Many caravanners see a 4x4 as the ‘ultimate’ towcar. Certainly, if you need a heavy
car to match appropriately to a large caravan, then this may be your only option,
although some larger estates and MPVs may be viable as well. A large 4x4 will
almost certainly deliver excellent pulling performance, great hill start ability, and a
confidence of always being able to get
off a muddy field after a weekend’s
rain! Be aware that some of the smaller
models are less competent, though, and
may not have especially high
kerbweights, towing limits or
noseweight capabilities. There are
some penalties of choosing a 4x4 too.
High running costs (including high fuel
consumption) are almost certain, while
sadly, reliability and refinement cannot
always be taken as read for what are
usually premium price vehicles. Interior space can sometimes be compromised by a
need to leave room for all the heavy-duty mechanical bits and pieces, and turning
circle is often limited too, making parking more of a challenge than normal. The
sheer size of some of the ‘proper’ off roaders can be a mixed blessing – while many
owners like the feeling of safety and security that results from this, you may find you
can not get your new car in your garage.
Some caravan manufacturers say their warranty may be invalidated by towing with an
all-terrain vehicle, so check this point first, either in the caravan manual, or by
contacting the manufacturer direct. Al-Ko Kober, the most popular caravan chassis
manufacturer, issued advice some years ago about towing with an off-road leisure
vehicle. This was to the effect that, in general terms, UK-market caravans are
expected to be towed primarily on prepared roads, with a small amount of
manoeuvring likely on softer ground such as caravan sites. In these circumstances,
the use of leisure type four wheel drive vehicles (those with car-like suspension) is
acceptable, given usual careful driving.
4x4 versions of conventional passenger cars tend to be relatively heavy compared to
their two wheel drive variants, so may be good matches for medium to heavy
caravans, if not ideal for the very largest ones. They will have many of the
advantages of bigger 4x4s (improved traction for slippery roads and hill starts), but
seldom the real off road ability of a true all terrain vehicle, mainly due to limited
ground clearance and ‘road’ rather than ‘off road’ tyres.
8. BODY STYLE
A long rear overhang is less desirable in a tow car - ie. the distance from the rear axle
to the towball, making some large saloons less than ideal. In extreme cases, this can
lead to a depressed rear end requiring suspension aids and a tendency towards
pitching or swaying - a case of the 'tail wagging the dog'. Many estate variants have
uprated, adjustable or even self-levelling suspension to cope with their enhanced load-
carrying capacity, and this can also benefit their towing ability. Self levelling
suspension is a great boon, but often a costly option or only found on the higher
models. Citroen have been a notably exception to the rule in this regard, and their
success over the years at Towcar of the Year must in some part be due to this. The
need to add rear suspension aids (see our leaflet on the subject, ‘Rear Suspension
Are you allowed to tow with a 4x4? If
you passed your driving test from 1
January 1997 onwards, you can only tow
an outfit with a combined maximum
allowable mass of 3500kg unless you
take an additional driving test. Many
4x4 will exceed this limit with almost
any caravan. See The Club's Information
Leaflet ‘Driving Licences in a Nutshell’
(20 pages)
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