Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010
Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.
We currently use a passat TDi which we find to be a good stable car and economical to run. Have never needed 4 wheel drive. Before the passat we used a 406 3 ltr petrol which was a superb towcar but enjoyed a drink a little too much.
Modern 4x4s as has already been stated are as economical as many other cars. Mine did 39mpg on a 60 mile run home yesterday. Tyres horrendously expensive. My 4x4 has done 30,000 miles and still has a year's tread left on them, yes they probably are expensive, but I've never had any other car that would do more than 20,000 miles on a set.
I cannot comment first hand on rear wheel drive cars, in 40 years of driving, I've never owned one. However, in all the recent snow, it was the rear wheel drive cars which were unable to cope. Presumably they handly as badly on wet grass.
Many newer 4x4s are normally 2 wheel drive (front) and only engage 4 wheel drive when going slowly.
Finally why does everyone look at just engine size and or 2-4 wheel drive when looking at a towcar? Given the engine is big enough to cope, there is one more important bit, and that is the gearbox. The worst car I ever had was a 2litre Vectra which Vauxhall changed for me and instead I got a V6, which was the best towcar I have had. The main difference was not the extra few horsepower but the quite different gearbox with much lower gear ratios on the V6. The 2litre would go below 11mph without dipping the clutch, the V6 would crawl along in gear at 6mph.
One advantage here of 4x4s is that they do have lower gear ratios and lower top speeds, and that fact alone makes them good towcars.
Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 04/3/2010
Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010
Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.
We currently use a passat TDi which we find to be a good stable car and economical to run. Have never needed 4 wheel drive. Before the passat we used a 406 3 ltr petrol which was a superb towcar but enjoyed a drink a little too much.
Modern 4x4s as has already been stated are as economical as many other cars. Mine did 39mpg on a 60 mile run home yesterday. Tyres horrendously expensive. My 4x4 has done 30,000 miles and still has a year's tread left on them, yes they probably are expensive, but I've never had any other car that would do more than 20,000 miles on a set.
I did a 60 mile round trip to my sons last Sunday and the car ( a mondeo TDCi ) returned 59mpg. I replaced three of the original fitted tyres last year with 35000 miles on the clock with three identical tyres ( the fourth tyre that went on was the brand new spare ) for a total cost of £146.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Quote: Originally posted by wendywinblos on 01/3/2010
Why is it obvious that 4x4 make better tow cars?? I think that depends entirely what your criteria is surely. If you want to guzzle gas, run on horrendously expensive tyres, spit out huge amounts of carbon deposits and threaten serious injury to everything you may run into then yes they are probably the best.
My criteria for a towcar is one that I find reliable, is functional, suits my lifestyle, I can afford and tows my caravan. My 4 x 4 ticks all those boxes.
On a daily basis I do my utmost to avoid running into anything (although I am sorely tempted to take out the some of the thieving pikey scum who occasionally turn up down the road ) but I cant help thinking that, irrespective of the car, serious injury will be a consequence if you do run into something / somebody.
As for the Carbon (yes I concede that your average 4 x 4 will emit more CO2 than your average car) but I suppose your viewpoint on the acceptability of this depends on whither you believe in the current global warming / climate change propaganda.
------------- Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough Groucho Marx
Personally I think there's a lot more to choosing a car than simply is it good at towing? That's only 10% of the decision. I buy 3 year old repmobiles as they are cheap and you get a lot of car for the money and they wil do large mileages, so for me, are good value. Had two 406s and next will probably be a Mondeo.
FWD is better than RWD in mud, snow & ice etc when solo. RWDs should keep off the roads in snow as all they do is hold everyone up. Needing 4x4 to get off grass pitches isn't necessary now since motor movers do the job just as well.
The car should be heavy enough to tow the van but excess weight like a big 4x4 towing a small van is a complete waste. Buying a big 4x4 to tow a big caravan for 2 people is also a waste. We do need to be careful with the limited resources left on the planet.
Best of all is a Citroen Berlingo as a good allrounder. Pity its a bit too light.
Quote: The car should be heavy enough to tow the van but excess weight like a big 4x4 towing a small van is a complete waste. Buying a big 4x4 to tow a big caravan for 2 people is also a waste. We do need to be careful with the limited resources left on the planet.
Better stay at home with the lights off then...
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: tow cars
