Towing vehicles and running costs

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Allykat

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Sorry I'm sure this has been asked 1000 times already
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For those that tow trailers, what do you use to tow with and what would you say your average running costs of that vehicle are??
 
As far as i am aware, the most economical car that can comfortably (and legally) tow 2 big horses and a trailer is a Ford Galaxy. We've got one, but dad does all the towing. I think without towing, it can do around (total guess) 50 miles to the gallon, but when towing, it goes down to around 20/30odd miles. Oh, and it's diesel.

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As I do a lot of mileage (not towing) the fuel costs for my old pajero were astronomic, it has worked out cheaper to buy an old landrover just for towing- tax & £100 insurance- & an economical runaround for everyday stuff. I dont tend to go much over 20-30 miles away with the horses, if that changes Ill need a rethink but at the mo its the cheapest way for me to do it
 
I tow with a Kia Sorrento - it hardly notices 2 1/2 tons - still acelerates up steep hills in 4th gear!!!

Last year the caravan club awarded it tow vehicle of the year.

It does mid 30's to the gallon unladen and probably about high 20s laden. (It takes approx 70 litres to fill up which lasts 400 - 450 miles if you want to work it out!)

The downside - not many cheap ones on the market yet as they are only about 4 years old.
Go for a manual if you are going to get one as the auto box is a bit complicated and would cost a bomb if it went wrong.
 
I had a disco which did a reasonable 30 - 35 mpg, it was a 97 model and I had it serviced once (only owned just over a year) which cost me approx 350 quid. tax was 180 quid but can't remember insurance group. Annual trailer service approx 100 -150 quid (depending on what needs doing).

Put it this way, my little 306 cost me nearly 500 quid to get it serviced first time (it's a 2001 model!) and my lorry nearly 600 quid (needed work on brakes) without the cost of insuring and taxing two vehicles. Hence I am extremely keen to revert to 4x4 and trailer this year before I have to start remortgaging!!
 
Thank you for that. I'm beginning to think a 4x4 and trailer is my best and cheapest option now. When you price things up like that its quite amazing really
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