Best towing vehicle ?

Quickflash · 02 October 2007, 11:09

Hi,

Any good suggestions which (luxury-family) car makes the best towing vehicle ? I need to be able to tow 3.5 tonnes long distances and this reduces the options considerably. Today I am considering the Mercedes M CDI 420, the Audi TDI4.0 Q7 or the RangeRover TDV8. They all cost more or less the same which makes the choice more difficult. Any experience with either cars, good or bad ?

Stuart M · 02 October 2007, 11:29

Mercedes M Class (old model) - No problem - Sat Nav was rubbish and expensive to replace when faulty. In car phone kits (original) were a joke only worked with Nokia 6210 and where expensive. Car was nice though and fast (ML430 / ML500)

Toyota Landcruiser (current car) - Not as plush inside (although nice), all the toys work, tows my 8 mtr rib no problem. Will last till the end of the world. Toyota reliability is second to none. First Diesel I've owned and I like it, whilst not an M Class it's quick and superb off road.

Range Rover - Had old models and they were cr*p, IMHO from owning 2 and having family that have 3 wouldn't go near in a million years. Local garage owner likes the new ones but would never buy one 'cause he couldn't afford to keep it on the road if he was a millionaire !(His words)

Hope that helps

Alan · 02 October 2007, 11:30

Wait a moment and our resident motoring guru (hell what am I saying, resident Guru of all things) Mr Cod Prawn will be along. He'll have a mate who has each of those cars or will have personally towed 3.5 tonnes, 100,000 miles a year across the Brecon Beacons and will be able to give you the benefit of his expertise. And then he'll tell you to buy the Range Rover.

Nick Hearne · 02 October 2007, 12:05

Had a Discovery 3 for 2.5 years with out any real problems, love it to bits!

Just could not be seen in a bit of Jap cr*p

They do make such soul less cars!

Carl · 02 October 2007, 12:45

Seaharrier · 02 October 2007, 13:19

We have a BMW X5 which can tow 3500kg. Every year we tow our rib (2900kg) all the way up to Spain (1400km) without any problems. Cruising speed is between 120 km/h and 130 km/h. Fuell consumption at 110km is 13l/100km and at 130 it is 15l/100km (which is a lot less than what the audi Q7 drinks if I compare to friends).

hope this helps.

paul

codprawn · 02 October 2007, 17:05

As Alan quite rightly pointed out I have had mates who have had all 3 - but not exactly those models.

A lot depends on what you want - one bloke I know has just changed from a RR HSE petrol(new type) to the Audi - he prefers the Audi as a normal car but go anywhere offroad - in the snow or towing and he prefers the Rangie. I drove the Rangie and it was stunning - I would love one - haven't driven the Audi yet but the M class Merc wasn't as nice to drive.

genoa · 02 October 2007, 17:33

Didn't like the M class (had one for a week in Germany)
Thought about the Audi, but the 7 seats is not very good and i regularly need them so the Disco 3 won.
It is so versitile and does a great job on the motorways either as my rep car during the week or my fun car with the rig on. Can't go wrong if you dont know what you'll need tomorrow. Fits every occassion.

Petrov · 02 October 2007, 18:30

Driving a Chevrolet Tahoe, great towing car, you dont even notice 3,5 tons behind.
Negative is the fueleconomy but there is a dieselversion also.

Nasher · 02 October 2007, 21:15

At the cheap end - 80 series Landcruiser Amazon 4.2TD

In the middle - 3 year old Landcruiser Amazon 4.2TD
or discovery 3 TDV6

Or if you have the money, lucky sod, no contest for towing - Range Rover TDV8

Nasher.

Lets go boating · 02 October 2007, 21:35

nissan patrol no doubt

defender for the fun of it.

Nauti Buoy · 02 October 2007, 21:42

Have had a Range Rover4.0 V8 and Toyota Landcruiser Amazon 4.7 V8 and would choose the Landcruiser every time. However looking at your list, Audi Q7, Range Rover & Merc M Class I would choose the Audi Q7 as that just oozes style plus no doubt far more reliable if it is anything to go by the Audi Cars we have owned in the past.

codprawn · 02 October 2007, 21:44

The new RR is a totally different beast remember!!!

Bigmuz7 · 02 October 2007, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Range Rover & Merc M Class I would choose the Audi Q7 as that just oozes style plus no doubt far more reliable if it is anything to go by the Audi Cars we have owned in the past.

I dont doubt that, and I'm tempted myself, Audi build is superb, but I had the odd fault too.. RR build is not even close !! so read this and weep codders, but i'll give you this too, off road RR is king

Nasher · 02 October 2007, 21:52

Does the Q7 have low ratio?

If not, I'll stick my neck out and say its not a 'Proper 4x4'

Been stuck on the beach too often and had to use the Low ratio and diff locks on my 3.2TD Shogun to get out of trouble.

Nasher.

codprawn · 02 October 2007, 22:24

No it doesn't have a low ratio box - also it's towing limit is 3200kg not 3500kg. Apparently it is based on the same platform as Cayenne/Toerag.

In other words it is a very nice CAR......

Nos4r2 · 02 October 2007, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Does the Q7 have low ratio?

If not, I'll stick my neck out and say its not a 'Proper 4x4'

Been stuck on the beach too often and had to use the Low ratio and diff locks on my 3.2TD Shogun to get out of trouble.

Nasher.

I'll 2nd that-there's a couple of times on slippery slipways that I've had to use low range 4x4 in 1st gear to hold it still while recovering as the handbrake on 2 wheels wasn't enough to hold it still.

Bigmuz7 · 02 October 2007, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaharrier

We have a BMW X5 which can tow 3500kg
paul

Dont think so.... unless the new range does ..? 2.7 was the limit up till the 4.6 was introduced I think, and the 4.8 was on the same chassis..

codprawn · 02 October 2007, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I'll 2nd that-there's a couple of times on slippery slipways that I've had to use low range 4x4 in 1st gear to hold it still while recovering as the handbrake on 2 wheels wasn't enough to hold it still.

All the older LRs had the handbrake operating on all 4 wheels - I should imagine it's still the case.

Biggles · 03 October 2007, 00:51

Best towing vehicle and Best launching vehicle are not necessarily the same car.

My car doesn't tow fast on the motorway. Its happy at 60 ish but it laughs at slipways due to its low ratio 4 x 4.

If your just going to tow your boat to some nice shallow slip with no weed or crap then go for a softroader or Audi 4 x 4. If you want to be happy on an average UK slip then get something with low ratio and a proper chassis.

And don't forget tons of rope. Whatever vehicle you have, take loads of heavy duty rope and no matter what trouble you get into the rope will get you out.