What car do I need for towing?
- Tuesday, 30 December 2008
MIKE SAYS
I’ve spared readers from the detailed calculations that I did for this reader because this is a general issue which affects many readers. With many twin-axle caravans the only cars that are going to be heavy enough are big BMWs and Mercedes, or a large 4x4. Of course, the politicians are determined to wean us off our ‘gas guzzling 4x4s’.
When this reader called me, we worked out that a second-hand 4x4 could be a reasonably economical solution to his problems because he would only be using the car to tow the caravan, and travelling to work on his bike. With fuel prices rocketing and the threat of massive road tax price increases you can buy a 4X4 at panic sale prices. So my recommendation was something like an Isuzu Trooper, but one with the later three-litre common rail turbo diesel engine. If looked after, they will rack up massive mileages. Just look at the number the police used as incident vehicles.
Then, since it will usually only be used in the summer months, I’d only tax it for the summer months and use a Statutory Off Road (SOR) form for when you don’t need the car. Of course, this only works if you can store the car off road. For day-to-day use I’d buy a small car, probably from one of the Korean manufacturers. With five year plus warranties and £35pa road tax it won’t cost much to run.
I know that running two cars isn’t what the politicians had in mind, but they set the rules and shouldn’t complain if we find a way round them.
