Dacia Duster 4x4 for towing?

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still standing

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Has anyone got one of these for towing? And how well does it do the job?
I currently have a VW Tiguan 4x4 which has been briliiant but is sadly near the end of its life and starting to cost me in repairs. So I'm planning to change it quite soon for something more up to date (used though, can't afford new). I'd love another Tiguan but the second hand price is still astronomical so I'm having to consider other makes.

My trailer is an IW 505 with partitions removed (about 900kg) and now that my old horse is retired, I just tow my current riding horse who is 15.2hh and weighs around 500kg. In theory, the Dacia Duster 4x4 could tow that OK, but it would be near its limits which makes me hesitate.
So I'd appreciiate any advice please!
Also, can anyone recommend any other small SUVs which are reliable. good at towing and good value that I could also consider? TIA!
 
As KB says, you'd be pretty close to the mark... I'd definitely get your horse on a weighbridge to make sure you have an accurate weight for him (and be honest with yourself whether he's currently at his lightest at this time of year and might be another 25kg in summer!), plus you need to weigh yourself, tack, water, fuel, picnic... I think you could very easily hit 1600kg, and you should have some leeway - I think the Caravan Club etc recommend a max of 85% of capacity for safety. stability etc.
 
I went to look at a Duster before I bought my Sorento and was surprised at how little space it had inside. The boot on the 4x4 version is tiny, not to mention the low towing weights. I do love my Sorento though - it's a 7 seater so with the back seats down it has an enormous boot and it's rated to tow 2.5 ton which is very reassuring.
 
I have a 1.6 4x4 and it is a proper workhorse that I have thoroughly abused, love it, goes anywhere, fab in snow and poor conditions. Slow as a boat, good on derv and cheap to run. However, it could not pull the skin off a rice pudding and is only capable of pulling a small flatbed type of trailer with a bit of garden waste on it.
 
We've got a Hyundai Santa Fe, it's getting on a bit now but it's been reliable and not had any issues with towing 1 cob. Previously had a VW Toureg which I loved, it was so powerful and didn't even notice the trailer was on but they are so pricey. The Santa Fe does the job needed but isn't as luxurious as the VW.
 
We have a petrol 1.3 Duster 4x4 which is very Tardis like in terms of how much tack/feed/haylage/bedding you can fit in. Towing wise it copes surprisingly well with a lightweight Wessex Clubman and just 1 13.1 NF pony over short distances. Tows up steep hills - and more importantly stops said trailer safely. I know not ideal, but it will do us.
 
poacher82 said:
As KB says, you'd be pretty close to the mark... I'd definitely get your horse on a weighbridge to make sure you have an accurate weight for him (and be honest with yourself whether he's currently at his lightest at this time of year and might be another 25kg in summer!), plus you need to weigh yourself, tack, water, fuel, picnic... I think you could very easily hit 1600kg, and you should have some leeway - I think the Caravan Club etc recommend a max of 85% of capacity for safety. stability etc.
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I know what you mean, I did feel it was rather close in terms of weight and towing capacity. Even without the weight of the partition, I think it would be beyond 85% of the Dacia's limit.
 
lialls said:
We've got a Hyundai Santa Fe, it's getting on a bit now but it's been reliable and not had any issues with towing 1 cob. Previously had a VW Toureg which I loved, it was so powerful and didn't even notice the trailer was on but they are so pricey. The Santa Fe does the job needed but isn't as luxurious as the VW.
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I would ideally like another VW Tiguan! I tried a Hyundai Tucson before this one, but it was terrible at towing, no real power at all. So if you think the Hyundai Santa Fe is good after you had a VW, I will look at those, thanks.
 
Caravan nerd chiming in!

The CC recomendation is 85% of vehicle kerb weight (not max tow weight), and the maximum specified towing weight for a vehicle is usually above this, and can actually be well above the tow vehicle kerb weight.

eg our 1900kg kerb weight car can in theory tow braked 2400kg (according to manufacturer), would I personally? Absolutely not.

A Duster is actually fairly light and I'd not want to tow much more than about 1200kg to be honest.

I've towed caravans at a smidge over 85% and it's been fine, but prefer being well under.
 
We've just swapped our Duster for a Volvo XC60.

On paper, the Duster could tow my trailer and pony, but it was far too light. Their was a bit of juddering when pulling away and pony who'd always been a happy loader and traveller started not wanting to load.

I wouldn't recommend it.
 

Outfit Matching Car and Caravan

Find out how your car and caravan match to ensure that your outfit is safe and comfortable to tow. Calculate speeds, road gradients and the stability of your caravan
towcar.info towcar.info

Someone uses a sportage ok (1600kgs 180ps version). Depends how confident a tower you are. Id not want anything less than 2000kg tow capacity for 1 horse in a 505 but thats just me. Ford Kuga has a suprisingly good tow capacity (think my friends model is 2200kgs) .. kia sorento .. current vw tiguan, beefiest car for the money when I researched it last winter.

