Tow cars....

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Can anyone recommend me a tow car to tow 2 ton?

Must be reliable as will be my everyday car, and goodish on fuel for commuting.

Total combination will be 2 ton, so will need a car to tow more than this?

Current thoughts are Vw Tiguan, ford kuga (read on previous threads clutches etc can go?), Honda CRV.

Does anyone tow with these combinations? Are they really up to it?

 

[dorsetladette]

I'm looking for the same and it's mind boggling. My list is as follows
Kia sportage
Nissan X Trail
Hyundai Tuscon (I'm not keen on the look of these)
Honda C-RV

I'm leaning towards the kia tbh. But I want the 4wd and the titan model as I think that is the top spec one. I can't find any bad reviews on them either but then I'm buying second hand so usually use bad reviews as a reference of what to look out for.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I'm looking for the same and it's mind boggling. My list is as follows
Kia sportage
Nissan X Trail
Hyundai Tuscon (I'm not keen on the look of these)
Honda C-RV

I'm leaning towards the kia tbh. But I want the 4wd and the titan model as I think that is the top spec one. I can't find any bad reviews on them either but then I'm buying second hand so usually use bad reviews as a reference of what to look out for.

Also buying second hand, hadnt looked at the Kia but it’s added to my list ?

 

[scruffyponies]

xc70?

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

xc70?

From what I can find they can tow 2100kg, would that be pushing it towing 2000kg? Not much under its capacity, it’s all so confusing ?

 

[Fred66]

XC60 D5 but fuel consumption only mid 30’s

This website appears to list all makes and models and tow capacities, it varies massively even on the same make model depending on the body style

http://www.towingcapacity.co.uk/car-make-model/volvo/volvo-xc60/

Looking at the Kia Sportage then there are a few that tow 2000 or 2200 but most are under 2000 so make sure you get the right one.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Kia sorento. Towed with mine first time in sunday after using OH ranger for last few years . Tows brilliant up to 3 ton.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Thank you will have a look, the newer Kia Sorrentos look like they can tow 2.5 ton (would want a new ish one for reliability, when I say new ish I mean up to 10 years old lol)

Does anyone have any real life experience of towing 2 ton with a cars towing capacity of 2.2-2.5 ton? Probably towing about once/twice a month (sometimes only towing one horse so approx 1.5 ton)

 

[Fred66]

Check if you buy a Sorento that it is 4WD - we bought one assuming it was and turned out that this had been ”disconnected” as the permanent 4WD on them can develop problems and makes for a less comfy ride so it is a quite common occurrence
Despite this I quite Liked it

 

[phizz4]

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/rog-are-you-still-about-help.796204/
This question has been posed many times.
Have a look at the SSangYong Rexton.
For what it is worth (my opinion and experience only) I wouldn't tow again with such a tight weight limit, it just doesn't feel safe. Remember, unlike a caravan, (where it is recommended that the towed weight is no more than 85% of the kerb weight of the car), nothing moves round in a caravan. A horse just shifting it's weight can affect the stability of the towing combination.

 

[scruffyponies]

Does anyone have any real life experience of towing 2 ton with a cars towing capacity of 2.2-2.5 ton? Probably towing about once/twice a month (sometimes only towing one horse so approx 1.5 ton)

In the distant past I used to tow my friend's old Rice treble with a V70 (note - 2wd, not the xc version). It was 1.4 tonnes before you put anything in it! Surprisingly it was as stable as hell, and the car itself did fine, provided you didn't need to do a hill start in a muddy field. Horse boxes aren't caravans, and the 85% thing doesn't apply for a number of reasons, and there are things you can do to improve stability.

2-wheel trailers have less variable nose-weight, and horse boxes have heavier chassis, lower centre of gravity and better aerodynamics than a caravan. Estate cars are lower and more stable than 4x4's, but you may find the tow bar too low for some trailers.
Make sure your trailer and vehicle tyres are up to pressure, and that your rear suspension on the tow car is in good order - you might want to invest in 'helper' springs which are only a tenner, and help stiffen your back-end (*snigger).
The trailer MUST be weighted slightly to the front - if necessary a jerry of water in the nose-cone does the trick.

Most importantly is the way you drive. Drive like you are on ice, or for those of you down south, like your brakes don't work.

 

[Michen]

Thank you will have a look, the newer Kia Sorrentos look like they can tow 2.5 ton (would want a new ish one for reliability, when I say new ish I mean up to 10 years old lol)

Does anyone have any real life experience of towing 2 ton with a cars towing capacity of 2.2-2.5 ton? Probably towing about once/twice a month (sometimes only towing one horse so approx 1.5 ton)

Yes I take two small horses with my VW tiguan. It's always been fine except when there was an issue with the brake cables in my trailer (I initially thought it was hitch height as I'd put a load of heavy stuff in the boot).

So I'm towing approx 1800kg with a tow capacity of 2000kg.

That said, I wouldn't want to make a habit of it and wouldn't do it in anything other than perfect conditions. I will be swapping my tiguan for a toureg in the new year, to give myself more wiggle room on the towing capacity. I don't feel like my tiguan struggles, but eqully I don't feel like it's exactly effortless, and I wouldn't be happy towing two in a bit of wind for example.

 

[Michen]

Ps have a look for a Tiguan escape/all space. They have a 2.5 tonne capacity and there are some decent older ones kicking around.

