Towing my racing car, what van?

[Buddyspaniel]

Hi, I have been towing my racing car around the country for 5 seasons with a Mitsubishi Shogun. It’s a fantastic piece of kit. It would pull a house down and is totally dependable. However I need more space so i,m thinking of buying a van. The race car and trailer weight combined is only about 1600kg so i don’t need a monster Transit or a Sprinter, I simply need something slightly bigger than my Mitzi.
I’ve taken a shine to a Toyota Hiace. All the numbers work regarding towing capacity etc, and being a bit of a Jap fan I,m sure it would be dependable. However looking around the paddocks they are very thin on the ground and I wondered why this might be. Am I missing something or is it simply because they are not that big and they are as ugly as Shrek with a hangover? Does anybody have any experience.
Thanks

[Truckosaurus]

The Hiace was never really a big seller compared to other vans so not surprising you don't see them about.

eg. on Autotrader there are 37 for sale vs 2,500 VW Transporters vs around a thousand each of Renault Trafic, Transit Connect, Merc Vito.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Hi,

Jap imports are not load plated, and makes towing in them illegal/grey area.

I was all lined up for an Elgrand and this curve ball put me off.

I've just purchased a Vito

Regards,
Kam

[Kraken]

Hiaces were sold directly in the UK though. The Elgrand was only every available as an import AFAIK.

[andrewcliffe]

Does your trailer have a plated theoretical max weight?

If it does, then that has to be the assumed weight for the vehicle towing it, regardless of what the actual weight of the load is. Trailer manufactuers will often issue chassis plates with lower limits if that is required.

[Buddyspaniel]

Blimey now i know why i haven’t asked for other people’s opinions on a forum before.

[FatR1ch1e]

don't forget to factor in the load inside the van, spare parts, camping equipment, fuel etc all adds up very quickly. The numbers often look good on paper, then you set off and realise every slight incline will be a struggle.

[wolf1]

andrewcliffe said:

Does your trailer have a plated theoretical max weight?

If it does, then that has to be the assumed weight for the vehicle towing it, regardless of what the actual weight of the load is. Trailer manufactuers will often issue chassis plates with lower limits if that is required.

I believe that rule only applies if you have a post 1997 (I'll probably be corrected on the correct date) license.

[andrewcliffe]

Having once been stopped on the way back from Anglesey with a trailer that was about 100kgs over the theoretical weight. Normal truck had blown a head gasket and wouldn't have been a problem. Was let off with a don't do it again, but they could have insisted on losing the 100kgs. That would have been a passenger and a couple of bags...

[Kraken]

Buddyspaniel said:

Blimey now i know why i haven’t asked for other people’s opinions on a forum before.

You asked why there weren't many about and the first reply told you why. Given the few about finding any with direct experience would be unlikely. Why not ask on a Toyota Hiace forum? You'd get much better results.

[bluecob]

Hi
I read your post with interest as I have used a Hiace van for towing for many years. Mine is a 2008, 120hp model.
I usually tow a twin axle trailer loaded with a Caterham. It is superb for this, even when fully laden. Plenty of torque for hills and will cruise quite happily in 5th all day. My ownership of Hiaces's goes back for at least 30 years and I really wouldn't use anything else as they have all been 100% reliable.