Towing over 2.8 tonnes

[Philip Fisher]

So. Non Volvo question but you lot know a lot of stuff.....

One of my team has horses and currently tows up to 2.2 tonnes with her diesel Sportage. She has a new horse and so needs to tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. She also feels that the Sportage struggles a bit too.

So she needs to tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. Has 20k to spend and will do maybe 15k miles a year with local and some longer journeys too.

She has mentioned an L200 but I think it will be a bit agricultural. She also mentioned a Toureg, but at 20k surely it risks being a money pit?

So suggestions please on above criteria. More reliable and more car like the better.

Thanks in advance.

[Director76]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

So. Non Volvo question but you lot know a lot of stuff.....

One of my team has horses and currently tows up to 2.2 tonnes with her diesel Sportage. She has a new horse and so needs to tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. She also feels that the Sportage struggles a bit too.

So she needs to tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. Has 20k to spend and will do maybe 15k miles a year with local and some longer journeys too.

She has mentioned an L200 but I think it will be a bit agricultural. She also mentioned a Toureg, but at 20k surely it risks being a money pit?

So suggestions please on above criteria. More reliable and more car like the better.

Thanks in advance.

Never towed to that weight, but the 245 V6 Touareg was a great tow car, effortlessly pulled utility trailers, including on one occasion around 2 tonnes of stone chippings in a braked Ivor Williams.

My then 3 year old one went in Jan 18 with about 35k on the clock for about £19k it was very far from a dog and an absolute steal for someone, so I’d definitely suggest £20k would get a good one. I ran two, and in my experience they were supremely reliable and very well built (better built than xc90 I’d say)

Bit dated now techwise and the third generation model came in 2019, so all are 3+ years now.

One must for heavy towing - factory towbar as that was the only way to get the updated engine fan needed for the maximum 3.5 tonne rating

[nu11eaf]

Or a V6 Discovery 4 with factory towbar.

[Director76]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Or a V6 Discovery 4 with factory towbar.

Isn’t that ruled out by the “more reliable the better” criteria

[Philip Fisher]

Thanks for thoughts. Looks like the Toureg is a definite possibility then. I was thinking possibly Japanese for reliability. Do they still do big, heavy Japanese 4x4s these days, or has it all gone pickup and crew cab stuff? You used to see Shoguns and Troopers all the time, but now it seems to be all pickups like the L200....

[Davebbass]

Originally Posted by Director76

Isn’t that ruled out by the “more reliable the better” criteria

My FIL had a V6 Disco and named it Penny, because it cost him a bomb in repair bills. There was always something wrong with it. Has a D5 XC90 now which is loves and he reckons tows his twin axle caravan better as well.

[Automatic Only]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Thanks for thoughts. Looks like the Toureg is a definite possibility then. I was thinking possibly Japanese for reliability. Do they still do big, heavy Japanese 4x4s these days, or has it all gone pickup and crew cab stuff? You used to see Shoguns and Troopers all the time, but now it seems to be all pickups like the L200....

Shoguns are still available brand new as far as I know - we had a '15 plate one a couple of years ago and they're about as bullet proof as it gets for reliability. Not fast but the towing capability, off road ability are amongst the best out there. And reliability - should be pretty dependable too, we never had any problems. The engine is a bit of a strange one - a 3.2 litre 4 cylinder, it isn't the most refined and pretty thirsty but being somewhat old school shouldn't be much to go wrong.

[anotherv60]

What about a Toyota Land Cruiser?

Not very car like but should tow well up to 3,000Kg. Many used examples under £20K.

[Backinavolvo]

Towing 2.8 is sketchy id say.. definitely the tail wagging the dog..

Check tow ball down weight too.. as some vehicles need uprated rear springs to cope depending on the trailer.

IMO a 7.5 tonne horse lorry would be much safer.. and keep the current sportage

[Adrian888]

Shoguns are no longer on sale in the UK. The Shogun Sport is a different vehicle. If you want car like driving experience then go for a Touareg, if you want the best tiwing ability go for a Disco 4, and if you want a crude workhorse go for Landcruiser/Patrol/Shogun but watch for corrosion.