The minefield that is towing!

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MissStressy

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Hello HHO! Please help a girl out!

I feel at such a loss with this whole towing malarkey that I genuinely am considering just buying a lorry at this point!

My current setup:
2.2 Diesel LR Evoque 4WD 2015 manual
IW 403 single trailer
1 pony 14.3 400kg

My Current issues:
Car is at 100k and I think the gearbox is going...
The drive at the stables is VERY steep to get onto a main road, I need to stop at the top to be able to look round and see if there's nothing coming (its a very sharp bend) and the road is quite busy
Horse is also moving about when we get off the drive

So, I have been looking at the vehicles below, and of course asking Chat GPT for advice but he has proven to be in different moods each time I ask and changes his mind quicker than my mother in law! I would prefer an automatic as I am hoping it would struggle less on the drive... (I used my friends Disco two weeks ago and it was lovely to tow with BUT the issues she's had with it are endless!!)

1. VW Toureg 2l - I have been discouraged due to the older models with higher mileage apparently being prone to oil leaks as well as parts being expensive
2. Honda CR-V 2.2l - I have been told they are reliable and good engines - however, would it cope with my setup?
3. Audi Q3 2l - again, looking at an automatic but my worry is this wont have enough torque..
4. Skoda Kodiaq 4x4 2l - these are soo rare and if there's one for sale they are not cheap and with high mileage.

Can you who tow tell me what you tow with? How are you finding it on hills, roundabouts, on long journeys and in different weather conditions? I'm in the midlands so mostly just rain...

I would also use the car daily for commuting to work which is not far about 5 miles from home, but when I tow I do go further afield as well as shorter journeys. I don't mind towing and find it quite enjoyable well, I used to! Now I am scared pulling off the drive as the car struggles to get the bite point as well as having issues with the car after I tow (touch wood the issue never happens when I have the trailer hooked up)

I am absolutely useless with cars, like I know they need diesel to work and how to change a tyre that's about it. I have been reading the on the forums and other websites to get an idea what to look for etc but honestly, its all beyond me. My OH is even more useless with cars than me, he's not been much help.. My mechanic is a man of few words so that conversation (well my word vomit and his nods) got me nowhere. I don't mind big SUV's or even some pickups but the ones I looked at were either very old with lots of mileage and would just cost me a ton in diesel..

I have about a £15k budget, would not get another range rover or a ford ranger..

I need something decent but also a bit more comfortable ( I travel around the country for work regularly too so being stuck in traffic for hours needs to be at least a bit more comfy)

Thank you in advance for all your help <3
 
I don't think you will struggle with anything, you're set up is very light! so as long as the cars have enough capacity you'll be fine.

I tow a 505 (just under 1000kg) with a 600kg horse, using a BMW X3 with a towing capacity of 2000kg! I've never once had an issue going up hills or anything
 
BigRedDog said:
I had a Touareg to tow, it was amazing. Best tow vehicle. But expensive to repair/parts
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That's the thing, as I am on the road quite a bit that was my initial idea, BUT the part costs has sort of given me a wake-up call.. Especially with towing breaks are replaced every year for me pretty much at the moment and I can't imagine what that would cost on a Touareg 🙈
 
kerrieberry2 said:
I don't think you will struggle with anything, you're set up is very light! so as long as the cars have enough capacity you'll be fine.

I tow a 505 (just under 1000kg) with a 600kg horse, using a BMW X3 with a towing capacity of 2000kg! I've never once had an issue going up hills or anything
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Thanks, I have sort of been looking at a tiguan as well as my mum has one but again, not sure if thats any different to what I have now. Apart from maybe the gearbox working properly lol.
 
Have a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe, we have an auto and it's been very reliable, when it has needed something it's not been too pricey. Have also had a VW Toureg which was a dream! but yes, parts are expensive.
 
Defo a 4x4 of some description with that tricky steep hill start that you need to negotiate to get out of your yard. Had to do similar in a 2WD to exit from a particular venue - don’t recommend that 😬.

Skoda Octavia diesel, pref a Scout version. 2t tow limit and lots of grunt. We have a manual one, but there is an auto, I believe.
 
