What Tow Car.....?

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-02-10T18:59:15Z

I have been using an Xtrail....but it's got to go....that is another story.
I have a max of 4k to spend on a tow car....!!!

I have seem some older Freelanders that I quite like but is a 1.8 petrol man enough for the job. Or do I keep looking for a diesel.?

I don't really want a big off roader like a Discovery or such....

I have been looking at Frontera's Maverick's Terrano's but do like the Freelander.

My signature.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

sean
Member

2007-02-10T20:31:22Z

#2

got to be a sorrento, but suspect you would struggle with your budget

Graeme
Member

2007-02-11T08:04:23Z

#3

I use a Seat Alhambra (aka Ford Galaxy or VW Sharan) Diesel to tow mine. It's good for towing up to 2 tonnes and gives you 40+ mpg when not towing, also lots of room for gear. Prior to the Alhambra I had a Discovery diesel automatic - great car but 22mpg!

Graeme Parker P235/22 "Gentoo"

Geoff Harwood
Advanced Member

2007-02-19T09:54:09Z

#4

I tow my P21 about a mile at each end of the season with my Seat Leon TDI! Seems to do the job and it's a cracking little whizzabout the rest of the year!

Geoff

Graham Ebb
Advanced Member

2007-02-19T12:45:03Z

#5

Hi Paul,

I tow my 235 with a 2.5 turbo diesel Cherokee. It is brilliant at towing and can pull up to about two tons. Even on steep slipways it crawls up the slip on tick over with the boat and trailer.
I swapped mine last year and picked up a year 2000 model with 45k on the clock for just under 5k. Have a look at the size, they are not as big as people think and they are very strong.

Stephen Godber
Member

2007-02-19T16:56:35Z

#6

Paul - if you read my article about our epic trip back to Mull you'll see I really rate the Sorento, although as Sean says you will struggle to get one for 4k. It has switchable 4x4 so 99% of the time you are only in rear wheel drive, hence 35mpg (really). Towing I get about 25mpg. I've done 33,000 in mine in two years, of which a third has been towing, and it is brilliant. Take the trailer off and it handles superbly - I've not track day'd it yet, but it would leave a Disco dead. That said, for 4k you'll be best getting an auto Discovery.[8D]

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-02-19T18:08:47Z

#7

I've bought a Vaxhaul Frontera 2.2i RS Sport year2000.

Rated to tow 2400kg, has a low ratio gear box, selectable 4 wheel drive. (no centre diff)

Well within my price range...

Thanks for all your advice.

By the way went sailing Saturday, great days sail...but am I allowed to say that on this forum....might be classed as a blog....!!!!!!!!1

My signature.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-02-26T21:18:14Z

#8

Used the Frontera for the first time (towing) last Saturday..

Just to let you know....

Rutland's level is very high so you need to go further down the slip to get the boat to float on/off.
Rear wheels were up to the axle...rear tires on loose gravel..selected low ratio 4wheel drive 1st gear and it pulled the boat out so easy didn't think I had attached it...
No slipping the clutch...no high revving....very pleased with it..

Just need to try it on the motorway now..

My signature.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-03-14T20:29:45Z

#9

Tried pulling the 235 out of it's parking spot with my large van....slight slope with gravel....NO chance...wheel spin city...Had to get a guy with a tractor...The Frontera has no problems at all...

Hoping to go to the Norfolk Broards at Easter...have to see how it tows on the open road..

My signature.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

Ken Surplice
Advanced Member

2007-03-23T21:26:38Z

#10

If you have problems at the slipway, but are OK once rolling, consider an electic winch to hook on a towbar bracket. I used to have one in my pre-sailing life - it is quick to fit and save clutches, tyres and arguments. It can also help keep the back of your car dry. Cheers-Ken

Ken Surplice
Vice Commodore

Ken

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-03-23T21:44:24Z

#11

Towed my 235 from Rutland to Fosdyke Yacht Haven yesterday about 40 miles....Had to go through Stamford.

Towed fine....speed was 50mph most of the time with the occasional 60mph ish...

What tire pressures do you guys run...(trailer not car)

My signature.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

Stephen Godber
Member

2007-03-25T13:06:36Z

#12

Paul - my RM trailer runs at 36 psi (165 / 80 R13).

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

Neil Sinclair
Advanced Member

2007-04-07T21:11:26Z

#13

And I thought this was going to be a thread about genoa sheeting!

Neil

Neil Sinclair
Seal 28/27
'Andiamo of Exe'

Stephen Godber
Member

2007-04-09T12:14:33Z

#14

I AM considering a Barton 16v Gsi 4 x 4 Genoa tow car! Nice one Neil![^]

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

PaulBurton
Member Topic Starter

2007-07-23T07:41:57Z

#15

Changed my car again.......

It had to be done...the Frontera struggled at motorway speeds....

I have bought a Landrover Discovery... Don't get it until the weekend..

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Paul Burton.

Wayfarer no.9362

David Pocock
Member

2007-07-23T13:42:13Z

#16

Paul

I towed mine from the yard to Inverness (400 miles) with a Discovery diesel and did not even notice the boat was there.

Locally, I tow with a Subaru Forester (manual with low ratio gearbox)and, while I certainly know I have something hanging on the back, it is no problem to launch or travel reasonably short distances.

David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

Stephen Godber
Member

2007-07-24T11:00:35Z

#17

I still rate this very highly!

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Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"