What Car is the Best to Tow With
HI, We are going to change our car this year and were wondering whether the Kia Sportage 1.6 TGDI AWD Petrol 174BHP, KB is 1604KG and the MBTW IS 1900KG, We have a abbey aventura 5 berth the MPLW is 1342 would the above vehicle tow this caravan or would the Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 tsi 148bhp with a MTW OF 1800KG BE BETTER.
Kind Regards
Welsh Phill
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As for tow cars, I'd personally not consider a petrol of any breed unless it was was about 3 litre with 6 or 8 pots.
Post Edited
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Up to a couple of years ago I'd have agreed with you regards diesel only, but for a van of the above weight modern petrol engines are very good.
The torque they produce is far closer to diesel levels than they used to be and the delivery is across a far higher rev range making for less gear changing to keep within what has become a narrow power band for some modern diesel engines.
The 1.5tsi referred to I run in my Audi A3 pulling a [admittedly low roof height] 1200kg van and I'm impressed. I know of one Kodiaq owner with the same engine who did what I believe was a near 10,000 mile continental trip in 2019 pulling a 1200/1300kg van.
Colin
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Hmm, I'm not convinced. It's at what revs the torque is produced that counts.
I have a modern 1.6 petrol car and I'd be reluctant to tow a garden trailer with it let alone a slab sided wind blocker caravan😆. Still, each to their own.
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My now sold 2014 2.0L diesel Skoda Yeti:-
110bhp at 4,200rpm
250N/m torque at 1,500 - 2,500rpm
My current 1.5 petrol Audi A3:-
150bhp at 5,000 - 6,000rpm
250N/m torque at 1,500 - 3,500rpm
Colin
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I agree with tinwheeler. Having both a modern turbo petrol rev box and a grunty diesel (plug-in hybrid as it happens) in the household, the petrol needs far more rowing with the gearstick to maintain good progress. For towing Diesel still walks the torque, petrol will only ever talk the torque. The only caveat in favour of petrol is the old American maxim ‘there ain’t no substitute for cubes’ (or CC in our language).
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Nail on head, FC👍
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I don't understand your post, ADP. I was saying FC is correct.
My current car is simply a local run around and is very good at doing that.
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Tinwheeler you said you would be reluctant to pull a garden trailer with your car which is a 1.6 petrol run around. In 1996 I pulled a twin wheeled Lunar delta home 35 miles, because it was the only way I could get my caravan home with a 1.4 l Ford Escort . I imagine a present day 1.6 petrol engine would be far superior to a 1996 one and yet yours seems that is not the case, So I wondered what make of car was so under powered not to be able to give you confidence in towing a garden trailer.
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I think you mistook my figure of speech comment for actuality - note the smiley.
However, it is in no way a tow car and I would not expect it to successfully tow a sizeable trailer. Had I wanted a tow car, I would have bought a Discovery Sport. I don't take risks with underpowered cars.👍🏻
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Then like my mate who bought a Discovery Sport you would probably had constant repair bills. I don't take risks either, I always consider the vehicles capabilities and mine and arrive at the correct decision, An adequate powered car in incapable hands can be more dangerous than an under powered car in the right hands as far as I am concerned.
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Whatever. The point I was making was designed to help the OP avoid buying a petrol engined car without adequate towing ability.
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I was probably crawling along in our 4 litre Jeep Cherokee behind you wondering what the heck had possessed the fool up in front to try such a combination😂
A ride on lawn mower will tow, but it isn’t usually a good idea!🤣
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As I said it was the only way I could get my Caravan home . But then again, I would have thought had I known you were behind me, what fool in a 4 litre Jeep would stay behind me. As I progressed to say, some more suitable vehicles are still not a benefit with a crap driver. I might add I do tow my garden trailer behind my ride on lawn mower and it is an excellent idea as far as I am concerned as it saves me a lot of work.
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😂😂😂
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I love a difference of opinions.
Colin
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Only a bit of fun, which thankfully you noticed. But I did once share an office with someone who loved my tales of caravan life. So much so, he went out and bought a six berth twin axle. His first trip out was to see family in Lake District, and then up to Edinburgh for Festival. He sold it on his return, as he got so much hassle going up M6. As you would averaging 30mph. He was towing with a 1.4 Ford something or other...... 🤷♀️
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I must be missing out. My Discovery Sport has not cost me a penny in repair bills. The one before that the same. And as for the Freelander before that apart from fuel servicing etc the only money I spent on that car in 5 yeas for a set of tyres.
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Name the brand and save others from your experience.
