What fast 4x4 do you have to tow trailers but without B+E

Bikerchickone

Bikerchickone

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Sorry, I know this has been done to death and back again and I have searched old posts but nobody other than me seems to have asked about the car I like!

Hubby has finally agreed we can get a bigger 4x4 (currently have Scooby Impreza) and somewhat unrealistically I guess, I want a 4x4 that will weigh under 2000kg and be able to tow a downplated single or lightweight trailer whilst not needing me to have to do the trailer test. Oh and just in case that doesn't seem unrealistic enough it has to be seriously quick and handle well for the rest of the time.

High fuel consumption and insurance groups not a problem, will possibly convert to gas and have held my completely clean licence since a month after they changed they towing rules. Yes I'm gutted about that but can't be helped now :o

I kind of have my eye out for a Subaru Tribeca http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Tribeca which I'm sure we can all agree is exceptionally ugly, but I love my current Scooby and really rate both its driver handling and reliability. I am a speed freak, not allowed bikes any more since I became a parent, so my car is it.

Has to be comfy because I drive a lot for work and not so bothered what the outside looks like as you may have guessed, because I'll spend most of my time looking at the inside!

Chocolate chip cookies for anyone who can think of anything that might fit.

Oh and in case you're wondering why I don't just get the Tribeca, they've stopped making them here so latest ones are about 2009 and I'm a bit concerned about potential for problems getting parts should I have to. Plus they're flipping hard to find! ;)
 
Hello! Long time no see!

What about an ML270? My friend said best thing she ever bought... run around for the kids, tow vehicle for caravan and hb505, not bad on diesel... she bought hers 2nd hand.
 
Audi RS6... it 'could' tow, in theory I believe, ours was good in the snow, lots of space for the family, lovely to drive.

Ah, not sure how much it weighs though... ah, good shows me that the 2002-2004 models are under 2t with the later models over.
 
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i still think you would struggle to tow a trailer with a horse in. you can and im pretty sure im right (well i bloody hope so as im towing a catering trailer ) but you can tow up to 750kg .... thats ****** all in terms of a horse trailer, people equipment and horse!
 
I have a 3.0 litre petrol SWB Shogun. It's seriously quick if you want to watch the fuel gauge do down rapidly.

Oh, I believe they weigh about 1.8 ton.
 
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Thanks Tallyho, that's actually the other one hubby suggested, once remapped they pretty nippy. Only thing is I think they weigh more than 2000kg!

JHoward, I didn't think there was a limit of 750kg on the trailer, only that the car had to weigh more and the combined weight of the two shouldn't exceed 3500kg? Or surely nobody would be able to legally tow without B+E and I'm sure I know people who do and it hasn't been a problem.

Unfortunately Audi RS6 is just not big enough as a family car either or I'd love one!

Had a LWB Pajero in the past but hated the handling, might try a SWB version though, thanks! :)
 
Echo 9Tails...i have a 3L V6 Shogun, petrol and they can be seriously nippy when the need arises!! Tows like a dream too.. mine's an automatic and makes towing so much more pleasant in my experience.

I know where you coming from on the 'scooby' front as my OH has one too!,.. god i love that turbo boost you get sometimes when it's needed or wanted! LOL
 
McCauley said:
Echo 9Tails...i have a 3L V6 Shogun, petrol and they can be seriously nippy when the need arises!! Tows like a dream too.. mine's an automatic and makes towing so much more pleasant in my experience.

I know where you coming from on the 'scooby' front as my OH has one too!,.. god i love that turbo boost you get sometimes when it's needed or wanted! LOL
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Hehe, that turbo boost is what's ruining other cars for me now! Mine is also a full Prodrive kit conversion done at the factory so is quite the beast. I know I need to slow down a little but still need a driver's car IYSWIM! ;)
 
honetpot said:
More complicated than you think, I would be worried about going over the 3.5 tonne. If the car is light enough to make the figures work it would worry me as if you get a sway on the horse could move a flip the rig.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1100356
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Yes I'm aware it's tricky, and this is why I want the car around 2000kgs, with a trailer like the Bateson Derby which only weighs 675kg I'd still be well within the limits with one 600kg max horse inside. Luckily both my two are fabulous old hands at traveling but I wouldn't consider it if they weren't!

Martlin, I'm not sure the Forester or the Outback is quite big enough either, although I do really like the outbacks!
 
Bikerchickone said:
Yes I'm aware it's tricky, and this is why I want the car around 2000kgs, with a trailer like the Bateson Derby which only weighs 675kg I'd still be well within the limits with one 600kg max horse inside. Luckily both my two are fabulous old hands at traveling but I wouldn't consider it if they weren't!

