Home  
Site Partners: SpotterGuides Veloce Books  
Related Sites: Your Link Here  

Go Back   TenTenths Motorsport Forum > Road Car Forums > Road Car Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 4 Mar 2004, 11:01 (Ref:893373)   #1
GoThatWay
Rookie
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Somerset
Posts: 62
GoThatWay should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Recommendations for a tow car

... please.

For towing a 2-seater on a flatbed, total weight about 1.5 tonnes.

Current XJ8 isn't that great (gearing's all wrong, long rear overhang doesn't help maneouvering). Previous Saab 9-5 estate was good, as were earlier Legacy and (of course) Range Rover. I'm now wanting to down-size a bit to something that will be a bit of fun - when not towing - but on the other hand the heavier the towing vehicle the better.

What's a good compromise ? i know of one chap who uses an Impreza - is that good or daft ?
GoThatWay is offline  
__________________
First you've gotta finish before you finish first
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 11:22 (Ref:893383)   #2
MikeM
Subscriber
Veteran
 
MikeM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
United Kingdom
Wilmslow, UK
Posts: 668
MikeM should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I use an Audi A4 1.8T Quattro which is great for towing an FF. (I know someone with an old Impreza that struggled to get a tow bar fitted but don't really know why)
MikeM is offline  
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 14:05 (Ref:893539)   #3
Stephen Green
Race Official
Veteran
 
Stephen Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
England
Faversham, Kent
Posts: 13,038
Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!
The trusty Volvo 850 or whatever it's called these days makes a great tow car as does the Landrover Discovery. Problem with the discovery is it costs a fortune to run (or mine did).
Stephen Green is offline  
__________________
The Priest Catcher
Honoured recipient of the BARC Browning Medal
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 14:14 (Ref:893553)   #4
blackx
Veteran
 
blackx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
England
Posts: 1,538
blackx should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I tow a caravan which is around 20ft long and when laden weighs almost 1.5 tons...
I use a mk3 Mondeo 2 litre turbo diesel and it pulls the van with no problems at all....With kids and the missus in the car and enough luggage for a week away it still pulls it with no problems....
Worth a look I would have thought..
blackx is offline  
__________________
If your not confused......You dont know whats going on...
Diesel..........The fuel of the future
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 15:06 (Ref:893603)   #5
Tim Falce
Race Official
Veteran
 
Tim Falce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
England
Very edge of S E London almost in Kent
Posts: 11,141
Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!
Quote:
Problem with the discovery is it costs a fortune to run (or mine did).
Mine doesn't cost any more than a normal car to run, it does over 30mpg around town and about 23 towing. Iv'e had it 3 years and the only things I have done is renew the shocks, and spent £200 having the front axle rebuilt.
Not bad considering the abuse it now gets having to tow my race car and a trailer full off horse poo (not at the same time) off road.
The only thing I don't like is the insurance, which is overpriced.

Last edited by Tim Falce; 4 Mar 2004 at 15:07.
Tim Falce is offline  
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 15:38 (Ref:893627)   #6
Stephen Green
Race Official
Veteran
 
Stephen Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
England
Faversham, Kent
Posts: 13,038
Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!
I found the servicing costs horrific, but then this was 12 odd years ago
Stephen Green is offline  
__________________
The Priest Catcher
Honoured recipient of the BARC Browning Medal
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 16:30 (Ref:893671)   #7
BertMk2
Race Official
Veteran
 
BertMk2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Nr Maidstone, Kent
Posts: 10,270
BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!
Discos are notorious for eating gearboxes and engines - not cheap!!!!

The insurance is very high as they're dead easy (and popular) to steal.
BertMk2 is offline  
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 16:32 (Ref:893673)   #8
Stephen Green
Race Official
Veteran
 
Stephen Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
England
Faversham, Kent
Posts: 13,038
Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!
I can vouch for that too. Mine was stolen and never recovered.
Stephen Green is offline  
__________________
The Priest Catcher
Honoured recipient of the BARC Browning Medal
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 17:07 (Ref:893695)   #9
GoThatWay
Rookie
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Somerset
Posts: 62
GoThatWay should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Thanks for the suggestions so far, but don't forget that I'd like something that's at least a bit interesting to drive when I'm not towing. Of the current suggestions, only the Audi hints at that.

If I cannot downsize, then I'd probably go for a Saab again, but next time it would be a HOT one.

