What model is best for towing 1850kg caravan?

[pishpaw]

Gentlemen (and Ladies) i am pondering over what model (pre 2006) to purchase to lug around my beaut of a caravan? DIESEL or PETROL? And what engine size if it was PETROL? Was also going to consider a 3.2 v6 toerag but need some help! The fuel costs are immaterial, reliability isnt!

[AW8]

I don't tow but any engine wuill do. useful torque wold be provided from a facelift 2004 onwards 3.0d - perhaps with a remap, though I have heard of folk towing big trailers with a 3.0i..........obviously auto preferable for towing -std on V8's and optional on 3.0i & 3.0d although in reality non auto optioned cars are rare.

There was what appeared to be a lovely,(private sale), black 3.0d facelift on Pistonheads yesterday for 14.5k & with sensible mileage, (warning panoramic roofs need to be fully checked for full operation).

Max BHP/£ would be a 4.6is a decent high miler with near £2k spent of late on PH for £8.5k at moment. 3 way adjustable suspension std on these and 4.8is, ( remarkable value from circa £14k),not without the odd reliability issue. Those without this optioned or std, (as 4.6is & 4.8is), have self levelling rear suspension which if you have the correct towing module fitted should allow the cars sensors to recognise a trailer is being drawn & once you connect the electrics - I think it allows DSC to recognise the trailer.

Towing with a V8 expect mid teens MPG - a diesle could near double this. LPG conversions can make sense for many with used petrol X5's & the wise petrol buyer considering this sources a car with a decent LPG sytem fitted - though do consider you cant take LPG cars on eurotunnel.

Towbars not cheap to get fitted at dealer but aftermarket ones out there original equipment (OE) made by Westafalia click here for link

Some cars on 2nd/3rd or later owner might have had a detachable towhook equipped towbar prior fitted, (now absent of towhook), & owner now unaware> Worth checking behind the tow eye trim cover on a used car in which case you would only need the detachable towhook assuming bar & electrics in place.

X5 steering and suspension far less bouncy than outging Touareg (I know as I borrowed one for a week).

Al X5s can tow that weight. German Tow recommendations are 2300kg braked on max gradient 12% increasing to 2500 kg for certain trailers, (2400kg for the 3.0i). I dont take credit for knowing this it was in back of my owners handbook ! If in any doubt re towing then check out this image of a 3.0i used by a stateside owner on xoutpost forums. clicky here

Don't dismiss Disco 3 or a Range Rover though these and in truth the X5 probably not the most reliable choices. If you want best reliability CondorX5 had a Nisan Partol which only needed a clutch plate in 300k miles ! Toyota Land Cruisers inc Amazon may serve well. I am not sure on specific tow load weights on any of these altewrnatives. Personally I like the idea of a double cab Hi-Lux as a pure workhorse albeit I wouldnt want one as everyday family transport. I don't profess to be an expert on all other 4x4's & the fact you are here indicates you have probaly done some research on other 4x4s before coming here. CondorX5 gets another mention here as a member with far more first hand 4x4 experience than many (an ex P38 Range Rover owner but not a fan of the Disco 3 from recollection).

For more E53 shape, (pre 07), X5 info then check out the buyers guide at top of this section.

Maybe also pop over to newbie intro section to introduce yourself

[Sherwood]

I towed our Avante 640 to Scotland and back this summer without a hitch (sic) with my 3.0D







It was a joy to drive after towing with an old Discovery.

[lezmtaylor]

I towed my 26ft cabin cruiser on a 4 wheel trailer back from Melton Mowbray with the 4.4 on lpg.
Have no idea of mpg , but sat it at 50mph on cruise control.
Also have no idea of weight towed, but boat has a twin 2litre volvo engine and twin outdrive setup so must weigh at least 2.5 ton plus the trailer at 1 ton.
Whether legal or not have no idea and don't want to know as it was a one off trip to deliver to my marina berth
Lez

[pvr]

Scotland ??? But there is sun shine ...

Agreed that any model will tow very happily.

[Sherwood]

[quote=""pvr""]Scotland ??? But there is sun shine ... [/quote]

I only take photos when the sun shines...

[CondorX5]

With my 20+ years of 4x4 ownership here are my thoughts on the subject......