 

[Sealine]

Check if you buy a Sorento that it is 4WD - we bought one assuming it was and turned out that this had been ”disconnected” as the permanent 4WD on them can develop problems and makes for a less comfy ride so it is a quite common occurrence
Despite this I quite Liked it

I used to have a 2008 Sorento and I do remember we had a problem with it and had to disconnect the 4WD for a while as we couldn't get the part quickly and we needed the car for a UK holiday. We did find the part and our local mechanic fitted it for us and if I remember correctly it wasn't expensive - total cost inc. fitting was around £200/£250.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

In the distant past I used to tow my friend's old Rice treble with a V70 (note - 2wd, not the xc version). It was 1.4 tonnes before you put anything in it! Surprisingly it was as stable as hell, and the car itself did fine, provided you didn't need to do a hill start in a muddy field. Horse boxes aren't caravans, and the 85% thing doesn't apply for a number of reasons, and there are things you can do to improve stability.

2-wheel trailers have less variable nose-weight, and horse boxes have heavier chassis, lower centre of gravity and better aerodynamics than a caravan. Estate cars are lower and more stable than 4x4's, but you may find the tow bar too low for some trailers.
Make sure your trailer and vehicle tyres are up to pressure, and that your rear suspension on the tow car is in good order - you might want to invest in 'helper' springs which are only a tenner, and help stiffen your back-end (*snigger).
The trailer MUST be weighted slightly to the front - if necessary a jerry of water in the nose-cone does the trick.

Most importantly is the way you drive. Drive like you are on ice, or for those of you down south, like your brakes don't work.

Thank you, I did think the 85% thing didnt apply to horse trailers. I suppose the careful driving side will be no different to driving my 3.5 ton

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Yes I take two small horses with my VW tiguan. It's always been fine except when there was an issue with the brake cables in my trailer (I initially thought it was hitch height as I'd put a load of heavy stuff in the boot).

So I'm towing approx 1800kg with a tow capacity of 2000kg.

That said, I wouldn't want to make a habit of it and wouldn't do it in anything other than perfect conditions. I will be swapping my tiguan for a toureg in the new year, to give myself more wiggle room on the towing capacity. I don't feel like my tiguan struggles, but eqully I don't feel like it's exactly effortless, and I wouldn't be happy towing two in a bit of wind for example.

Thanks Michen, the tiguans I've looked at are 2.2-2.5 ton capacity, the 2.2 ton would give me 200kgs wiggle room, which might not be enough as you say in wind etc. The 2.5 would give me 500kgs wiggle room which might feel safer.

Ive probably over estimated the horses weights too (probably closer to 1900kg total weight) but I'd rather that then under estimate!

 

[Michen]

Thanks Michen, the tiguans I've looked at are 2.2-2.5 ton capacity, the 2.2 ton would give me 200kgs wiggle room, which might not be enough as you say in wind etc. The 2.5 would give me 500kgs wiggle room which might feel safer.

Ive probably over estimated the horses weights too (probably closer to 1900kg total weight) but I'd rather that then under estimate!

Yep I’d want it nearer the 2.5. But all I can say is the Tiguan is still a small 4x4, and I still think when towing two you do want a proper one. Particularly when you factor in two horses potentially bickering etc and two horses potentially chucking their weight around.


Like I say, I do it, it’s fine.. but long term plan is a proper 4x4

 

[scruffyponies]

Unless you need to go on muddy tracks and fields, you don't necessarily need 4wd. Front wheel drive, with the engine weight over the driving wheels, is fine for towing on the road, and will save quite a bit in fuel.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Unless you need to go on muddy tracks and fields, you don't necessarily need 4wd. Front wheel drive, with the engine weight over the driving wheels, is fine for towing on the road, and will save quite a bit in fuel.

Is there any you can think of? Will be mostly road towing

 

[Tiddlypom]

4WD all the way, even if all the off roading that you do is pulling slightly onto the grass verge to give way to oncoming traffic. You’ll be very glad of it then .

(I towed with 2WD vehicles for many years).

 

[scruffyponies]

I towed with a Terrano for ages. 4wd was selectable, and I only used it a handful of times in soggy fields.
It's useful... just not absolutely necessary.

 

[Whoopit]

I tow with a Mitsubishi Outlander. I only tow one horse - suspect it would feel laboured at maximum but has 2t capacity.

 

[GoldenWillow]

We're on our second CRV with tow weight of 2000kg, it's manual, diesel 4wd model, towed IW505 and cob approx 500kg mainly, occasionally added the the shetland, so probably 1700kg max. Never had any problems and as a day to day car love it. We get around 44mpg and it happily manages wet and moderately muddy fields (I use it to take stuff up and down our field, I keep thinking one day I'll get stuck but so far so good) I wouldn't expect it to cope with mud like one of the bigger 4x4's though. It has one of the larger boots in its category and with the back seats down has a huge amount of space.

A friend had a Kuga and it did have a few mechanical problems but don't know if this is common.

 

[scruffyponies]

Op, have you looked at a Nissan x-trail. I think if you choose the right engine they tow 2200kg, and not too bad on fuel.
Anybody here had one?

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Op, have you looked at a Nissan x-trail. I think if you choose the right engine they tow 2200kg, and not too bad on fuel.
Anybody here had one?

No I havent looked at those, not sure if id be pushing the towing limit tho