Last edited by GoThatWay; 4 Mar 2004 at 17:09.
GoThatWay is offline  
__________________
First you've gotta finish before you finish first
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 17:34 (Ref:893723)   #10
Tim Falce
Race Official
Veteran
 
Tim Falce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
England
Very edge of S E London almost in Kent
Posts: 11,141
Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!Tim Falce is going for a new world record!
Quote:
Discos are notorious for eating gearboxes and engines - not cheap!!!!
The insurance is very high as they're dead easy (and popular) to steal
Depends on the engine, I have a TDi200 with a Land Rover engine which are pretty bullet proof. The later Italian engines give trouble. Gearboxes and trannies, hmmmm, can be troublesome and noisy. But what else can you expect with a 50 year old British design, better going for an auto

Last edited by Tim Falce; 4 Mar 2004 at 17:38.
Tim Falce is offline  
Quote
Old 4 Mar 2004, 17:51 (Ref:893741)   #11
Mackmot
Veteran
 
Mackmot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
United Kingdom
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 2,188
Mackmot should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
My mate had a Citroen BX for towing and it was brilliant. Best tow vehicle £400 can buy.
Mackmot is offline  
__________________
A Saudi saying, "My father rode a camel. I drive a car. My son flies a jet-plane. His son will ride a camel."
Quote
Old 5 Mar 2004, 08:55 (Ref:894560)   #12
BertMk2
Race Official
Veteran
 
BertMk2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Nr Maidstone, Kent
Posts: 10,270
BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!BertMk2 is going for a new world record!
Subaru Forester? They're supposed to be really good for towing and it's none too shabby when you don't have the trailer nailed on.
BertMk2 is offline  
Quote
Old 5 Mar 2004, 11:47 (Ref:894803)   #13
garcon
Weasel Wrangler
Veteran
 
garcon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Antarctica
Wilmslow, Cheshire
Posts: 8,885
garcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Famegarcon will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Fame
Forester's a good idea. Impreza 5 door is another option - shouldn't be a problem fitting towbar etc. And the 5-door fits more **** in the back, and it's less "nickable" (not quite as attractive as the 4 door to either thieves or traffic police!).

The Saab's a fine car, especially in Aero form. Having had one I guess you'll know, but one concern for towing I'd have is that the 9-5 is a front driver - does the suspension cope ok?
garcon is offline  
__________________
"Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose."
Quote
Old 5 Mar 2004, 12:29 (Ref:894850)   #14
Stephen Green
Race Official
Veteran
 
Stephen Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
England
Faversham, Kent
Posts: 13,038
Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!Stephen Green has a real shot at the podium!
That was always one of the beauties of the Volvo as it had self levelling rear suspension.
Stephen Green is offline  
__________________
The Priest Catcher
Honoured recipient of the BARC Browning Medal
Quote
Old 5 Mar 2004, 14:49 (Ref:894992)   #15
listernoble
Racer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
United Kingdom
Norfolk UK
Posts: 146
listernoble should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Tow cars

I use a 4x4 Mazda 2.5 turbo diesel twin cab pick up with a lockable hardtop,which I also use for work.Pulls like a train and you are not for ever changing gear.
You can store loads of stuff in the back,does around 25mpg but sadly only 18 when towing, but I do have a large covered trailer.
I have had several Land Rover's and would never ever buy another,gearboxes,engines etc packing up after 15,000 miles or less.
A pal uses a 1994 5 cylinder petrol Audi Estate,it is a sporty model not sure what but it is very powerful,around 325 bhp. and tows like a dream.
But whatever you choose you will need some weight in the tow car if you are towing a heavy trailer,so a 4x4 is probably best.
Lister
listernoble is offline  
__________________
Rattie,on the road with Mole.Beep,beep!
Quote
Old 16 Mar 2004, 23:43 (Ref:907719)   #16
NickReeve
Rookie
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location:
Nr Andover, Hampshire UK
Posts: 27
NickReeve should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally posted by BertMk2
Subaru Forester? They're supposed to be really good for towing and it's none too shabby when you don't have the trailer nailed on.
A Subaru Forester essentially IS an Impreza isnt it? There's even a Turbo model which would be fun! Personally I like the idea of something that looks like a boring old SUV and isnt.......
NickReeve is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Mar 2004, 07:32 (Ref:907935)   #17
Mal
Veteran
 
Mal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
England
London
Posts: 4,346
Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!Mal is going for a new world record!
Anything four wheel drive and of reasonable size - Audi A6 Quattro, Suburu Forester plus the obvious big off roaders, etc
Mal is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Mar 2004, 08:08 (Ref:907952)   #18
Richy_Rich
Racer
 
Richy_Rich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
France
France
Posts: 470
Richy_Rich should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Hm, I use a 110 LandRover (2.5 Diesel Turbo). It can be 'interesting to drive', especially if you take it off-roading
Richy_Rich is offline  
__________________
The wonderful dexterity of Hannu Mikkola, makes me want to shake hands with the whole of Finland.
(Architecture And Morality, Ted And Alice - Half Man Half Biscuit)
Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Helmet - recommendations RobC Racers Forum 34 9 Jan 2006 21:31
Lap Timer Recommendations pmoloney Racing Technology 4 3 Sep 2004 18:48
Digital SLR - your recommendations Muzza Motorsport Art & Photography 148 16 Dec 2003 19:47
Race Sim Recommendations? jhansen Virtual Racers 35 8 Nov 2003 14:53


All times are GMT. The time now is 15:33.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Original Website Copyright © 1998-2003 Craig Antil. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2004-2021 Royalridge Computing. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2021-2022 Grant MacDonald. All Rights Reserved.