older 4x4 or newer mondeo? wwydo

[hackedoff]

I have a mondeo 1.8 diesal that should in theory tow a trailer but in fact struggled on a hill start and I keep the pony on the edge of dark peak! I'm trying to weigh up part ex for a Nissan xtrail which with a few grand plus my current car would get me a much higher mileage xtrail of a similar age to mondeo or an x trail that's the same mileage as current car but 3 or 4 years, older. The alternative is to part ex for a newer mondeo 2.2. Both cars are the same . Kerb weight and much the same time tow capacity. I will be towing my 13.2 by fell pony. I'm a bit nervous, of getting an older 4x4 as did so many years ago and it was a nightmare engine blew up and never towed with it! Towed for years with mondeo but in a, less hilly area. Help me decide please.

Forgot to say fuel consumption and reliability are major considerations. Did 425 miles for work yesterday so can't go for a gas guzzler.

 

[Tallulabelle]

Hi, not really sure what I can offer in terms of what you should swap for, however I drive a 4 x 4, it's a Rav 4 12 plate. Have you looked around at other suitable cars that can tow but are good on fuel?

I have a diesel car and I find it likes its fuel and worse still when we tow our camping trailer however it's not a massive gas guzzler compared to other cars.

I'd be happy to swap for a few more miles but I'd prefer to keep my reg as 'new' as possible, in the hope I'd get a better car overall.

Good luck

T x

 

[nix123]

I think i would go for the 4x4. I drive a warrior and have driven 4x4's for the last 14yrs. But it's the size of your engine that you need to be looking at regarding pulling a trailer. Also you need to look at the diesel/petrol consumption. I know my car takes £80 ish to fill up, but a few years ago it tipped £100 when the prices were up.

 

[JANANI]

If it was me and as you are only tow one pony I would look at the mondeo with a bigger engine size and at least you will get up the years for the extra money. I have an ST diesel mondeo (I think it is a 2.2 ltr engine) which would tow that very easily. What age is your mondeo as I had an older one (1.8 litre) before mine and I wouldn't have towed with it as it was really sluggish. The newer models will also have better fuel consumption so you can go up the engine size and get similar fuel consumption.

 

[ROG]

Nissan X trails are used by many on here that are restricted by towing on a B licence

They have a lightweight trailer which may have been down plated and a single horse

Never heard of any major complaints when they use the above