matthew902 Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I am looking at purchasing a tow van for my mate that is coming over from Australia 🇦🇺 for the summer with his 1200kg race car he has a race shuttle trailer for his car. Buy needs a tow van for his spares and tools. Budget upto £8k max Any suggests needs to be able to tow 2/2.5 tons. Been looking at transit vans any other suggestions or even better anyone got something suitable for sale. Mat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I have a Mercedes Vito and it’s superb at towing especially as its rear wheel drive. Pretty sure they are rated at 2000kg for the model I have (W639 from 2013) and 2500kg for 2014 year onwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I think I'd get a Transit personally. Back in late 90's I had experience towing with a LWB V6 Mk2. It was very bad on fuel but rock solid as a tow vehicle with a BJ trailer underneath a 3 door Sierra race car. It had a slatted floor roof rack too which doubled as storage for the wets and a viewing platform/roof garden... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dommo Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Discovery commercial? Could just about scrape into the disco 4s at that budget, but disco 3 commercials seem to be around the 5-8k mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arm Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Think our ducato is rated at 2.5 tons. It copes with the covered trailer easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve (sdh2903) Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 17 hours ago, Blatman said: I think I'd get a Transit personally. Depends on age. Weve had mk6/7 at work that were reliable and pulled very well. They do suffer with rot though if not looked after. We've had a mk8 since 2017 and it's been nowt but trouble. Injectors, dpf, egr and electrics have all caused repetitive issues. It's now needing suspension bushes and it's not done any real mileage and has a pampered life compared to tradesman use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim RS Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Personally I found the Jeep Grand Cherokee to be one of the best tow vehicles I have owned, the Mercedes 3 litre diesel engine is virtually bullet proof and they are as cheap as chips. You could get a later one with the twin turbo for this sort of money, rip out the rear seats and have a comfortable van with the added advantage of being allowed to tow 3500kg not 3500kg Maximum Gross as in a commercial van. If you're determined to get a van the best ones we had were VW Transporters but servicing can be a bit expensive, Transits are ok and are the best at retaining residuals just watch for dodgy servicing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Steve (sdh2903) said: We've had a mk8 since 2017 and it's been nowt but trouble. Injectors, dpf, egr and electrics have all caused repetitive issues. It's now needing suspension bushes and it's not done any real mileage and has a pampered life compared to tradesman use. Fair point. A very good friend of mine is an RAC Patrol and he has had transits for years and rarely has trouble with them. Which reminds me, when the Mk2 went we picked up a Mk4 (I think) ex AA diesel transit with crew cab layout. That was very reliable too, but slow and gutless as it was sans turbo... For balance with the Mercs, I have also worked for companies that used the Vito and I have direct experience of one of the LWB high top Mercs as well. Both were reliable but servicing and parts could be a little pricy. The Vito was very fleet of foot and when not loaded up to the gunnels was able to top 100mph on closed roads... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 8 minutes ago, Blatman said: The Vito was very fleet of foot Indeed it is - when towing i keep forgetting there’s anything attached, so you need to be vigilant 😁 In fact when i recently had a a blow out on my single axle trailer i only noticed because of an odd noise and smoke in the mirrors!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neptune Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 On 17/02/2022 at 23:08, Kingster said: I have a Mercedes Vito and it’s superb at towing especially as its rear wheel drive. Pretty sure they are rated at 2000kg for the model I have (W639 from 2013) and 2500kg for 2014 year onwards My 2016 Vito is rated at 2000kg . I wouldn't recommend it for towing as the steering us just too over powered and makes it hard work to keep a heavy trailer in a straight line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 2 hours ago, neptune said: My 2016 Vito is rated at 2000kg . I wouldn't recommend it for towing as the steering us just too over powered and makes it hard work to keep a heavy trailer in a straight line. Really? Something must have changed since the model I have 😳 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Waterfall Syman84 Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 If it has to be a van fair enough but i have been towing for years with people carriers. The mk3 galaxy was great, strong 2.0 tdci engine all the seats go flat into the floor you can even fit a single mattress in there if you need to sleep. Don't get a power shift auto though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Thorne Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 21 hours ago, neptune said: My 2016 Vito is rated at 2000kg . I wouldn't recommend it for towing as the steering us just too over powered and makes it hard work to keep a heavy trailer in a straight line. I have a V6 2014 Vito dual-liner, excellent tow van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neptune Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Yep I had a 2013 V6 brabus before this 2016 dualiner. Much more stable for towing heavy loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 On 18/02/2022 at 18:54, Kingster said: Indeed it is - when towing i keep forgetting there’s anything attached, so you need to be vigilant 😁 In fact when i recently had a a blow out on my single axle trailer i only noticed because of an odd noise and smoke in the mirrors!! And yet people insist that the world will end if you have a blowout on a single axle trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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