My OH searches for part numbers and orders them separately, for something he was looking at for our old Merc the official price was something like £500+ and he found the part for £90. A good garage that will fit free issue parts is worth its weight. I'm on my second VW Caddy van for work and can't fault them as a brand.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Defo a 4x4 of some description with that tricky steep hill start that you need to negotiate to get out of your yard. Had to do similar in a 2WD to exit from a particular venue - don’t recommend that 😬.

Skoda Octavia diesel, pref a Scout version. 2t tow limit and lots of grunt. We have a manual one, but there is an auto, I believe.
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I think that's what knackered the gearbox if I'm honest. I am near tears every time I have to get off the drive even with empty its a absolute B...
 
The 2.2 diesel engine in yours is much, much better than the later, terrible 2.0 ingenium diesel, and 100K miles shouldn't mean anywhere near the end of it (assuming it's been serviced), personally if there's nothing else wrong with it, I'd just run it until something really expensive breaks on it.

Problems with bite point, especially with a heavy load on the towbar are usually clutch and/or flywheel related, the clutch could be getting a bit tired if you've been towing. I'd get the gearbox/clutch looked at before taking a punt on a new tow car, it'll be fairly costly to replace clutch and flywheel but not outrageous.
 
Fullers1845 said:
The 2.2 diesel engine in yours is much, much better than the later, terrible 2.0 ingenium diesel, and 100K miles shouldn't mean anywhere near the end of it (assuming it's been serviced), personally if there's nothing else wrong with it, I'd just run it until something really expensive breaks on it.

Problems with bite point, especially with a heavy load on the towbar are usually clutch and/or flywheel related, the clutch could be getting a bit tired if you've been towing. I'd get the gearbox/clutch looked at before taking a punt on a new tow car, it'll be fairly costly to replace clutch and flywheel but not outrageous.
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Yes I do service it annually and have looked after it well since we got it 6 years ago, only had 40k on the clock..

The issue is AFTER I tow and getting off the blasted drive. I don't want to get rid of it as I love that car.

The issue I am getting is after i tow park up the trailer and go to leave I get 'stuck' at the top of the drive. Like the car WILL NOT go forward, I have to let it roll back and there's like a grounding sound as if the breaks let go. Shift it into gear and try again.. The last time this happened I popped it back in the snow/gravel mode and literally flooded the engine twice (stalled and strong smell of diesel) before starting it again and moving off to be able to do the gate, when I got back in same issue.. Had to do the above 4 times until eventually it ground itself forward.. I have never experienced it this bad and it was luckily without the trailer but now I am worried what if it happens with the trailer and the horse on board? My mechanic said he can not find anything wrong but than again, when I asked if hes serviced the gearbox he can not remember...

So hence, looking for options.. If its an easy fix I'd probably not be shifting it but with being 11yr old and the mileage I am wondering if its just easier to buy something else that will last me another 10 yrs
 
Probably a daft question but is the lane you are using hard ie tarmac or concrete or soft ie gravel or stony?
Because that can affect your driving away particularly if tyres are maybe not as deep or full tread…
 
Do you need 4 seats? Look at a van? Your be surprised at the weights they can tow.
And carry.
Just think you could have saddle racks etc installed...
Camping stove for a kettle.
I don't have horses but do have vans... I have a materess that's goes down in the back of mine and it goes camping.

If you do need more seats look at crew vans.
Something like a diapatch/new shape vivaro is no bigger to driver than a ranger.
 
Marshpiper said:
Probably a daft question but is the lane you are using hard ie tarmac or concrete or soft ie gravel or stony?
Because that can affect your driving away particularly if tyres are maybe not as deep or full tread…
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Its Gravel leading onto tarmac, drive is very well maintained with no potholes, I just had a new set of tyres put on so that will also make a difference for sure..
 
jhoward said:
Do you need 4 seats? Look at a van? Your be surprised at the weights they can tow.
And carry.
Just think you could have saddle racks etc installed...
Camping stove for a kettle.
I don't have horses but do have vans... I have a materess that's goes down in the back of mine and it goes camping.

If you do need more seats look at crew vans.
Something like a diapatch/new shape vivaro is no bigger to driver than a ranger.
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No need for the seats as my OH has a car too, however I do travel all round the country for my work so hence not looking at vans, but thank you!
 
