Best small towing car... - Page 3

Rich L · 07 March 2006, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave B

Once on the slipway it managed to destroy two sets of front tyres and in the end the gearbox (it was a company car) So along came the Pajero

(another company car) and I have never looked back don’t know the rib is on the back of the Paj and it will get 28-29 miles to the gallon, towing the Audi was only giving that.

To be totally legal you need to keep an eye on weights of the car and trailer (Loaded) but then what does totally legal mean.

Yes, a Polo's (for example) towing constraint is 600kg's for an unbraked trailer (which mine is). But I don't think 2 miles & no hills is too much of safety risk. And if the bottom of the slip is wet, I'd probably use a rope.

28-29 miles to the gallon? I reckon my Shogun 2.8 (which is what I'll trade for a small car!) get's 21 max

Anyone want to buy a low mileage Shogun?

mdt · 07 March 2006, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave B

Had to tow my rib the length of the country with my Audi 80 Turbo Diesel, Never again, The boat waged the tail of the car for the full length of the M5 and most of the M6

and also proved to be totally gutless for the hills on the M5. but at least the brakes worked then.

Once on the slipway it managed to destroy two sets of front tyres and in the end the gearbox (it was a company car) So along came the Pajero

(another company car) and I have never looked back don’t know the rib is on the back of the Paj and it will get 28-29 miles to the gallon, towing the Audi was only giving that.

To be totally legal you need to keep an eye on weights of the car and trailer (Loaded) but then what does totally legal mean.

Hence why one should have got the Quattro one... i am on my 5th Audi, every thing from 1.9Tdi to the RS2 all Quattro drive and Although I did not tow with the RS2 quite certain it would have managed it.

mdt · 07 March 2006, 20:21

rich have a read of this... it might help

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ighlight=punto

Rich L · 08 March 2006, 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdt

rich have a read of this... it might help

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ighlight=punto

Thanks!

roycruse · 08 March 2006, 15:17

I tow my RIB with a 2lt Turbo Diesel Hyundai Elantra. and it does the job fine.
http://www.hyundai-car.co.uk/choose/elantra/technical/

I too have to use my car for my day job (which involves up to 40,000 miles per year motorway driving) 45 + miles to the gallon (not towing the RIB)

Hyundai have 5 year unlimited mileage warranty and it can legally tow 1400kgs on a braked trailer. And you can get a 53 plate for £5k

Does look a bit like a grandads car though.

Scary Des · 08 March 2006, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

........up to 40,000 miles per year .......Hyundai have 5 year unlimited mileage warranty .......

I would love to see their face when you going in for a new engine at 199k miles (5X40k)

Des

The Garfish · 08 March 2006, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by donutsina911

I'd get a VW Golf 1.9 TDI,

downutts iz rite (agen). i amm a fann ov orl fings jirman.

i av jus awderd sum sossijis fromm jirmany

yew cud saiy i amm ekspectin de wurst

gArf

slimtim · 08 March 2006, 18:48

I can't be arsed to read all thsi thread, so it may have been suggested before.

I have just bought a '96 1.9 TDI GL golf for about £1700 and plan to use it to tow my 5.3m rib. The engine is great, has a lot of torque and is nice and punchy so should have no problem in pulling my boat. To buy a Whitter tow bar is about £170 which includes bar, ball, and electrics. Oh and I can do 51 miles to the gallon driving like a rally driver around iow roads (twisty, bumpy, stop and start all the time).

Before this recent purchase I drove my parents rover 45. Nice engine (1.4 16 valve 100hp (apparently)) but it didn't actually manage to move the car very well. It wasn't amazingly reliable (compared to my brothers focus which has not had a SINGLE problem with it in about 2 years) and didn't feel very "solid" on the iow roads...but then again, only a tractor feels solid on our roads.

codprawn · 08 March 2006, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Garfish

downutts iz rite (agen). i amm a fann ov orl fings jirman.

i av jus awderd sum sossijis fromm jirmany

yew cud saiy i amm ekspectin de wurst

gArf

Talking of things German - and your mention of zyklon b.....

Has anyone noticed that VW/Audi diesel exhausts have a strange antiseptic type smell??? Makes me feel quite ill - totally different smell to other diesels around.

And I AM being serious for once!!!

Hugh Jardon · 08 March 2006, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Talking of things German - and your mention of zyklon b.....

Has anyone noticed that VW/Audi diesel exhausts have a strange antiseptic type smell??? Makes me feel quite ill - totally different smell to other diesels around.

And I AM being serious for once!!!

i hate the smell of volvos, especially those medium sized ones, they stink, had one as a temp car when i rolled my gsi end over end some some 12 years ago, i think somone above was telling me something.......

Rich L · 08 March 2006, 20:18

I think I'm going to buy a polo

Maybe a 1.9 Tdi and a long rope.

I think provided I keep off the slimey part of the slip I'll be OK. I'll let you know how I get on!!

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

Anybody want a Shogun?? (looking forward to 'nipping' to Wales rather than 'lumbering' there as per usual)

Hugh Jardon · 08 March 2006, 20:21

if you have a problem you can always ask a chap with a 4x4 if one around, they will probably only be too chuffed to help you out if you get stuck, will give em something to tell their friends about after.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

I think I'm going to buy a polo

Maybe a 1.9 Tdi and a long rope.

I think provided I keep off the slimey part of the slip I'll be OK. I'll let you know how I get on!!

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

codprawn · 08 March 2006, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

I think I'm going to buy a polo

Maybe a 1.9 Tdi and a long rope.

I think provided I keep off the slimey part of the slip I'll be OK. I'll let you know how I get on!!

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

Anybody want a Shogun?? (looking forward to 'nipping' to Wales rather than 'lumbering' there as per usual)

You could get a Tirfor - very slow but serious power - always carry one - never know when you might need it!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tirfor-Type-80...QQcmdZViewItem

This one will lift 800kgs but will pull a hell of a lot more.

You could park the car on solid ground and winch the trailer a few feet towards it.