Towing options

Blue850

I'm thinking of getting a proper car transporter for bringing the Fiat to some of the longer distance shows, but my everyday car isn't capable of towing that sort of weight (1400KGs approx). I don't want a 4WD as an everyday car as I'd need 3 seats and I'm not paying 3.0 litre passenger tax. So I was thinking
1 a Transit size van for everyday use, what are they like on diesel? are crew bus types taxed commercial?
2 Keep my current everyday and use a classic Range Rover on a vintage ins policy, fuel consumption wouldn't bother me on the odd Sunday I'd be using it for towing
3 Would a W116 Mercedes 280/450 SEL be a good tow car, again on a classsic ins policy?

Would I be covered by insurance to tow with a classic?
Any opinions and ideas welcome

Silvera

Personally I would opt for the Range Rover or Mercedes.

I'm sure classic policies should allow for towing, but it may cost a little extra (worth checking out with a few companies - please let us know their replies).

I have often thought about what I will buy as a Tow car and I would probably go for a RR, Land Rover or large Mercedes.


BTW, Do you have an EB licence ?
If not, you cannot exceed 3500kg max towing weight (i.e. Gross Vehicle Weight of car and trailer combined).

What is your everyday car?
Perhaps you should consider buying a larger everyday car and use it to tow (e.g. an Audi A4 with a small car transporter should be within the limits of a 'B' licence - weights on car chassis plate would need to be checked)

BrianD3

I think he has a 94 Vectra TD Silvera. According to a magazine I have the maximum braked towing weight for this car is 19.7 hundredweight (approx 1000 kg) The petrol Vectras are listed as having higher towing weights than the TD for some reason. Also the non turbo diesel has a lower weight than the TD.

Given that hi car isn't that far off being able to tow his trailer I'd say a bigger car such as an Omega diesel would tow it.

shagman

A camper van ? Cheap tax, cheap insurance and if it's over 3000kg €50 vrt. Nice place to make a cup of tea or shelter from the rain too!

JohnBoy

Pick the right peugeot 406 or mondeo and you can get up to 1800KG towing capacity.

i'm not sure i'd like doing it myself mind.

the rangey is the way to go, but can be dammed rusty. parts are cheap and they're easy to work on. would you be willing to pay the tax on a 2.5?

if so that brings range rovers and discoveries of a much more modern age into your reach, or possibly one of the ultimate tow cars, the bmw 525tds

the ultimate compromise of reasonable towing and economy by the way, following a lot of studying of parkers.co.uk is the bmw 530d rated to both 2000kg and 40mpg

probably the next closest is a 2.2 frontera at 2400kg and 35mpg

Torq

Hi
Why not get a towing frame like this one on ebay.
item 150016828411
You wont have to pull the additional weight of a transporter or change your car. I've seen campers with micras stuck to them using these frames in europe and ireland. And when you are finished with it you stick it in the boot or hang it up in the shed so saving space in your drive that the transporter would take.
Keep well,
Torq

Blue850

Thanks for all the replies, not too sure about the legality of the towing frame and about attaching it to the front of an 850, transverse leaf spring and antiroll bar in front of it make attaching one akward if not impossible. I reckon i'll go for a W116 Merc 280SE which will give me the option to bring the Fiat or not. roll on SSIA

gn3dr

Subaru Legacy Turbo estate - 4 wheel drive & plenty power for towing. Cheap too depending on what year you are looking for. I had one for towing a rally car on a trailer and when I sold it, it had 230,000 milkes on it and was still going strong.

I know someone selling a 99 Twin Turbo Legacy GTB auto estate at the moment. I think he's looking for about 10K.

Silvera

JohnBoy wrote:

Pick the right peugeot 406 or mondeo and you can get up to 1800KG towing capacity.

i'm not sure i'd like doing it myself mind.

the rangey is the way to go, but can be dammed rusty. parts are cheap and they're easy to work on. would you be willing to pay the tax on a 2.5?

if so that brings range rovers and discoveries of a much more modern age into your reach, or possibly one of the ultimate tow cars, the bmw 525tds

the ultimate compromise of reasonable towing and economy by the way, following a lot of studying of parkers.co.uk is the bmw 530d rated to both 2000kg and 40mpg

probably the next closest is a 2.2 frontera at 2400kg and 35mpg

Interesting stuff!

Do you happen to know the unladen and gross weight of the Peogeot 406 or Mondeo?
Which models can tow 1800kg ? Diesel versions?

Likewise the unldaden and gvw of the 525tds?


I'm wondering if any of these would come under the combined 3500kg gvw restriction of a 'B' Licence?

BrianD3

I've got some What Car mags here which give towing weights for all cars on sale at the time the mag was published. Many newer editions of the mag don't seem to have this data though.

Just looking at What Car from July 1996 i can't find any Mondeos or 406s with tow weights of 1800 kg. Maybe these models were introduced in later years. The towing weight for a BMW 525 Tds E39 is given as 1975 kg with the kerb weight being 1555 kg. For the BMW 528i the figures are 2050 and 1495. So again the petrol car has a higher tow weight than the diesel one. These weights are for braked trailers obviously.

As for licences I'd guess that the max d.g.v.w of a 5 series is approx 2000-2100 kg. So that would mean that you cannot legally use the full towing capacity with a B licence.