Posted on 12/08/2018 21:08
Hi all, I currently use a 2016 BMW X3 to tow my caravan.
Will maybe change cars next year & was just wondering is it always good practice to buy a 4 wheel drive car when towing? My thinking is if I was stuck in wet weather in a field for example, or is a rear-wheel drive just as adequate?
Cheers Tony.
Posted on 25/08/2018 13:19
Having had 9 4x4s and a similar number of 2wd towcars in every case 4wd is better. Both for traction off the mark on a wet road and slippery sites especially CL's.
In defence of SUV's I have had 5 big beast low range type towcars, 1 4wd car and 3 SUV's towing twin and single axle caravans. Subjectively the SUV's feel more stable and assured at speed on the road than the beasts and with an 8+ speed auto box you rarely need a low range. The advantage in efficiency is what sold SUV's to me 18-22mpg towing 28 mpg solo for a big beast to 27mpg towing and 45mpg solo better efficiency with the same BHP, a little less torque on the SUV. Oh and the £500+ / year road tax!
There are big differences in SUVs capability and they should not all be put in the same pigeon hole, for a rare example some of the recent Jeep Cherokee 4wd SUVs do have a low range option and 2400Kg max tow with 120Kg noseweight which is a bit different to a "normal" SUV of < 2000Kg tow and 80Kg ish noseweight.
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Posted on 13/08/2018 08:35 by JVB66Unless you have a real 4x4 the only advantage is the extra weight,as most "Chelsea Tractors" are fitted with the same tyres as most other types of car,and the only diference in "adverse" weather is any mishap is more spectacular
Posted on 25/08/2018 13:46 byTotal rubbish JVB. That comment sounds as if it came from a pretty stupid AA or RAC rescue mechanic. Back when I was tugging with a 2005 Volvo XC70 on soft road tyres we were on the Kimmeridge (Smedmore) site. It was really wet and at the bottom of the hill a couple were trying to pull their twin axle van up the hill with a Disco 3. Well and truly bogged down they eventually ask for help. My XC70 pulled the whole rig (Disco, van, two adults and two kids) up to the exit with no problem what so ever. The Haldex intelligent AWD system used on most soft road SUV is brilliant.
Posted on 25/08/2018 13:46 byTotal rubbish JVB. That comment sounds as if it came from a pretty stupid AA or RAC rescue mechanic. Back when I was tugging with a 2005 Volvo XC70 on soft road tyres we were on the Kimmeridge (Smedmore) site. It was really wet and at the bottom of the hill a couple were trying to pull their twin axle van up the hill with a Disco 3. Well and truly bogged down they eventually ask for help. My XC70 pulled the whole rig (Disco, van, two adults and two kids) up to the exit with no problem what so ever. The Haldex intelligent AWD system used on most soft road SUV's is brilliant. When the beast from the east came my current XC70 didn't bat a headlight or slip a wheel
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Posted on 25/08/2018 13:46 byTotal rubbish JVB. That comment sounds as if it came from a pretty stupid AA or RAC rescue mechanic. Back when I was tugging with a 2005 Volvo XC70 on soft road tyres we were on the Kimmeridge (Smedmore) site. It was really wet and at the bottom of the hill a couple were trying to pull their twin axle van up the hill with a Disco 3. Well and truly bogged down they eventually ask for help. My XC70 pulled the whole rig (Disco, van, two adults and two kids) up to the exit with no problem what so ever. The Haldex intelligent AWD system used on most soft road SUV's is brilliant. When the beast from the east came my current XC70 didn't bat a headlight or slip a wheel
Posted on 25/08/2018 14:01 by viatoremI daresay the drivers also played a part
Lunar Tony
Caravanner from East Sussex