Towing Vehicle

[bcoote65]

Hello - I am looking into options for a new towing vehicle and am conscious of the fact that diesel/petrol cars will be phased out in the coming years. I will be towing nothing bigger than an IFOR Williams 505. Does anybody have any experience of towing with a hybrid ? What Hybrid would you recommend?

 

[phizz4]

I have no experience of towing with a hybrid, but you might have a look at the Caravan and Motorhome Club web site as they have reviews of hybrid tow cars. Obviously towing a caravan but could be a similar weight to what you have in mind. For what it is worth, these are my views. There is no pure electric vehicle capable of towing a loaded horse trailer available at present and, in my opinion, is never lilely to be, unless it has a very limited range. The only technology that can realistically replace a diesel is a hydrogen powered vehicle, which isn't available at the moment. We have taken the decision to keep our diesel tow car and hope it will last until a good alternative becomes available. Diesel fuel will still be available in 2030, lorries and vans will still need it, so I would go for the best tow car at the moment and cross the future bridge when you get to it.

 

[Michen]

When I looked there was no car that I would be comfortable towing with that was a hybrid.

So I ended up with a gas guzzling Touareg but towed two horses with it at the weekend to move them and it was a dream.

 

[Kizzy2004]

I have a Mitsubishi Outlander phev ( company car and they changed policy so only hybrids could be taken) and tow a 505. Towing capacity is 1,500 so I can only tow 1 pony with a bit of spare capacity so not fully loaded up to the max towing limit. It’s ok for short trips but I wouldn’t want to use it long distance.

Out of choice I wouldn’t have one. There are hybrids which have bigger towing capacities but are a lot more expensive. I’m sure the technology will improve in time but if I was in your position I would get a normal diesel 4x4.

 

[Wheels]

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid has a 3.5t towing capactiy - absolutely stunning, mega bucks though and I think unless you are able to use the electric motor a lot (and bearing in mind that it probably does about 25 miles max on electric only without the need for a charge) then the petrol engine would give you a relatively low MPG the rest of the time.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

When I looked there was no car that I would be comfortable towing with that was a hybrid.

So I ended up with a gas guzzling Touareg but towed two horses with it at the weekend to move them and it was a dream.

You need to stop mentioning your Touareg, I'm so jealous. I even showed OH the link you posted of your car hoping it would tempt the testosterone fueled impulse buyer in him but nothing.

 

[Wheels]

I have no experience of towing with a hybrid, but you might have a look at the Caravan and Motorhome Club web site as they have reviews of hybrid tow cars. Obviously towing a caravan but could be a similar weight to what you have in mind. For what it is worth, these are my views. There is no pure electric vehicle capable of towing a loaded horse trailer available at present and, in my opinion, is never lilely to be, unless it has a very limited range. The only technology that can realistically replace a diesel is a hydrogen powered vehicle, which isn't available at the moment. We have taken the decision to keep our diesel tow car and hope it will last until a good alternative becomes available. Diesel fuel will still be available in 2030, lorries and vans will still need it, so I would go for the best tow car at the moment and cross the future bridge when you get to it.

Agreed

There is also research underway into synthetic fuels that can be run in any combustion engine but at present it is expensive to produce