RB5_245

I need to sort out a tow car to tow my rally car on a trailer.

Since an RS6 is out of the question what's on offer for about 600quid

I'm thinking volvo estate or audi, need somthing reliable and able to pull it.

Any suggestions? There is no way I'd put a tow bar onto my RB5, so I'll need something else.

Dave

pslewis

Your RB5 would do fine!!

You big girlie ..... just put a Subaru Swanneck on - it's invisible when not being used!

And will cost a damned sight less than £600 with no maintenance necessary

Pete

RB5_245

Then I could spend that 600quid on a super dooper shiney dump valve, in fact why not 2

Nope I am a big girls blouse, there's no way I'd desicrate my car with a tow bar

PG

Mondeo V6 estate ?

rexabusa

3.0 carlton/senator , remember you want the car thats pulling to be heavier than what you are pulling.

paulwrxboro

transit van ?

logiclee

What would be the total weight of the rally car and trailer?

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I've used a Sierra 4x4 Ghia Estate in the past (with a V6 engine, not the lifeless 4 pot), superb torque from low speeds to get the whole lot moving. Better than any of my Legacies could ever do.

RB5_245

Total weight would be about 1ton or just over, it's only a 205.

Transit would be perfect but it has to be a car, it's being donated to a friend to keep it out the way when not in use.

I quite like the idea of a sierra V6 or cavalier, nice and cheep to run too i imagine

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Granada Scorpio V6 2.8/2.9

Get the 4x4 if you can but rare as...

Colinj

Old Land Rover Discovery - Try to get a Diesel over the petrol V8 though because it will hit you hard in the pocket with fuel costs!!
Plenty room in the back for spares.......wheels etc!!
Something like this - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00606223805131

RB5_245

I like that, didn't realise they went that cheap. Good thread, thanks for the ideas

Dave

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

There's a few Cherokees on Autotrader for less than £1k.

D

RB5_245

Anyone owned one? I think that's heading toward high maintenance/repair costs... although a nice idea

logiclee

Nice and cheap to run although the V6 Sierra's drink fuel, you would be lucky to make 16mpg with the trailer on.

I wouldn't recommend it anyway old cavs and Sierra's are old school and light, car transporters can be a bit of a pain to get loaded right especially with nose weight and you don't want a tow match that's near 100%.

Look for something a bit heavier, I used a Series 3 LandRover to tow our Rally Car but Defenders should be falling into your price band by now. If not I'd go for an older Discovery.

Cheers
Lee

RRH

Saab 9-5, cheap as chips and as comfy as a fat lass

captain ted

Totally agree.

I have a removable one on my MY01 and tow a tonne worth of caravan with it.

Will cost a fortune in comparison to around £300 to buy and run another car.

Ted.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I had a Sierra 4x4 as I stated, and managed a solid 20-22mpg with a car on a trailer back from Birmingham a few years ago. I can't see a LandRover doing much better than that. The 4x4 Sierra or Granada are very solid on their feet and do handle the towing excellently, parts are virtually for nothing, and lastly, they double up as a very good chase car - I should know - mine used to be owned by Brooklyn Ford Motorsport team, and I used it to chase on the 1995 Circuit of Ireland rally.

logiclee

You did a lot better than me, I owned three back in the late 80's and early 90's. A 2.8 XR4X4, a 2.9 XR4X4 and a 2.9 4X4 GLS. Never managed that high when towing the caravan or the car transporter.
The Sierra was a light car though, a twin axle car transporter and small rally car will be a near 100% match which is fine until something goes wrong.
I used the Sierra to tow the car transporter with our Chevette HS Rally car, yes it towed well but I always had my heart in my mouth if the outfit started to sway or snake, always took the Landy if possible.
Car transporters like a bit more nose weight as well, moving the rally car forward a few inches can increase nose weight dramatically. You should ideally aim for a nose weight of around 7-10% of the trailer weight on car transporters which would leave our thread starter with a nose weight of between 70 and 110kg. The maximum nose weight that Ford specify for the Sierra was 60kg. Most modern cars have a nose weight limit of around 75kg and most 4X4's have 100kg+ limit. Towing any trailer with a light nose weight can vastly increase instability.

Cheers
Lee

pslewis

He's a big girlie, mate ..... doesn't want to damage his image being seen towing with his Scoobie

The swanneck would cost £200, the electrics simply plug into the plug Subaru supply in the boot and there you have it ..... it disappears when not being used and locks into place for use.

Damned sight cheaper and less bother than some old clapped out Ford ...... and, that joker recommending a Land Rover!! Ha Ha Ha - I assume he actually wants to get somewhere???? They are utter ****e!

Pete

jimmy wrx

captain ted

It is not a road going rally car.

It is a very reliable practical car that has plenty of power for towing.

What is the point of buying a crap second car to do all the work?

Ted.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I'm going to guess that you'll offer to go chase car for him with your Scoob, Pete. He'll only need a couple of spare wheels, a jack, some spares, a couple of jerry cans of fuel, all ratling about in the back of a Scooby saloon, or how about in the MX-5, you could even get one of those spacious bootlid racks

captain ted

Thought that's what the trailer was for?

What's the point in having a perfectly good car and not using it?

Ted.

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

A little unclear on the concept Ted. A good car will both tow the trailer, and be able to be filled to the brim with all the spares, wheels, etc that you will need for the event. You don't manage to fit anywhere near enough in a Subaru saloon, with an early Legacy estate a minimum realistic size.

RB5_245

Well wind up or not... this should at least get some interesting replies....

As said, I'm not filling my pride and joy up with dirty spares, then leaving the service crew to drive around after the car in boiler suits eating ginsters pies

I'd be lucky to get 10mpg towing with my car, big turbo's and towing dont go.

A tow bar, even hidden would look terrible and i dont want to put management stickers on the paint...... Hence I need an old shed

pwhittle

I've towed a Fiesta on a trailer with several cars, and if I had to do it again, I'd use a Transit, large engined Volvo or Granana. All RWD which helps sometimes (I got stuck towing up a gravel path at Mallory in a FWD Audi - very nerve-wracking).

You could get a reasonable Granada or Volvo for £400-500, with dead simple mechanics (Kwik-Fit jokes anyone!).

captain ted

Supprisingly, I get only a slight difference in MPG towing my caravan.

I suppose I am using the power to tow and not accelerate and am therefore light on the throttle.

Point taken.

Didn't realise the car needed to carry loads of crap too. (You are still a tart though re. the towbar! )

Astra van is a good compromise.

Ted.

Franx2

You could get quite a nice Range Rover classic for that price. They almost all have towbars, and are undoubtedly capable of towing that weight. Nicer than a discovery as well. If you look around, you'll find one on LPG as well. It'll be a V8 at that price, or possibly a diesel conversion, but they go well enough. I had one for a while, and had huge fun Sounds bloody good as well