Hi all.

I am looking at a cheap tow car and am wondering if it could really tow our 1991 Pan Familia (690 unladen/850 laden weight)?

The car is a petrol 2014 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 SZ4 3-door.

Apparently according to 'Parker's', 'Towcar info' etc, it has a braked tow limit of 1600 kg. However it is 105 bhp with only 145 NM of torque. It is also 4 wheel drive though. On that, I am failing to understand how this car could tow 1600 kg with such low torque, so any opinions on this would be welcome :)

Try this tow car matcher, I had the new 1.5 petrol Jimny which was 100bhp and 130Nm. It was supposed to be to be able to tow 1300kg, however it was painful underpowered to pull my 2015 Familia 320.

https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php

Thanks :)

We tow our 1997 Pan Duo T (T for toilet!) which is an old version of the 320 with a 15 year old VW Polo 1.6 TDI. No problem on hills just keep revs at 2000 or above.We are in Derbyshire so not many flat bits.Averages 46mpg towing.

Quote: EribaNI wrote in post #1

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Hi all.

I am looking at a cheap tow car and am wondering if it could really tow our 1991 Pan Familia (690 unladen/850 laden weight)?

The car is a petrol 2014 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 SZ4 3-door.

Apparently according to 'Parker's', 'Towcar info' etc, it has a braked tow limit of 1600 kg. However it is 105 bhp with only 145 NM of torque. It is also 4 wheel drive though. On that, I am failing to understand how this car could tow 1600 kg with such low torque, so any opinions on this would be welcome :)

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@Steamdriveandy:

So the Vitara was sold. Now looking at a petrol 2019 Dacia Duster 1.6 SCe Essential 4x2. Could you help me work out what this latest cars 'gross train weight' is?

Its a similar scenario: 115BHP, with 156nm torque. Appreciate your help on this.

This cars kerb weight: 1179
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1712

Thanks Colin.
I guess I am trying to get my head around suitable petrol powered torque and BHP to tow the van. On that, jiggling the figures on TowCarInfo suggest the 4x2 Duster is suitable, but 'steamdriveandys' method for calculating suitable BHP and torque suggest its border line. Not prepared to take the risk of a car losing too much grunt going up a steep hill tbh.

With a limited budget, the hunt continues. More bhp and more torque required to be safe, basically.

thanks everyone for you're comments :)

Thanks Colin. I suspect your car has a lot more torque

A 1.2 litre Yeti is worth a look. Lots around, will pull up to 1200kg, highly adaptable interior in the right spec. Lots of other, more powerful engine options available if you want and they have that indefinable Yeti character.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Has really educated me. Using this advice, and a spreadsheet of torque per tonne, I have just bought a 2016 2 Litre petrol Mazda 6. Picking it up tomorrow :) 143 bhp, 210 NM torque with 1300kg braked limit. Obviously not the most powerful tow car out there, but will suit the van well.