Replacement tow vehicle.

DougCulross
DougCulross Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited February 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Considering replacing my tow car with a Ford Kuga AWD 180 bhp automatic diesel. Any advice from current users of this vehicle?

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Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #2

    all depends on what your towing weight wise.

  • DougCulross
    DougCulross Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited February 2019 #3

    Current caravan is 1500 kg which is close to the limit as recommended by Caravan and Motorhome Club. As we often do long distance caravan trips (eg. Costs Brava) not sure if this will be the best replacement towcar.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #4

    Kia Sorento auto would  IMHO be a better choicewink

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #5

    agree, or the Santa Fe.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited February 2019 #6

    I drive the 2015 manual version of your Kuga and it will pull our Series 7 Bailey weighing in at 1435kg max all day at 60mph. So far never had a problem with it. Furthest it has been is Venice one year and Carcassonne another so has had long drags in hot temperatures. One possible down side is the relatively small boot but there's only the two of us and virtually everything goes in the van. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited February 2019 #7

    I would have thought 180 bhp is enough for towing the weights mentioned but torque is also relevant. You need a good torque figure for decent performance and not sure what the Kuga will have.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited February 2019 #8

    Haven't got the hand book errrr handy but just looked at the Parker Guide on line and its quoting 400 Nm, 295 ft-lb. 

    To be honest I have no idea if that's good or bad but its more than adequate for me. 

     

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited February 2019 #9

    400Nm is fine in my book if its achieved at low revs

  • LeTouriste
    LeTouriste Forum Participant Posts: 348
    edited March 2019 #10

    Our caravan has an MPTLM of 1436 kg, and I have pulled it without power problems for several years with a VW Touran TDI 105 PS.

    Last year changed to a VW Caravelle with 150 bhp and the pulling power was even more impressive, so your 180 bhp should be a doddle, Doug.

  • DougCulross
    DougCulross Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited March 2019 #11

    Thanks folks for your replies, I'll probably be going for the kuga. Incidentally I will be replacing a Discovery Sport. I've had nine land rovers over the years but this one is the worst I have ever had. It's been back in the garage more often than all the rest put together since buying it new in October 2015. Judging from other forums I am not alone in having a bad experience with Land Rovers over the last few years.

    Doug 

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