Hi all ,

I want to tow my saff cosworth on a trailer to trackdays .

I going to buy a new daily runner but want it to tow .

What a good tow vehicle ??

 

I had this very same problem last year I bort a volvo XC90 55 pate and to say I'm over the moon with it would be a under statement

 

Normally you would be looking at a 4x4 of some type. But what you need is something with a high enough tow capacity. So you need an idea of the weight your going to tow.

 

Mercedes Vito .

 

I am looking at exactly the same thing.
I currently have a SWB FWD Transit but that only has a maximum train weight of 3500kg so doesn't have enough capacity to tow a 1200kg car + 500kg trailer + 180kg driver/passenger + 100kg tools wheels etc. = 1980kg.

I have been looking at a ford ranger as that has a maximum train weight of around 4500kg and weights around 2000kg so should be enough.
I have also thought about changing my van to a SWB RWD transit as that also has around 4500kg.

my van is currently my everyday vehicle and is converted to a campervan, but this will be going to finance any new tow vehicle.
just cant decide what is the best option is.

 

Also depends on your license. If youre an old git you are fine. Anyone post 97 needs to make sure their choice of tow car and trailer is legal.

 

I don't quite see how anyone who has a restricted towing licence can tow a race/track car with tools, fuel, spares etc without going over 3500kg.

in my example I got to around 2000kg without taking into consideration of the towing vehicle weight.

I for one will be doing my trailer test to make sure I am not caught out on this.

anyone here used a ford ranger as an everyday vehicle and for towing?

 

I use my Vw T4 Transporter to tow the trackcar and also the caravan with ease

 

quite a few mid range saloon cars have the towing capacity to tow a light trailer with a light track car on and still be in the rules.

The MAM of the trailer and car cant add up to more than 3500kg.

Quite a few vehicles meet that spec and could tow a circa 4-500kg trailer with a 1 ton car on it still leaving 2 ton gvw for the tow car.

 

Yes I've got a 2006 2.5 tdci which has been my daily and tow veichele now for the last 5 yrs.I load it up with the car trailer 4spare wheels tools fuel etc etc
Must have st least 3600-3800 kg fully loaded and will do 70-80 mph no problem more if needed😂😂Same clutch to but I will be changing it soon as I don't wanna get stuck hundreds of miles away. I got a remap now by Msd just for the extra torque which helps both towing and fuel economy
Hope this helps

 

A 5 series 530d will also do the job easy as they weigh around 1800 kg. with 230 bhp and 500 nm torque only thing is they don't have the space of a pickup
My mate uses one to tow his focus rs and it's a beast !!

 

Some people need to be carefull going over 3500kg train weight, if it can be proved you are using it for work you would be in some cases required to use a tacho
Won't affect people who are just using it for private use, but I was involved in a few prosecutions involving traders towing cars over 3500kg train weight

 

Your right if towing takes you over 3.5 tons and your hire and reward you do need a tacho. But if your not hire and reward you don't

 

I believe if you got your licence after 97 then it only allows you to drive a vehicle with a combined weight of upto 3500kg and tow a trailer that weighs no more than 750kg

 

im not sure mate I just know what I said about tachos is true as I've just done my refresher course at work to calibrate them

 

not true.

unbraked trailer 750kg

braked trailer the MAM of the trailer and the GVW of the car must add up to under 3500kg.

You could be driving both empty and only actually weigh 2 ton but it would still be illegal if the MAMs were over 3500kg.

The rule is a bit daft as you could be driving a big 4x4 and a towing a light trailer and your MAM's could be well over 3500kg yet your actual weight could be below. Yet it would be illegal yet clearly its a safer towing rig than a small saloon car towing the same trailer but with combined MAM's just under 3500kg.

For a while the government website was wrong saying it was total weight when in reality the legislation hasnt changed and its always been combined MAM/GVW.

Bet there are a shit load driving around illegally who dont realise it.