I want to part ex my (my mums) astra estate for a 4X4 that will be mailnly used as a tow car but will probably also be used for transporting car parts (bodywork etc).

I have been looking at Disco's, Range Rovers and Jeep Grand Cherokee's.

The main problem with the Range Rover and the Jeep is that the spare wheel is kept inside the rear so that will reduce the size i can carry but the Disco deisels have marginally better fuel consumption.

Im reluctant to look toward a van because a) i may need the passenger space and b) it will be used on long journeys so i want something as comfortable as possible.

Unfortunately, most of the cars i have looked at have been automatic. Would this be able to cope with pulling as well as a manual?

Are there any cars i have missed? I think the astra is probably worth about a grand so anything over that i will have to fork out myself and i am virtually skint atm. The car will also need to be able to tow 3500KG and mustn't be over 3500KG itself as i passed my test in 2004.

3.5 is the most you are able to tow.
That includes the weight of the car + trailer + maximum load in the trailer.

If you get a 2 tonne jeep you'll only have 1.5 left for trailer and payload.
It doesn't matter what you actually put in the trailer its what the trailer can carry fully laden.

quote:

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Originally posted by emsfactory
3.5 is the most you are able to tow.
That includes the weight of the car + trailer + maximum load in the trailer.

If you get a 2 tonne jeep you'll only have 1.5 left for trailer and payload.
It doesn't matter what you actually put in the trailer its what the trailer can carry fully laden.

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Merc Vito Traveliner, would be my choice if I had the money

How about a crew cab pick-up?, i personally wouldn't buy a jeep as they have trouble with the rear diffs.
Don't discount a van as they a a lot better that they used to be.

VW toureq.

ok im being stupid .

C303 .

even with a volvo estate , i would be limited to carrying a small car on the back of it . Above 3.5t involvoes having a tacho . even tho a landy can apparently carry upto 4 ton .

Vito Sport Dualiner for me too , 204 hp tiptronic 5 speed , wish work would buy one , were stuck with 109, 111 cdi !!!!

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Originally posted by philw
How about a crew cab pick-up?

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Just for a bit info, the short wheelbase Jeep can tow 2 tonnes whereas the long one can tow 3.5.

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Originally posted by coozer
Just for a bit info, the short wheelbase Jeep can tow 2 tonnes whereas the long one can tow 3.5.

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i must say i love my transit,i was going to get a 4x4 (disco)then had a long think .
mpg
price
parts and serving
tax
can use it for camping
easy to sell
ect
loads of good deals on them .
ect,

not an informed opinion but what about a TOYOTA HILUX SURF ?

disco's drive nice but at around a grand any one u buy won't be very nice and they are not the most reliable vehicles, any 4x4 with a petrol engine is financial suicide these days they are thirsty enough even with a diesel

if it was me i would get a swb transit should find a nice one for a grand too if you look long enough

[Edited on 20/2/10 by dlatch]

Isuzu Trooper BIGHORN 3.1TD cheap as chips, 25MPG whether you are towing or not!! 7 seats, Leather (heated+electric too), A/C, electric everything, massive carrying capacity - carried my twin cam 4AGE engine in the back without noticing, go anywhere - been fantastic in the snow,


bighorn side

but I may be Biased

.........Neil

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Originally posted by speedyxjs
The main problem with the Range Rover and the Jeep is that the spare wheel is kept inside the rear

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Quick question, are you towing for business or pleasure ?

As mentioned above if the GTW is 3.5T or above you will have to run a tacho if its for business use.


edited to add : the cherokee max towing weight on a 2.8 CRD is 2688KG if you take into consideration the 85% rule this then decreases to 1827KG.

However i tow @ aroung 2200 Kg with twin bulldog stabilisers.

The towing weight increases to 3500Kg on the grand cherokee.

Don't bother with the new version it doesn't even make 1800Kg.

Roger

[Edited on 20/2/10 by rgrs]

V8 automatic RR is far superior tow car than a manual one IMHO, stronger box as well.

Expect poor fuel returns on either.

200TDI/300TDI discoveries are cheap now, look for rot around the rear = scrap.

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Originally posted by rgrs
Quick question, are you towing for business or pleasure ?

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I would buy a good classic Range Rover v8 petrol and gas conversion (underfloor tanks,my mate has one for towing cars back from auction and he won't part with it,with gas he is getting the equivelant of 35 mpg and you will not better that with any deisel 4x4.

I was looking for a 4x4 ford galaxy, they have loads of space inside with the seats lifted out, and should be able to tow well, upto 2000 they were all auto, but after that the vw sharan badged version was available in a 4motion 4x4 6 speed manual, hard to find but big inside, also, i used to have a delica, this is basicly a shogun but with a people carrier body, they can tow 3.3 tonne, and are a full 7 seater with lift out seats, 8x4 sheets will lay flat inside!!!!

the sharan/galaxy are 2.8 v6 petrol, although the later sharan was available in 1.9 vw diesel 6 speed manual.

Thanks for all the reply's.

I have had a look at vans and pickups but still not too keen on that idea for long distance driving.

I like the LPG idea

Have you considered something like Ford Scorpio estate? You can get a good one for £500 and it will be alot more comfortable than an off roader and you'll get alot of stuff in one. I'm pretty sure they made one with a 2.9 V6 aswell for some fun. Colman Milne also made a hearse variant which would be about for £1K if you have a look, I don't know about towing but a hearse would give you 4 seats and loads of storage space, and you could gut it and fit a normal rear bench and get 5 people in and even more stuff. There are loads of Hearses available for cheap monies so might be worth looking at.

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Originally posted by bj928
I was looking for a 4x4 ford galaxy, they have loads of space inside with the seats lifted out, and should be able to tow well, upto 2000 they were all auto,

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Auto's are great for towing.
If you are concerned at a spare wheel taking space in the boot then don't even think of lpg. Very rare to
find underslung tanks they're usually in the boot.
If you are prepared to weld a new boot floor in you can pick up a 300Tdi Disco Auto for a grand or less.
I've got two and paid £400 for each.

If your just starting a new business with no customer base then I would seriously consider if you need a tow truck at this time? There are a lot of other things that will be more useful and cost effective . Very few of the large garages that I have worked for in over 40 years have had a truck for long distance recoveries , most using specialist breakdown companies . Also worth remembering that while you are on a collection your not repairing therefore earning even taking mileage into consideration. IMHO of course but I do speak from experience