Our current tow car vauxhall frontera 2.2 diesel, is needing replacing. Trying to get something up to £8000,and have been looking at Nissan xtrail 2l diesel,manual around 2012/13.
But after research they don't seem to have much of weight limit keeping in with 85% guide.
Our current van is around 1450 weight so want something to at least comfortably tow this.
Now checking out kia sorentos around 2012 plate
Getting more confused the more we look, especially as tow cars seem to have rocketed in price lately.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I don't know what specific model of X-trail you're looking at, or where you're getting the weights from, but Practical Caravan magazine give the kerb weight of a 2010 X-trail 2.0 dci as 1725kg, and an 85% ratio of 1466kg (see link below). For the 2015 version, the kerb weight given is 1680kg, 85% of which is 1428kg. Both versions are reported to have a manufacturer's towing limit of 2000kg. This sounds pretty much bang on to me.
Be wary about getting weights from outfit matching websites, which are notoriously inaccurate. The best places to find the kerb weight (or mass in service) are the V5 document if the seller can show it to you, or a manufacturer's brochure for that model year if you can find one.
The recommendation for an 85% ratio is now decades old, appears to have been selected arbitrarily in the first place and is given only as guidance to those new to towing caravans. The same guidance states that "experienced" caravanners could tow up to 100% of the car's kerb weight. Whilst I agree that the principle of ensuring that the caravan weighs less than the towing vehicle is sensible, there seems to be no evidence at all to suggest that 85% is 'safer' than 90%, or not 'less safe' than 80%. Given that you have a caravan already, and presumably some experience of towing with your Vauxhall, I don't think there's any need for you to worry about exceeding an 85% ratio by a few kgs. Don't forget that your car will in any case be considerably heavier than its kerb weight when loaded up for a holiday!
Personally, from my previous experience of towing with a VW Passat (kerb weight approx 1550kg) I'd have no concern towing 1450kg with it (a 92% ratio). Ford Mondeo is a similar weight, Vauxhall Insignia slightly heavier I believe. If you prefer to stick with an SUV, you could also look at VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4 or Honda CRV (among lots of others). Almost everything you'll find for your budget will be diesel, but that's generally better suited to towing heavy weights anyway. Something of the order of 2.0 litres and 150bhp should give you a good compromise between reasonable performance when towing and good fuel economy / low running costs when not.
Can recommend the Sorento, I had 2 both towing twin-axles with ease. They were both the older style, but great towcars with a low box to get you out of slippery situations when necessary.
I'm now on my 2nd Santa Fe, also excellent towcars, though not having the low box.
Well I tow with a 2008 auto X Trail, but my caravan is much lighter than that. For some reason the towing weight of my model of X Trail is lower for the auto than for the manual, but I would never choose a manual for towing, or for anything else come to that. I haven't owned a manual box vehicle for decades, although I have driven them. Usually only hired trucks or courtesy cars though.
My X Trail is a great tow-car, but if I had to choose between a manual X Trail or an auto Sorento, I would probably go for the Sorento. I nearly did before I bought my X Trail as diesel, auto X Trails in my price range were very difficult to find for sale. Plenty about just not for sale.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the same as the Sorento, just badge engineering being the difference.
I'm now on my second Santa Fe auto and would not go back to a manual for towing. The auto is a bit less frugal on fuel, but the towing capabilities are second to none.
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Topic: Tow vehicle
via mobile 24/8/2021 at 12:24pm
