obeyed are enjoying their X5. I am however looking around for a new vehicle.

On our list are

Nisan X Trail
Subaru Forester
Skoda Octavia Scout

As you can see I am not looking for an off-road vehicle nor anything too big. However it must be diesel, manual, robust and I would like to look after the pennies with fuel and servicing. I would like 4 wheel drive. Rear load bed to be similar in size to a focus estate and I wont tow much more than 1,500 mls pa. I will probably go for something 2 -3 yrs old but may go new if the deal is right. So budget is £15-25k

There are plenty of X Trails about. The Forester seemed good but I thought the panelling was a bit thin and tinny and I don’t know about the flat 4 diesel. From what I have read some questions have be raised over the handling which surprised me as I have had legacies in the past which were great all be it very thirsty but they are just a bit too long. Nobody seems to have any Skoda Scouts that I could see and they wanted me to buy new without even seeing one!

We have already rejected the Kia Sportage, Nissan SquashedCow and RAV 4.

Anybody have any thoughts

[joakimhansson]

Passat Tdi 4-motion

Should be on my list also...

Much car for the money is also the Seat Altea Freetrack tdi.

[Zagato]

Nissan X trail haven't had good press in recent years, Google Honest John

[Ian M]

Audi Allroad

[hullguy]

The X-Trail diesel uses renaults dci lump and has a tendancy to put conrods through the block at the most inopertune moments,volvo xc90 is one to consider

[Crusher]

I had resisted adding previously as it didnt meet the requirements however it seems to meet yours...... Hyundai Santa-Fe
Have now had one three years and been VERY pleased with it , punches way above it's weight in towing capability. I tow a large twin axle van, and a 7.8 Ribcraft very comfortably. (not at the same time!)
You get alot of car for your money, with a fairly good spec
IMO well worth a look. Good luck with whatever you get

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[diver 1]

I'd second the Passat 4motion TDI Estate. Way cheaper than the Audi Allroad, bigger boot than a focus estate, superb engine - get the 1.9TDI 130 rather than the 2.0 in my opinion anyway its better, galvanised chassis to prevent rust, pulls really well. I always got over 30mpg when fully laden with 5.8mtr rib plus full load of dive kit, 45mpg+ when not towing. Getting hard to find low mileage examples now though.

Finally avoid the Sport version - it has 25mm lowered suspension which makes it useless for towing on anything other than flat surfaces!

[Jon.esp]

Thanks

I will do some more homework but meanwhile would welcome any other thoughts

Jon

[Mr Flibble]

I'd have bought an X trail ages ago if they didn't have Renault engines and wiring. The DCi apparently blows turbos regularly. Not heard of the conrod issue on x-trails but the d22 Renault engines on the mark 1 Navaras were famous for it. You don't buy Nissan anymore you buy a Renault in Nissan clothing.

[MustRib]

Freelander 2
love mine

[br1anuk]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Audi Allroad

The new ones may be ok,but the old one was the most unreliable suv 4x4. Google Allroad suspension......

Brian.

[Jus]

I used to use an Impreza (same platform as Forester) for towing. Aside from not having quite enough low down pull, it made a great tow car. The panels may be a bit lightweight, but you can't fault the quality of the Subaru mechanical parts.
In terms of their diesel, I have driven it in a Legacy and it felt like a good engine, seeming to rev quite high for a diesel.
The best thing I guess is to arrange a test drive and see how you like it.

[Markyboyo]

Face lift Jeep patriot with the new 2.2 Merc CDI motor in it and the improved less "plastic" interior can be had new for less than 17k. Should do over 40mpg in general use, 0-60 in less than 10 secs and 125mph top end. Can now tow 2000kgs.

2011 Jeep PATRIOT 2143 cc 2.2 CRD Sport Plus 5dr

Older Patriots with the VW 2.0 TDI start at only 8k ish with about 40-60k miles and can tow 1500kgs.

Octavia scout is a cracking car but it does have have a short wheelbase (ie golf) compared to other cars of its size. I looked at an Altea Freetrack too but I guess due to it having a higher centre of gravity and same wheel base as a golf/octavia they have knocked the towing weight down to only 1400kg. Both are like rocking horse poo.

XC70 would be a nice motor and you'd get into the latest shape model for your budget. Seem to hold their money quite well too. Old model could tow 1800, dunno about the new one.

