Towing a F430

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Discussion

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

165 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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My girlfriend laughed at me when I had the idea of towing my F430 behind our Range Rover Sport... but as she has a child, we have to drive most places (visiting my parents, friends, etc) in the Range Rover, and often I'd like to have the F430 there - especially next weekend as there is a track day near my parents house.

So my idea was to tow the F430 with us, so we can drive up in the Range Rover but I can still go out in the F430. I have never towed anything (other than a tractor + trailer when i worked on a farm about 7 years ago), so not sure how it is towing a car on the motorway etc.

Anyway, is it a tonne of hassle to take the F430 around like this or is it a realistic idea? The Range Rover should be fine for towing at least. Would be good to hear from anyone who has done this or does it more frequently.

SteelySteve

350 posts

171 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Your Range Rover will tow it just fine, the 430 is light and easy to tow.

The main thing to remmember is this - You must reverse it onto the trailer.... So the engine weight is as near to the tow hitch as possible

Drive it on forwards and you'll soon experince terifying trailer sway.

Also, you need a wider than average car trailer, I have one for sale if you're interested (that will accomodate a 430).

Edited by SteelySteve on Wednesday 22 October 00:38

thr32

100 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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sealtt said:
Anyway, is it a tonne of hassle to take the F430 around like this or is it a realistic idea? The Range Rover should be fine for towing at least. Would be good to hear from anyone who has done this or does it more frequently.
Yep, it's absolutely possible. Failing the above, a Brian James A-Max will carry it if you're accurate. If it's an F1, it will grumble about reversing up the ramp, but that's as bad as it gets. Oh, and having to go everywhere at (ahem) 70 may mean you have to allow more time for your journey...



TH

SteelySteve

350 posts

171 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Is that an M5 you're towing with? Is it type approved for a tow hitch?

hman

7,487 posts

201 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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I have towed many different cars behind my 4x4, something you need to consider is that you will be driving a very long, wide and slow moving vehicle.

The ifor williams standard car trailer is pretty much as wide as a motorway lane on a 4 lane motorway and not much smaller than a 3 lane motorway lane, when you are not on the motorway country lanes will seem very tight as the trailer is typically wider than a 4x4.

Reversing with the trailer on is fairly easy as the twin and triple axle trailers stay straighter than a single axle trailer, you will still need space to turn the trailer around at your destination though.

Tight corners on smaller roads and country high streets require some careful planning to prevent the embarrassment and damage of catching a trailer on a wall or parked car.

Overall I prefer using a car transporter, but a trailer is an option if you dont want or dont have access to one of those.

SOmethinig you may wish to consider is hiring the trailer - there is a place near me that charges £36 per day for a car trailer which is amazing value really.


thr32

100 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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SteelySteve said:
Is that an M5 you're towing with? Is it type approved for a tow hitch?
Yep, factory fit, approved for 2 tons.

TH

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

165 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Do you live in Poole thr32? I've seen a blue M5 with tow hook here and wondered who would tow with it!!

Thanks for the info, it sounds difficult reversing onto the trailer! It is an F1 model. Does make me nervous of not crashing whilst trying to get on the trailer, and being able to secure it down properly.

I will try and stop by a local place with trailers to see how it all looks, certainly the range rover seems fine for towing and adding a tow hook is easy at least. Will let you know SteelySteve if I am going to go down this route to discuss that trailer you have.

DeltonaS

3,707 posts

145 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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SteelySteve said:
Your Range Rover will tow it just fine, the 430 is light and easy to tow.

The main thing to remmember is this - You must reverse it onto the trailer.... So the engine weight is as near to the tow hitch as possible

Drive it on forwards and you'll soon experince terifying trailer sway.

Also, you need a wider than average car trailer, I have one for sale if you're interested (that will accomodate a 430).




Edited by SteelySteve on Wednesday 22 October 00:38
Noting better to do then involve yourself in this nonsense.......

Edited by DeltonaS on Wednesday 22 October 19:44

jonny finance

939 posts

213 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Can be slow progress too..Dont forget your down a lane, being only legal to drive with trailer in inside and middle. Can be frustrating mixing it with the HGVs while they play 'snail overtake'.. quite often stuck in middle lane behind lorry as he kindly gestures 'why don't you overtake moron' oblivious that your towing and are prohibited from using outside lane.. Police are hot on this with points pretty much inevitable..

For me always leave early thus avoiding volume of traffic - good pace can then be achieved

thr32

100 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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sealtt said:
Do you live in Poole thr32? I've seen a blue M5 with tow hook here and wondered who would tow with it!!
Not guilty. Useful thing to have though... Never know when you will need to move a fridge at 155...

;-)

TH

MJK 24

5,652 posts

243 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Make sure your car (430) is covered insurance wise whilst being towed.

Make your Range Rover insurers aware of your intentions.

DanoS4

869 posts

201 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
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What about just driving the car in convoy? I appreciate you're not all in the same vehicle, but is that a major issue?

Zoobeef

6,004 posts

165 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
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MJK 24 said:
Make sure your car (430) is covered insurance wise whilst being towed.

Make your Range Rover insurers aware of your intentions.
Just check your policy docs on the range rover. Privilege (mine) just say what I'm towing is covered 3rd party.


OP, I assume you have the correct licence for towing that weight?

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

165 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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Well after the advice on here I went and looked into it and it seemed like just too much hassle loading the car onto the trailer and driving the trailer around, especially as my parents are in the countryside so that would have been a nightmare trying to navigate the roads there. Trackdays are fine to drive to and so I didn't get as far as considering towing weight.

Anyway, I've now got a great excuse to get a 458 as I need a more comfy car for the long journeys I'll be doing!!

DanoS4 said:
What about just driving the car in convoy? I appreciate you're not all in the same vehicle, but is that a major issue?
She hasn't passed her test yet as we lived in London before so she didn't drive. We'll hopefully be able to do that by next summer though which would be a good workaround actually.


NNK

1,157 posts

206 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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Indespension trailer and winch the car on to save your clutch.