Tow Mc26

[bartmac]

Not sure what the go is elsewhere BUT and its a BIG but....insurance in Australia......won't pay if you break the law...so overweight and a accident and you hit a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ car truck boat caravan house etc etc and NO insurance

[Mac26Mpaul]

Well I used a Mitsubishi Magna for the first 3 years (1500kg towing capacity and totally illegal of course). Mostly I ownly towed it a few hundred metres to the ramp, but 3 or 4 times did tow it further, including 200kms when I bought it. (that was a bit scary with a side wind on the freeway). Suspension was looking pretty sad but it did tow it fine.

The sales figures regarding weight are nonsense. I took just about everything out of the boat and got 1960kgs (had three 20kg batteries onboard though)....

[Feval75]

I have to tow it for 700km and take a ferry. Rent a CAR for a month and take ferry is too expensive.

[jimbo]

My with Evinrude 60hp weighted in at 1890 ATM before I added the solar panel. I did not strip it. Even had one full tank of fuel. The tow ball load at that time was 180kg. So the axle load is approx 1710 so I have approx. 200kg axle load and 100kg of tow ball load remaining (Touareg V6 TDI at 280kg ball loading).
The biggest extras I need to yet add are fridge, bigger anchor (lewmar delta) and mount spare wheel on the trailer.
The spare is approx 20kg and mounted up front on the trailer will mostly affect the tow ball load. The new bigger anchor I might remove and place in the trunk of the tow beast. The fridge will mostly hit the axle loading. I already have two batteries in the above weigh in so hope to not need another. Water will be in multiple 15ltr containers and thus removable if required (I hope not to need to). So not a lot of leeway for other stuff but doable for the near term of mainly day sailing or short term over nighters.
Another factor to consider here in Aus. The vehicle gross combined limit. For the Touareg this is 6225kg. Kerb weight is approx 2200kg. So kerb weight plus ATM at approx 4200kg is well inside the Gross combined limit leaving enough for passengers and gear. So all will be within the Touareg's capacities and the stock trailer capacities.
Theory is nice though. Gone are the days of "she'll be right mate . . . . " as pointed out by Tow Mc26, insurance aspects really need to be considered . . .

[Catigale]

Jumbo...ive got my eye on one of those Tauregs for towing when the present tow vehicle dies..how does that TDI sip fuel when towing?

[beene]

Jumbo...ive got my eye on one of those Tauregs for towing when the present tow vehicle dies..how does that TDI sip fuel when towing?

I like that one

Also looking at new SantaFe, Highlander and Pathfinder

[WASP18]

Jumbo...ive got my eye on one of those Tauregs for towing when the present tow vehicle dies..how does that TDI sip fuel when towing?

I like that one

Also looking at new SantaFe, Highlander and Pathfinder

For the uniformed like me and for those who don't follow the latest fashions in vehicle branding, perhaps a translation of who the manufacturer is could be mentioned. (Santa Fe, New Mexico, Scottish Highlander and U.S. Air Force Pathfinder) I find myself on "Google" quite often seeking lingo language and product branding interpretations. On the plus side of things, I get to learn something new during my search. :)The Tuareg (also spelled Twareg or Touareg; endonym Imuhagh) are a Berber people with a traditionally nomadic pastoralist lifestyle. They are the principal inhabitants of the Saharan interior of North Africa.

[beene]

My pleasure...

Toyota Highlander

Hyundai Santa Fe

Nissan Pathfinder

To replace my gas eating Dodge Durango 5.7 V8 Hemi

[Tomfoolery]

Toyota Highlander is also known as the Kluger in Australia and Japan, for those playing along at home, from Australia. Or Japan.

[bartmac]

I think all those vehicles are on the small side to tow a Mac legally (in Australia )....well any Mac with more than a cut lunch on board.For towing something as big and heavy as a Mac...I've been advised a Nissan Patrol or Toyota Landcruiser is the go...or a F truck....but then again different jurisdictions have different tow rules weight wise.We currently use a Ford transit truck 2.4litre turbo diesel (chipped)...small engine but easily up to the task,fuel efficient and able to tow at highway speed with out any worries....worried about some dodgy ramps and tidal differences as its only 2 wheel drive.....have actually timed our departure/retrieval to coincide with higher tide so as not to have the trailer over the end of the ramp and drive wheels on slippery bits.Our concern is also about the leaving of our rig at ramps for days....weeks? unattended....so the VW V10 Toureg I saw the other day would present a security problem....but just imagine the power nearly 1000 Nm torque 400 odd KW yeahhhhh!!!!

[RobertB]

In 2005, I looked at the Tuareg (and VW only spells it one way) especially since it was one of the only SUVs with a diesel engine. Starting price $65k US. I just could not justify that kind of markup. You can buy a small Land Rover for less today.

[mastreb]

Dropping my ever present recommendation for the Mercedes-Benz GL class, especially the GL350. #7500 tow rating, trailer stability assist--it even tells you which of your trailer lights are out in the dash.

When you figure in the residual value, you're really only burning off the same dollars as a much less expensive vehicle unless you plan to keep it for a decade. And even then, it lasts well.

[jimbo]

Jumbo...ive got my eye on one of those Tauregs for towing when the present tow vehicle dies..how does that TDI sip fuel when towing?

That I cannot say yet. Have not towed the yet. Will advise when I know.

[dxg4848]

I tow short distances (about 5 miles) from my house to marina with Mitsubishi Outlander V6 AWD. It is rated at 3500 lb towing / 350 lb tongue weight. I feel comfortable towing that short distance, no highway and mostly 25 mi/h speed limit.

This year I added Lewmar 550 windlass and 100' of 1/4 inch chain, which significantly increased tongue weight. I also added 56 lb kicker. It compensated for chain weight a little, but all together tongue tongue weight is now 360 lb and it concerns me.

I will still tow with Outlander next season, and then my wife will finally let me purchase my dream truck Toyota Tundra rated at 10,000 lb towing / 1,000 lb tongue weight. Then we can safely tow anywhere.

[Tomfoolery]

Also looking at new SantaFe, Highlander and Pathfinder

My Highlander is as small as I'd go, and your boat weighs a little more than mine. Something with a longer wheelbase would be nice, but highway travel is ok as it is. 5000 lb tow rating, by the way.

This was taken as we were leaving for MMOR IV. The Highlander looks a little small towing that boat, but the wheelbase, track, and empty weight is the same as a 4Runner, though the former is built on a car chassis, while the latter is body-on-frame. I've had two 4Runners over the years, and towed boats with both of them, and to be honest, the Highlander tows about the same as the 4Runners, but doesn't have the truck-like ride of the 4Runners. Much more comfy, in other words.

But I'd still like to have something one size up in towing and gross weight, and especially wheelbase. Maybe when this lease is up in another year.