I use a 14yo Santa Fe (manual) which tows a full medium sized horse trailer effortlessly. 220k on the clock and not showing it. 2.2tonne towing limit, IIRC.
The older ones of these are VERY cheap now, and have the bonus of a huge load space and 7 seats if you need them.
 
My two pennies worth...... I have never heard a bad word about Touaregs

Although tyres aren't your main issue with your current car (grinding noise) there is a HUGE difference between tyres. I used to hate paying for tyres and always got billy basics, until my Dad explained what a huge impact good quality (Michelin/Goodyear etc) have on the car's towing experience. Needless to say, as soon as I found out the impact it would have on my horse I got decent tyres fitted!
 
Identityincrisis said:
My two pennies worth...... I have never heard a bad word about Touaregs

Although tyres aren't your main issue with your current car (grinding noise) there is a HUGE difference between tyres. I used to hate paying for tyres and always got billy basics, until my Dad explained what a huge impact good quality (Michelin/Goodyear etc) have on the car's towing experience. Needless to say, as soon as I found out the impact it would have on my horse I got decent tyres fitted!
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I used to have GY on mine, now I've gone for all weather Continentals with XL as supposedly they grip better than summer tyres. They were very expensive BUT I thought it would be worth it...

I have now spoken to a LR specialist and hes going to check out my gearbox and clutch but he seems to think its the clutch, as I have done work on it already I think it would be better to fix her up and see what happens if I get another 2/3 years and basically 'run her to the ground' it will still be worth it rather than having to shell out on a new car... Gives me more time to win the lottery and buy a lorry 🤣
 
Touareg super towing but ours is ridiculously expensive on road tax. It does very few miles and actually isn’t really ever used towing, but when it has towed it’s brilliant. I think the road tax does very quite a bit on age and engine size but worth checking.
 
If you don't need alarge towing capacity what about a Tiguan? the 4 motion are 4WD, better on fuel/tax and mine goes up and down the hills and fields of Northumberland no bother, its a 12 plate with 158k miles and still going string *touches wood*
 
I love my Touareg - it’s a 2020 model and the tax is not too bad, it’s not hideously thirsty either but as it’s got an extra large fuel tank filling it up with diesel has recently been a bit eye watering.. It’s the most comfortable car I’ve ever driven - when I was towing two horses it barely noticed the trailer was on the back. I’ve now sold the trailer as we’ve got a 7.5 (which I love equally with the Touareg) but won’t change my car until it falls to pieces (hopefully in many years’ time).
 
I had a Tiguan which I enjoyed, I had the 2.2 and it towed an Ifor 510 with a 700kg horse without issue and we also have a pull into a busy 2 lane road from a steep bit of hill on our yard.
The problem is, you won't ever find a car that isn't prone to something, my dad is a huge car guy and it took him a year to decide what to buy as he said he knows almost too much and there's issues with everything, pick something easy to work on with available not too expensive parts would be my recommendation (and avoid JLR like the plague, and anything with a wet belt and anything without a strong service history).
 
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I have had both an older Audi q5 (2013) 2.0 TDI bought it at 3 years old, had it 7 years. Then I bought a 2020 Q7 only because they reduced the capacity from 2.4t to 2t due to emissions and I thought I may want an Equitrek having sold my 7.5t. Plus for the first time I had enough capital to buy outright a super nice car.

I had my Q5 chipped, it was just as good as my Q7 which has has 3.5t capacity and easier to turn around on the drive.

Both a super nice cars to drive, as well as doubling up as wonderful tow cars. I don’t think would choose a Q3, I dont imagine it has the weight behind it not knacker the gear box over time.

Have a look at manufacturer rated tow weights - but the Q5 was an excellent tower and beautiful every day car. My Q7 was £70k second hand and to be honest has had more issues- the Q5 didn’t cost me a penny in 7 years.

I never looked at the Q3’s, but cannot recommend enough the older Q5 for an Ifor with one or two horses. My chipped 2.0tdi was super. My Q7 is the same there doesn’t feel any difference but it is a whole level of nice car up, but it cost more than double to buy. Car tax is high, including more than a tourag but you have a nice car and they always make you pay for it! I can honestly say that if it’s towing as your main aim, an older diesel Q5 is just as good as the Q7 without the prestige.

Comments on tyres are valid I have continentals on my Q7, but understand that it’s a 2t car that handles like a hot hatch, and it’s just part of having an expensive car
 
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