Tow Cars

   I have had the same conundrum. My 1.5 TDCI Focus really struggled with a double stacker on the back.
My solution (and bear in mind we run 2 cars anyway). An older diesel (with a dpf) for use on the longer/towing journeys. A mild hybrid for the day to day miles. Full electric just isn't there yet plus the ethical question over material sourcing.

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jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Tow Cars Posted: 21 Jun 21 at 7:33pm
	I have had the same conundrum. My 1.5 TDCI Focus really struggled with a double stacker on the back. My solution (and bear in mind we run 2 cars anyway). An older diesel (with a dpf) for use on the longer/towing journeys. A mild hybrid for the day to day miles. Full electric just isn't there yet plus the ethical question over material sourcing.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jun 21 at 7:43pm
	I was lucky enough to drop for a very low mileage 2 litre diesel insignia estate, (before prices went bonkers) very boring car, but a good economical utility vehicle.
	Robert

drifter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Jun 08 Location: Oxfordshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote drifter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 21 at 7:50pm
	OK-sorry. bumping this as I am now actively looking for a new car. Small family estate, petrol hybrid, with a towbar. That rules out all VAG products I believe. Corolla can tow, but is really uneconomical. Warning to Seat buyers-even the petrol models need a non-standard pre-fit towbar pack at factory. My lovely 15-plate Golf might have to soldier on. Any thoughts anyone?
	Stewart

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 21 at 7:59pm
	330e

drifter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Jun 08 Location: Oxfordshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote drifter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 21 at 8:48pm
	Made contact. Pricey!
	Stewart

H2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote H2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 21 at 8:14am
	I had the same question a few months back but decided that the petrol hybrids were a waste of time. The extra batteries and kit is really heavy and in reality you get a few miles of electric running not the 30 claimed so the eco-credentials look very weak, its just a tax wheeze for company car owners. The fact that most you cannot fit a tow bar too was the deciding factor so I got a used A4 estate and will wait a few more years to go fully elec.
	H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 21 at 12:02pm
	I agree H2. I run an 11 year old diesel Golf. Very happy with it. Always runs without problems (OK I really shouldn't have said that, tempting fate!). Someone smashed the back for us last year and the insurance co wrote it off, but a local garage bought a 2nd hand tailgate and bumper and it's as good as a 11 year old car again for less than the write off value. At the time I looked at electric and hybrid, with a towbar a requirement. But decided that the extra complexity, cost and weight of a hybrid is not worth it, for me or the environment. I'm hoping to get another 5 years or so out of my trusty Golf and hope that by then towing and recharging issue will be better handled.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 21 at 4:21pm
	We're running an older Toyota Yaris Hybrid. I understand that the new models have a towing capability - so care may be needed. The Hybrid system really works best (for us) in town where there's lots of stop/start traffic. We'll get about 55mpg+ around town, and about the same on long journeys. Think of it as a sophisticated start/stop engine system. There's no delay in moving off (unlike petrol start/stop systems) and it's auto transmission. Colin

eric_c Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Jan 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote eric_c Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 21 at 1:44pm
	I don't think hybrids or BEVs are really ready to provide for towing just yet. OTOH with the rate of change in the market, I wouldn't be spending on a brand new fossil fuel car, as its value in a few years' time might be hit hard. Likewise, BEVs are improving fast and getting cheaper, so current models could lose a lot of value. We might replace 'her' car with a BEV in a couple of years, maybe in 5 years there will be a nice BEV alternative to my current diesel estate. BEV makers are probably quite right to concentrate on the average car users, who do less than 8k miles a year and avoid getting involved with towing, because too many people who tow. tow caravans which is horrendous in terms of kwh per mile. There may be a period when there is a shortage of decent used cars which can tow, but it's unlikely to be a real problem in the next 12 years or so?

H2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote H2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 21 at 2:29pm
	Last weekend we had an open at our club and it was the first time that I saw a Tesla tow a boat and an IPace, so people are doing it!
	H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082