Which MPV Towcar
Discussion
So seriously looking at getting a 6 berth twin axle caravan next year (2 adults, 3 kids of 6,4,3yrs old and occasional another adult).
So the caravan needs to be 6 berth and from research would prefer twin axle for stability an space.
Towcar needs to be 7 seater, automatic.
Current car is a 02 V6 Galaxy Automatic. Great car and we would be without an MPV with flexible seating now.
Not sure it will make a great tow car though - certainly has the power but the thirst will mean frequent fuel stops and the auto box on these is not renowned for being the strongest. It's a fabulous bus with a VR6 growl and great handling but perhaps these things are not useful when towing a big caravan!
Also wouldn't mind a bit more room as offered by some of the bigger MPV's out there.
So looking around it appears that the KIA Sedona is the best MPV for towing as voted by some magazines (and seems to be popular with caravaners I've seen round here).
What others are with a look? Always like the CHrysler voyager but perhaps too unreliable?
Thinking up to 5k budget for the car.
I think we'll do one or two long trips to South if France and Italy per year, the rest will be weekends in UK.
Will be at least 5 passengers + caravan.
Will not be a daily drive but that could change and then it'd only do 5miles per weekday for school run. So mileage will not be massive (hence we run a V6 petrol now) but I'm thinking diesel is better for torque low down and less fuel stops.
Any suggestions/ experiences welcomed.
PS Not interested in estate cars at all. After having an MPV with individual seats I'll not go back to anything else until the kids are out of kids seats. The raised seating position is also something I do not want to give up on, especially with kids in tow.
4X4's could be interesting but I believe only the Volvo has 7 seats but that is massively unreliable and the middle row is a bench so less flexible (the Galaxy usually has the middle seat out giving great space and access for the kids and an adult).
No need to move seats to let people in the 3rd row).
So the caravan needs to be 6 berth and from research would prefer twin axle for stability an space.
Towcar needs to be 7 seater, automatic.
Current car is a 02 V6 Galaxy Automatic. Great car and we would be without an MPV with flexible seating now.
Not sure it will make a great tow car though - certainly has the power but the thirst will mean frequent fuel stops and the auto box on these is not renowned for being the strongest. It's a fabulous bus with a VR6 growl and great handling but perhaps these things are not useful when towing a big caravan!
Also wouldn't mind a bit more room as offered by some of the bigger MPV's out there.
So looking around it appears that the KIA Sedona is the best MPV for towing as voted by some magazines (and seems to be popular with caravaners I've seen round here).
What others are with a look? Always like the CHrysler voyager but perhaps too unreliable?
Thinking up to 5k budget for the car.
I think we'll do one or two long trips to South if France and Italy per year, the rest will be weekends in UK.
Will be at least 5 passengers + caravan.
Will not be a daily drive but that could change and then it'd only do 5miles per weekday for school run. So mileage will not be massive (hence we run a V6 petrol now) but I'm thinking diesel is better for torque low down and less fuel stops.
Any suggestions/ experiences welcomed.
PS Not interested in estate cars at all. After having an MPV with individual seats I'll not go back to anything else until the kids are out of kids seats. The raised seating position is also something I do not want to give up on, especially with kids in tow.
4X4's could be interesting but I believe only the Volvo has 7 seats but that is massively unreliable and the middle row is a bench so less flexible (the Galaxy usually has the middle seat out giving great space and access for the kids and an adult).
No need to move seats to let people in the 3rd row).
So I've looked into the BE and I do have a BE license so no issue there.
Re the tow car, good shout on the Discovery, would love to own one but an very afraid of running costs and unreliability. Especially at the 5k purchase price bracket.
Is want to but quite new if going for such a vehicle.
Got me thinking to check on the Jap alternatives like Landcruiser as some may have 7 seats but then not in the layout that is most comfortable for spending lots of time in when driving.
They did make some 4X4 Sharans but those are rare in UK....
Need to check jap imports as they may have some interesting 4x4 MPVs.
It seems the Galaxy is a very capable tow car with a lot of positive reviews provided you are aware of the FWD limitations on wet grass and steep wet hills which some have alleviated by running M+S Tyres and not stopping once moving on wet grass!
Of course choosing suitable camp site with level grounds and hard standing will help!
Re the tow car, good shout on the Discovery, would love to own one but an very afraid of running costs and unreliability. Especially at the 5k purchase price bracket.
Is want to but quite new if going for such a vehicle.
Got me thinking to check on the Jap alternatives like Landcruiser as some may have 7 seats but then not in the layout that is most comfortable for spending lots of time in when driving.
They did make some 4X4 Sharans but those are rare in UK....
Need to check jap imports as they may have some interesting 4x4 MPVs.
It seems the Galaxy is a very capable tow car with a lot of positive reviews provided you are aware of the FWD limitations on wet grass and steep wet hills which some have alleviated by running M+S Tyres and not stopping once moving on wet grass!
Of course choosing suitable camp site with level grounds and hard standing will help!
Dino D said:
4X4's could be interesting but I believe only the Volvo has 7 seats but that is massively unreliable and the middle row is a bench so less flexible (the Galaxy usually has the middle seat out giving great space and access for the kids and an adult).
No need to move seats to let people in the 3rd row).
Pre 2006 you might have found problems but that was all fixed A LONG time ago. Have had my xc90 for a year now no major problems and it tows very well.No need to move seats to let people in the 3rd row).
Yes you will need to tip a middle row seat forward to get in to the third row - but thats because its not a glorified van.
Went to have our first look around caravan interiors today.
Decided twin axle is an overkill for our first van. A single axle 6 berth (with 3 bunks and rear corner bathroom ala Bailey Ancona) will be fine, especially with a good size awning.
This means the Galaxy sized car is more than ok. Pleased about that as the layout of a good MPV makes traveling and access a pleasure.
Out of the MPV's can anyone suggest alternatives to the Galaxy worth considering (say max 5k budget)?
Decided twin axle is an overkill for our first van. A single axle 6 berth (with 3 bunks and rear corner bathroom ala Bailey Ancona) will be fine, especially with a good size awning.
This means the Galaxy sized car is more than ok. Pleased about that as the layout of a good MPV makes traveling and access a pleasure.
Out of the MPV's can anyone suggest alternatives to the Galaxy worth considering (say max 5k budget)?
Went to have our first look around caravan interiors today.
Decided twin axle is an overkill for our first van. A single axle 6 berth (with 3 bunks and rear corner bathroom ala Bailey Ancona) will be fine, especially with a good size awning.
This means the Galaxy sized car is more than ok. Pleased about that as the layout of a good MPV makes traveling and access a pleasure.
Out of the MPV's can anyone suggest alternatives to the Galaxy worth considering (say max 5k budget)?
Decided twin axle is an overkill for our first van. A single axle 6 berth (with 3 bunks and rear corner bathroom ala Bailey Ancona) will be fine, especially with a good size awning.
This means the Galaxy sized car is more than ok. Pleased about that as the layout of a good MPV makes traveling and access a pleasure.
Out of the MPV's can anyone suggest alternatives to the Galaxy worth considering (say max 5k budget)?
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