EDIT - Its not just the tow capacity, you need to watch the kerb weight of the vehicle, as you vehicle + cargo as its recommended the car should be heavier than what its towing.
When you go looking the tow capacity should be on a sticker in the driver door dont rely on model info on link above.
 
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Just had a look on autotrader, Ford Kugas, are way cheaper for the same of a tiguan and arguably nicer inside, if you dont mind the kuga appearance .. 2100kg capacity, 20-22 reg £12-15k. Whats your budget and max age / mileage ?
 
I was in the same boat last year.

I know not everyone can but I bit thebullet and got a used Tiguan 2.0l just because of its towing capacity. It cost way more than I wanted to spend on a car, but I love it. Didn’t have the funds to buy it so got a personal loan from the bank instead of financing. Could this be an option for you? Repayments are significantly less on loans than finance
 
PSD said:
I was in the same boat last year.

I know not everyone can but I bit thebullet and got a used Tiguan 2.0l just because of its towing capacity. It cost way more than I wanted to spend on a car, but I love it. Didn’t have the funds to buy it so got a personal loan from the bank instead of financing. Could this be an option for you? Repayments are significantly less on loans than finance
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second this! same deposit - HP - 363, Bank loan 234 a month..
 
PSD said:
I was in the same boat last year.

I know not everyone can but I bit thebullet and got a used Tiguan 2.0l just because of its towing capacity. It cost way more than I wanted to spend on a car, but I love it. Didn’t have the funds to buy it so got a personal loan from the bank instead of financing. Could this be an option for you? Repayments are significantly less on loans than finance
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Agreed, I got a good rate on a credit union car loan. I also spent more on mine than I had planned but when I weighed up age/mileage etc it was worth going for the Tiguan. I was fortunate though and a 4motion was advertised the day I said no to a 2wd.
 
PSD said:
I was in the same boat last year.

I know not everyone can but I bit thebullet and got a used Tiguan 2.0l just because of its towing capacity. It cost way more than I wanted to spend on a car, but I love it. Didn’t have the funds to buy it so got a personal loan from the bank instead of financing. Could this be an option for you? Repayments are significantly less on loans than finance
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Yes, although I have some funds I'll definitely need a loan as well, probably Credit Union, to top up any trade-in difference between my VW and whatever I end up buying. I'm retired now, so my income is pretty well fixed in respect of managing repayments.

I really love my Tiguan, it's so comfortable and easy to drive and tow and so reliable. It's a 2016 4motion and prices have soared since I bought it in 2019. If I bought a 2016 Tiguan today I would be paying almost the same amount as I did then in 2019, even though they are now 10 years old!! So trade-in value is good but alas, for me to buy a much newer one, say 2021-2023, is rather out of reach.

However, I will now check out the models mentioned above, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia sportage, Ford Kuga and Kia Sorrento. I think I'll stick to more common makes, as if anything does go wrong, it's easier to get parts (I'm generally an optimist but I'm just being practical!).
Again, thanks for help and if anyone has other makes they can recommend, please do!
 
still standing said:
Yes, although I have some funds I'll definitely need a loan as well, probably Credit Union, to top up any trade-in difference between my VW and whatever I end up buying. I'm retired now, so my income is pretty well fixed in respect of managing repayments.

I really love my Tiguan, it's so comfortable and easy to drive and tow and so reliable. It's a 2016 4motion and prices have soared since I bought it in 2019. If I bought a 2016 Tiguan today I would be paying almost the same amount as I did then in 2019, even though they are now 10 years old!! So trade-in value is good but alas, for me to buy a much newer one, say 2021-2023, is rather out of reach.

However, I will now check out the models mentioned above, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia sportage, Ford Kuga and Kia Sorrento. I think I'll stick to more common makes, as if anything does go wrong, it's easier to get parts (I'm generally an optimist but I'm just being practical!).
Again, thanks for help and if anyone has other makes they can recommend, please do!
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Worth a look then but I understand it might not be the best option for you with you being retired. Mines a 2016 4 motion and very low mileage so lots of life left in her yet and I spent £15k so yes trade in value will be good!

Kia’s are really good cars and come with 7 year warranties from new and it covers all parts that aren’t serviceable so definitely worth a look there. It’s hard to find something especially if it’s going to be an every day car, I’m using more fuel than I’m used to because obviously it’s a bigger car but I do love it and every time I drive it I just feel happy! I’ve yet to tow with it yet but I’ve heard fantastic things about them. I only have ponies too which will help
 
I just had a kia (hybrid) as a courtesy recently & loved it! if you can find one with that above rating would be fab! most when I were looking at were 1600 capacity, I was looking at older models might be why ! As I say check the specific car on the lot via the doorwell rather than blanket googling.! As my tiguan I thought had 2200 capacity googling online, but only 2000 for this model (still fine but you get the point) The courtesy only had 1600 but that might be an ev thing
 
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