Towing vehicle dilemma - what would you go for?

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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Hi - I am sure this has been posted up before, and if it has apologies and please send me a link, but looking for some towing advice.

We have around £10k, to pull an equitrek, my 16.3 WB and an occasional friend, so probably needs capacity of 3t, just yo be safe.

Currently choosing between
Kia sorrento
Discovery
Nissan Pathfinder

Much prefer the look of the discovery, BUT I am really worried about their reliability, particularly an older model (which is all we could afford). Kia I like less but have good reviews and the pathfinder is enormous!

Anyone have experiences with the above they could share? Or is there something else I haven't looked at.

Which would you go for and why?

Thanks
 
LOOOOOVE my disco :) tows and does normal disco stuff on a daily basis, and we also do search and rescue, "proper" off road driving, and part of a recovery team too :) Mr Mainwaring is a 1996 model and never lets me down, the odd thing has gone wrong but parts are super easy to get hold of and easy to fix, I maintain and service most things myself (but I am not a "typical girl" hehe)
 
Hi, I think your main concern will be the 3tonne weight, which many cars won't tow, (Kia is I think 2500kg) I have currently got a 2003 discovery and an R reg defender, both of which tow fabulously, but have cost me 4k in repairs since June!!! I am now fed up and since I do not tow the weights you do have opted to chop them both in for an SUV type car instead before they bankrupt me. It's a minefield!
 
nicelittle said:
Hi, I think your main concern will be the 3tonne weight, which many cars won't tow, (Kia is I think 2500kg) I have currently got a 2003 discovery and an R reg defender, both of which tow fabulously, but have cost me 4k in repairs since June!!! I am now fed up and since I do not tow the weights you do have opted to chop them both in for an SUV type car instead before they bankrupt me. It's a minefield!
Click to expand...

Most are 2.8ton, some (Titan) are 3.5 ton. The new ones are rubbish.
 
We've got a '94 Disco that we paid £400 for with 5 months MOT and 3 months tax. It also came with another Disco for spares (so 2 cars for £400).
Since September we've had to replace both inner wings as they were rotten, the cylinder head as the head gasket went, the gearbox and diff as gearbox was clunky, clutch, and some more. It's probably only cost £300 since purchase though as we got such a good deal with the other Disco for spares!

I do love our Disco but I wouldn't take one on if you're not happy to do work on it yourself as the bills then start to mount up very quickly at £60/hr for labor in a garage. £10k should get you a fairly new and tidy Disco though, it's not like you'll be going for a £400 special a we did :p.
 
This is why an older model is better as they have a higher towing capacity.

Thanks for the advice all - think it may end up tossing a coin between disco and Kia. though the Kia has a better warranty and maybe you get more for your money..
 
What equitrek trailer ?
What weight in the trailer when 2 horses in it ?

I assume you have a B+E licence ?

Check out the bottom link in my signature below
 
When in your situation last year we looked at two or three discos having had older ones before but talking to one of my local farmer friends he recommended a short wheelbase shogun. We bought an automatic swb Shogun on a 56 plate for about £8K with 80000 miles on the clock, and it hasn't missed a beat. We tow with it most weekends and it eats up the miles. I have delivered two horses approx 200 miles and it was fantastic. On the downside it is expensive to tax but imo well worth it.
 
ROG said:
What equitrek trailer ?
What weight in the trailer when 2 horses in it ?

I assume you have a B+E licence ?

Check out the bottom link in my signature below
Click to expand...

Thanks ROG

It's a space trekka L
My horse weighs approx 650kg, would like the ability to take 2 the same size (although this will rarely happen ). So need to be able to have approx 1300kg of horse in.

I have the correct license. :-)
 
Re the shoguns people are recommending - do you not find them massive?
I'd still like something that drives nicely.

Actually I'd like a defender but too much £££!
 
My brother has a pathfinder which I occasionally use to tow and it pulls really well, even up the tough hills which my old towing car struggled with. I also think you get more for your money with a pathfinder, the reversing camera really helps solo hook ups. I also borrowed a kia Sorrento once which I found jolty to tow with, but it may have been that individual car possible dodgey gear box.
 
arwenplusone said:
Thanks ROG

It's a space trekka L
My horse weighs approx 650kg, would like the ability to take 2 the same size (although this will rarely happen ). So need to be able to have approx 1300kg of horse in.

I have the correct license. :-)
Click to expand...
Space Trekka L
Max gross weight 2600 kg
Unlaiden weight 1250.00 kg

Horses 1300

Vehicle needs towing capacity of at least 2600
 
If the Kia will do the job then I would recommend one. I have an 03 one, it pulls an Ifor Williams 505, has pulled the 510 too with 2 in and seems to do it effortlessly. Mine is the automatic wish makes towing so much easier, love it.
 
Can't fault my Kia - also the older model so more towing capacity.

When it is not 'working' it is also a very comfortable car and good on diesel for its size. Have had mine from new (05 plate) and bar normal servicing and maintenance, the only thing that we have had to replace is the propshaft, not bad considering I have done 110,000 miles in it.
 
I had a pathfinder and loved it, changed to a VW Touareg 12 months ago which I love more. More luxurious car for work, when not towing. I tow an equitrek star treka. Had a disco before pathfinder - forever breaking down, would never have another.
 
ROG said:
Space Trekka L
Max gross weight 2600 kg
Unlaiden weight 1250.00 kg

Horses 1300

Vehicle needs towing capacity of at least 2600
Click to expand...
Forgot to say that the total of 2550 is very close to the trailer max MAM of 2600 so I advise taking to a weighbridge with 2 horses on board
 
i had a Mercedes ML and loved it. Good acceleration, small turning circle so easy to reverse, comfortable car with heated seats and lots of luxuries. After 10 years when it became unviable to repair we bought a 52 Discovery. Hate it. Really sluggish to pull away, noisy, and turns like a tank. As soon as I can afford to it is on its way in favour of another Merc. Both expensive in fuel so I drive an old Fiesta every day.
 
If you have 10k to spend you could get a lovely Landcruiser which has max tow capacity and nice interior with loads of storage, get the 4.2 diesel over any other model
 
I've got an older Kia (so the better towing capacity) LOVE IT.
Has been totally reliable, better fuel consumption, tax etc than most Disco's. Comfortable enough and good to drive as an "every day" car. Has pulled out of mud/snow when all around it have floundered
 
I have an 03 Kia but with only 54k on the clock (lucky find) and it is fab. Has just cruised through its MOT, is good on diesel and tows a 600+kg warmblood and chunky 500+kg with ease in a Bateson Ascot. Towing capacity 2800kg. Highly recommend
 
love my Sorento....great to tow with and a very nice car to drive around in every day. I had a manual, have just swapped to auto as even better for towing and I get the max 3500kg. Couldn't recommend enough.
 
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