1. If you want absolute reliablility then street cred has to take a back step, I'm afraid, its Jap all the way.....The Nissan Patrol as AW8 mentioned was the utmost in reliability, I had one from new and it was amazing, was properly serviced but only ever needed a clutch plate, and that at 300K miles!! It towed like a dream and coped with the worst of the worst terrain. Toyota Landcruisers / Amazons have similar track records. Cons with these cars are that they are quite clumsy and lumberingly huge on UK roads, and mightly difficult to fit into town centres and car parks!!! Newer Nissans I have no experience of, but I know a lot of reliable XTrails, unexciting though they may be.....

Mitsubishi Shoguns / Pajeros don't have quite the same reliability index, though, there are quite a lot more electrickery-bits on them, just like X5s, Rangies etc.

2. I traded my Patrol in for a P38 Range Rover which was a one-owner special edition and I cossetted it for 6 years - I actually have not sold it yet, a tinge of sadness about getting rid of it plus time-constraints and was working away from home for a year. I loved the Rangie but it was by far the most expensive car maintenance wise. It cost an absolute fortune to keep it pristine, and at 11, nearly 12, years old and 136K miles later, it still runs superbly, although with the quirks that its marque is known for!!! It towed fantastically and never let me down, kept me mobile in all weathers, but OMG, the nuisance (expensive) electrical and aircon faults were legion. Also, the build quality is really rubbish next to German vehicles. I'm not enticed by an L322- older models are showing similar electrical catastrophies to the P38!!! Having said all that, my beloved Rangie has had all her problems ironed out and I'm looking for a good offer and a loving home for her!!!!!!

3. Tried the Disco - all three generations - absolutely hated it. 1 and 2 seemed so unbalanced, top-heavy - saw a few tumble over in accidents. 3 - well its just so bug-ugly, like the Cayenne really. And also plagued with electrical gremlins.

4. Cayenne was an option but I hated the looks and its not cheap to maintain either, at Porsches prices. It shares heritage with the Touareg, which I also considered (The V10) but was put off by tales of expensive failures and the hard seats.

5. Similarly, the Merc (boring) and Audi (bloated and too big for normal parking spots!) didn't do it for me. All the aforesaid vehicles can tow pretty capably with their large engines, it just depends on what interior spec you like, and what reliability index you believe!!!

X5 E53 haven't got the greatest reliability record, but in my opinion, none of the others has the same drive quality AND high quality finish. The Audi is beautifully finished, but the car is bloated and huge, unlike the sleek lines of the X5. And a V8, if cared for and (here's a controversial one!) not LPG converted, will last for many many thousands of miles- my Rangie is testament to that! The Patrol was a straight 6, so don't discount a 6-cylinder car, V6 or straight!!!
I owned a 3.0i for 9 months prior to part-exing for the 4.8, and the 3.0i was a really nice car, towed very capably, but the MPG when towing was not as good as the 4.8 gives me now!!! I get around 20-21mpg towing a big heavy trailer with a big roof box on the X, on the 4.8. I can't even feel the trailer to be honest.
Its got a factory fitted towbar which integrates with the electrics. Its such a nuisance to remove that I leave it attached and locked - protects my rear bumper from the idiots behind me!!! The other thing with X5s esp in the used market, is the BMW AUC warranty, which is as good as it gets really, with a decent name for no-quibble repairs under warranty unlike many others.

Anyhow, that's my ramblings after many years of 4x4 ownership........hope you make the right choice for yourself in the end, good luck in the search!!!!

PS forgot to mention, I don't enjoy diesels, so haven't mentioned them as I have no experience of ownership of one - having said that, the 3.0D X5 is of course by far the most popular model in the UK, so lots of people DO like them!!

[Turks]

Good informative and impartial post there Condor...

One thing I would add, and a pretty important thing in my eyes is... it isn't difficult to get an extra 2tons moving behind you - its more stopping the additional weight...

I don't have and real experience with other 4X4's but I know that the brakes on the 4.8is are brilliant... bigger discs back and front than any other model.


Turks.

[CondorX5]

I agree about the 4.8brakes....they are fantastic - although the Rangie and the Patrol were very competent in the brake department, as well.. There's an old adage about never going faster downhill than you can travel up the same hill.....never so true as when towing, especially a 2 ton trailer! I think V8s are pretty well up to the job, as are many if not all 6 cylinder vehicles.......it all depends on what style you want to arrive in and the interior comforts that make you happy!