Latest Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorrento are well within budget and should prove cheap to run with the mega warranties of up to 7 years and around 40mpg. I'd certainly not judge either until you had tried them, you'd be surprised. Depreciation would be my only concern but I guess that depends on how long you want to keep it. I'd have either over a Nissan exhale.
Sorrento can tow 2500kgs which gives an indication of its towing ability.

Freelander II would be on the list too.

As said by others the xtrail is an excellent car but Nissan keep fitting it with a floored diesel engine. I considered a 2.5 petrol running on LPG!

Mark

[MustRib]

Have you popped your rig onto the local weighbridge?
do you know what it weighs with fuel etc ?
its a worthwhile exercise.
You may surprise your self and rule out some of your choices,
or find out your near the limits on others.
just a suggestion

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Weight wise, he has the 115 optimax which is the 1.5L block. That with a 6m boat and all the associated bits is probably under the 1400kg limit.

115hp 170kg
6.0m rib without anything is about 500kg
Your console and batteries and jockeys is probably another 250
Your fuel could be what (1L is 1kg) 100kg if youre full when towing
Your trailer is another few hundred so you should be fine.

(If he had the 2.5L opti and a slightly bigger boat he'd be getter a little close the line of single axle trailers and smaller towing vehicles.)

Careful of the rules stated below re your driving licence also!!!

Do I need to take a car and trailer test ?

If you passed your car driving test after January 1st 1997 you now fall under different licencing conditions to those who passed before.

Should you wish to tow large trailers or caravans you may need to take a new test ( car and trailer category B + E ).
Legal Requirements

Please read carefully as the rules regarding trailers can be confusing.

You can tow trailers with a GROSS weight up to 750 Kg on a standard car licence providing the GROSS weight of the vehicle and trailer when added together does not exceeed 4250 Kg.

You can tow a trailer OVER 750 Kg provided the GROSS weight of the vehicle and trailer when added together does NOT exceed 3500 Kg and the Gross weight of the trailer does NOT exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

Here is an example.

I have a currently use a Peugeot 307 as my tuition vehicle. My driving school trailer has a gross weight of 1400 Kg. I can tow this on a standard car licence because when I add the gross weights of my car and trailer together it does not exceed 3500 Kg, and the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the car.

However, if I had a long wheel base transit van with a gross weight of 3500 Kg I could not tow the same trailer. When added together the figure would exceed the 3500 Kg limit and so I would need to take the car and trailer test.

We think this example highlghts the problem with the rules. The trailer is the same and yet when you attach it onto different vehicles one is covered on the cat B licence and one needs B + E. We believe that if you need to tow a trailer over 750 Kg then you should need the B + E test as the principle of towing small trailers and caravans is the same as towing large ones. However, the rules are there and so we have to accept them.

[Markyboyo]

Don't underestimate the weight of the trailer either. Some Trailers are heavier than others too, Indespension quotes the weight of a 1500kg gross roller coaster as 450kgs hence a 1050 carrying capacity.

A 1500kg gross De-graff is quoted as having a carrying capacity of 1180kg so it should weigh in at 320kgs, 130kg less than the indespension.

I am in the camp where I am towing with a small tow vehicle at 100% of its rated capacity to avoid the B+E test. The 1st and only time someone who has done the B+E license towed my trailer I ended up needing new mudguards.......

My next car will have a gross weight as near to 2.2 tonnes as possible so I can avoid the test but still have a decent sized car to tow with.

[Jon.esp]

Thanks for all the ideas and coments.

I need to do some more homework but am a bit pressed for time right now but do keep the ideas coming

thanks

Jon

[lakelandterrier]

I may be going against the flow and am not a car nut / mechanical expert, but my 2litre diesel X-Trail has served me well with no problems after 18 months & 48,000 miles and I find it very comfortable

MPG good at average 39.8, and fine when towing

Price was good under £21K new, 59 plate in Dec 09 so very good value when compared to Freelander / XC90.

[Searider]

Love my XC70

Looked at Scouts, passats and Allroads at the time.

[Burtox]

Originally Posted by Mr Flibble

I'd have bought an X trail ages ago if they didn't have Renault engines and wiring. The DCi apparently blows turbos regularly. Not heard of the conrod issue on x-trails but the d22 Renault engines on the mark 1 Navaras were famous for it. You don't buy Nissan anymore you buy a Renault in Nissan clothing.

I've got a Renault Espace DCI with a set of big ends that are about to exit the block..........what a load of rubbish