Martlin, I'm not sure the Forester or the Outback is quite big enough either, although I do really like the outbacks!
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Well, I can't find their GVW, but assume as the kerbweight of the Forester is around 1500kg, its GVW will be around the 2t mark. Unfortunately, to fit a combination easily, you are looking at a smallish 4x4.
I don't tow horses if I can help it, but work it on my stock trailer, my x-trail
1475 kg kerb weight
2050 GVW
2000kg towing capacity
trailer 1450kg MAM
It's tight, but it works, no need to worry about being overweight as too many sheep won't physically fit in the stock trailer, lol.
I like the Nissan, it used to be nice and fast and is very comfy, handles great and has tight turning circle, but now it is old and the turbo is not that reliable, well, it's still fast, but it has no acceleration whatsoever :eek: The fuel economy is OKish, doing mid 30s to a gallon without trailer. Not cheap to tax, but hey, well, if I wanted a bicycle I would get one :p

ETS: I'm not sure I should jinx it, but I do Melton run nearly every week and Newark every fortnight, pass VOSA checkpoints every time and, well, nobody has ever asked me to show them my licence, or stock carrying licence or, well, anything at all :eek: :o
 
For B licence single horse towing, ROG, the HHO expert in these things normally recommends as a first option a Nissan X trail as per the poster above.

There is a towing sticky posts in the competing section of the forum. If you ask on there ROG will be able to give you full advice. (he knows everything on this subject!)
 
I think my X-Trail was possessed - it kept trying to kill me :eek:

First the turbo caught fire and set fire to the engine while going down the M5 - thank God I wasn't towing, it was quite hairy enough without... I'd had it less than 3 months.

At the end of a 9 month period where it spent more time back at the dealers than it did with me and I was in the process of involving Trading Standards, it was drawing exhaust gases into the cabin and trying to kill me that way.

They did swap it for a Grand Vitarra then, which may not be inspiring but handles the trailer easily and isn't possessed either :D
 
Avonbrook said:
I think my X-Trail was possessed - it kept trying to kill me :eek:

First the turbo caught fire and set fire to the engine while going down the M5 - thank God I wasn't towing, it was quite hairy enough without... I'd had it less than 3 months.

At the end of a 9 month period where it spent more time back at the dealers than it did with me and I was in the process of involving Trading Standards, it was drawing exhaust gases into the cabin and trying to kill me that way.

They did swap it for a Grand Vitarra then, which may not be inspiring but handles the trailer easily and isn't possessed either :D
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Crikey that's not good! Mine have been fairly well behaved! Turbos can be a weak point altho if they're going to go its usually within warranty period from new. The only other issue I've had with one is on an older one the fuel pump went but the fuel injection specialists managed to repair it so it wasn't as horrendous. I like the fact they have a diff lock for very tricky ground and also 4wd and 2wd and a good balance between on road and off road abilities.
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Crikey that's not good! Mine have been fairly well behaved! Turbos can be a weak point altho if they're going to go its usually within warranty period from new. The only other issue I've had with one is on an older one the fuel pump went but the fuel injection specialists managed to repair it so it wasn't as horrendous. I like the fact they have a diff lock for very tricky ground and also 4wd and 2wd and a good balance between on road and off road abilities.
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Hmmm, sounds like I might have to put them on my list then, just worried they won't have the go fast around corners (not whilst towing might I add!) that I so much enjoy in my current car.

Starting to think I should make the hubby have a towing car and I'll have a newer Scooby!

Thank you very much all for your input :)
 
Bikerchickone said:
Hmmm, sounds like I might have to put them on my list then, just worried they won't have the go fast around corners (not whilst towing might I add!) that I so much enjoy in my current car.
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I can certainly go faster round corners in the x-trail than in my OH's Toyota Auris :) Don't get me wrong, 2l Auris goes well and has plenty of power, but doesn't handle anywhere near as great as the nissan.
 
I had a Range Rover Sport Supercharged...seriously quick (400bhp), shed loads of torque,capable of towing 3.5tons,unrivalled offroad/traction capability,comfy and big enough for the family and a couple of big dogs...:D I towed 2.5 tonnes (not of horse!) up 2miles of steep,bendy hill over 4inches of settled snow,in a blizzard...awesome car:)
 
Does z turbo waste more fuel. Never had a turbo before. I have to do my test too. But lessons are so expensive and test can't afford at min have too much other things. So I'll hopefully do mine next year.
 
Bikerchick - what are you waiting for - Buy a Subaru Legacy!!! 2.5 or 3.0ltr will do the job nicely, and they o like stink too!!!

And I strongly suspect hubby's Jag would make a fine job of towing....but he won't entertain a tow bar!!
 
Bikerchickone said:
I want a 4x4 that will weigh under 2000kg and be able to tow a downplated single or lightweight trailer whilst not needing me to have to do the trailer test.
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Are you referring to actual weight or GVW ?

The rules for towing on a B licence refer to GVW not actual weight

Add vehicle GVW to trailer plated MAM = max 3500 kgs
Trailer plated MAM must not be more than vehicle kerb weight
 
An 01 plate Forester Turbo. It is meant to do 0-60 in 6 seconds or something and apparently has an Impreza engine. ***** on fuel, built like the proverbial so takes no notice when I ram it into fences trying to park it/get trailer through narrow gates etc, or indeed when the local garage drove into it with their transporter :eek:

I have had this for 10 years now and love it. Tow an Ifor 401 with no problems, although nothing larger than 15.2hh. Plenty of space for tack, dog, moving house etc.

It is getting on a bit but can't imagine not having a Subaru in my life ;)
 
^^^my husband had a Porsche Cayenne - whilst its unarguably fast,it was nowhere near as good as the Range Rover off road or in the snow. He frequently left it at home and used the Range Rover when it had snowed heavily,after having some hairy journeys in the snow in it. (In fact,he pronounced it '*****' in the snow,compared to the RR;))
 
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