What Tow Vehicle

[nigel52]

Readers advice please. Need a good load lugger for 300 mile trips to France. Also must be able to launch a 6m RIB on a steepish slipway without grounding. Previously had a 2005 Merc E320 diesel estate with the right carrying capacity but rear end grounded on the ferry and slipways.

Then tried a Freelander2 for 18 months which was pretty good but not enough carrying capacity with back seats down. Actually maybe we should have stayed with this and added a roof box!

Now on a 2011 Range Rover Sport which seems a complicated over expensive option, although a lovely drive and tows anything.

Looking for something that does the following:

- load lugger
- tow RIB up steep slipways without rear end grounding.
- reliable
- long distance cruiser
- better than 30 mpg

[A1an]

Be ready for 101 answers

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by A1an

Be ready for 101 answers

Only 101

The 30 mpg would possibly be a sticking point with a lot of bigger tow vehicles

I've had Nissan Navara's and just got a Ford Ranger can't fault the auto's and with a back on loads of room to carry gear. mpg in the high 20's (30 if you drive like a girl)
Go for a high spec and it's not to far from driving a car, Fords a lot firmer ride

[willk]

Originally Posted by A1an

Be ready for 101 answers

Possibly overkill, but good for beach launches!

[willk]

More seriously, if you take more than two people on long trips and don't tow the RIB all the time, maybe an A6 Allroad would do all those jobs better?

Audi A6 Allroad Review | Top Gear

[jokaboat]

Originally Posted by willk

Possibly overkill, but good for beach launches!

He said 30mpg not 3

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by willk

More seriously, if you take more than two people on long trips and don't tow the RIB all the time, maybe an A6 Allroad would do all those jobs better?

Audi A6 Allroad Review | Top Gear

Not one I had considered but worth a look.

Re the 30 mpg if a vehicle actually managed 29 mpg I would not dismiss.

[Peter2673]

There's something to be said for sticking with your RRS.

On the other hand, I've got a Defender 110 Station wagon. My SIB is only a little one, but I often tow one of our rowing club's 34 foot trailers loaded with £100,000 worth of delicate carbon fibre, aided by half a dozen giggling rowers in the passenger seats. The outfit can negotiate narrow conty lanes, and on arrival be greeted by a car park marshal who invites me to reverse the zigzag course between two other badly parked outfits. The defender's straight sides and huge mirrors make the process effortless.

It does 28 rather than 30mpg solo, and surprisingly about the same towing- Its large form punches a nice hole in the air, and slower towing speeds seem to offset the extra weight.

For slipways it not only has the traction, but has axles that are actually designed for wading- the axles breathe via tubes that go right to the front of the vehicle and open high under the bonnet.

Pete

[andyjcox1]

How about a van. I had a VW transporter (2.5tdi) version and it pulled my 6m Ribeye easily. Don't bother with any of the lower powered ones though. It was fine pulling my RIB up a medium steep concrete slipway too.

A high spec one would be very comfortable for long distances and I averaged 40mpg. There are loads of mods you can do to the suspension if needed to.

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by Peter2673

There's something to be said for sticking with your RRS.

On the other hand, I've got a Defender 110 Station wagon. My SIB is only a little one, but I often tow one of our rowing club's 34 foot trailers loaded with £100,000 worth of delicate carbon fibre, aided by half a dozen giggling rowers in the passenger seats. The outfit can negotiate narrow conty lanes, and on arrival be greeted by a car park marshal who invites me to reverse the zigzag course between two other badly parked outfits. The defender's straight sides and huge mirrors make the process effortless.

It does 28 rather than 30mpg solo, and surprisingly about the same towing- Its large form punches a nice hole in the air, and slower towing speeds seem to offset the extra weight.

For slipways it not only has the traction, but has axles that are actually designed for wading- the axles breathe via tubes that go right to the front of the vehicle and open high under the bonnet.

Pete

Pete - maybe I will stick with the RRS. It is a lovely go anywhere drive and one would not know the RIB is on the back when towing; I just wonder if a RRS is just too complicated/sophisticated for its own good. The Freelander was far less complicated, cheaper to run and other than less room pretty competent. I had considered the Merc ML 350 Bluetec but not sure there is anything to gain over the RRS. Any of the considerations would be no newer than 2 yrs old as new 4x4s are silly money. At one stage I had considered the Santa Fe over the Freelander but it did not drive as well although it meets the criteria for luggage space. I agree the Defender is a real work horse and certainly not as complicated as the RRS. Would not touch the new Discovery Sport as it as lots of early life issues.

[ShinyShoe]

What pulling weight...? Are you looking new or 2nd hand? How flashy?

I'm about to test drive a Ssangyong Korando can pull 2T. 46mpg (EU Test data). Not the highest spec on market but not 2 bad... Highly rated as a tow car in the metal tent community...

[Maximus]

If it's cheap and cheerful you want and something to do the Job a Nissan Terrano takes some beating.
Towed me and the loaded RC 6.8 the lenghth of the country 3 times......and cost it less than my friend paid for a service on his Four yr old Range Rover!

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

What pulling weight...? Are you looking new or 2nd hand? How flashy?

I'm about to test drive a Ssangyong Korando can pull 2T. 46mpg (EU Test data). Not the highest spec on market but not 2 bad... Highly rated as a tow car in the metal tent community...

Repair and breakdown support in France is important so Ssangtyong although good has a fairly small dealer network.

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by Maximus

If it's cheap and cheerful you want and something to do the Job a Nissan Terrano takes some beating.
Towed me and the loaded RC 6.8 the lenghth of the country 3 times......and cost it less than my friend paid for a service on his Four yr old Range Rover!

I don't doubt the cost of a RRS service particularly with a main dealer. They are not cheap to run but are a hell of a vehicle 'if' running without issues.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by nigel52

Repair and breakdown support in France is important so Ssangtyong although good has a fairly small dealer network.

In that case you need to look at French Cars ;-) the French don't know anyone other than CitreonPeugeotRenault make cars...!

I've broken down once properly (limp home mode) with a car in the last 13 years (260,000miles). Couple of times I've had engine management lights but no limp and twice I limped but engine off and on fixed it temporary till I got a wiring harness fault fixed. Prior to that with much older cars (also petrol incidentally) I broke a fair few times. I'm not expecting my next car to be any worse. 300 miles in UK is a day trip for me.

With good breakdown cover I've never been concerned. Haven't had the 'pleasure' of European Breakdown though...

[Searider]

XC70

Or

XC90 if you need more space.

Have had both and either towed the 6.5m fine as well as being great everyday cars.
Not fast though!

[Moneypit]

Stick with the RRS is my advice. Had one for three years and apart from one suspension issue, quickly fixed and not too expensive, it did everything asked of it. The benefit of having such a high tow weight means loading and weight distribution is never really an issue.

[nigel52]

Originally Posted by Moneypit

Stick with the RRS is my advice. Had one for three years and apart from one suspension issue, quickly fixed and not too expensive, it did everything asked of it. The benefit of having such a high tow weight means loading and weight distribution is never really an issue.

Difficult to argue - thanks

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Moneypit

Stick with the RRS is my advice. Had one for three years and apart from one suspension issue, quickly fixed and not too expensive, it did everything asked of it. The benefit of having such a high tow weight means loading and weight distribution is never really an issue.

The ranger has a 3.5t trailer limit and 245kg nose weight

[lakelandterrier]

X-Trail would probably tick all your boxes.

Mine's great for towing and day to day use and get 39 mpg not towing, 28 with the boat behind at 60mph.