What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Which SUV for towing a 650-kilo dinghy?
I currently drive a 2009 Skoda Roomster 1.4 turbo diesel, which is fine for towing my small dinghy. However, I am considering buying a bigger boat and will need a vehicle that can comfortably tow 650 kilos. I don’t want to spend much more than the trade-in price of my Skoda and was contemplating either a used Toyota RAV4 or Nissan X-Trail. Which of these would be best suited to the task? Or should I consider a different vehicle?
Asked on 2 February 2013 by CH, Horsforth, Leeds
Answered by
Honest John
A Roomster should be able to tow 650kg, but an X-Trail or RAV4 will tow it more comfortably. Better an older one without a diesel particulate filter, which means the old 2.2-litre diesel X-Trail.
Similar questions
My daughter has enjoyed her 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI, but now it is time to change. The Golf has done all she could ask, including pulling a small caravan, except that it is not good at coping when towing...
Our trusty 2004 Nissan X-Trail, at 160,000 miles, worries me and may need replacing. Whilst the engine is still sweet, there is a fuel judder at 1800rpm again. Last year we replaced the EGR, camshaft and...
I have an 2005 2.2 DCI Nissan X-Trail, 50,000 miles. Does it have the potentially ruinous components of a diesel particulate filter and a dual mass flywheel? Having read your column I am thinking of selling...
Related models
Excellent, honest vehicle, decent to drive on road and best in class off road. Better than original Freelander.
Bigger and now 5-door only. More luxurious but not as practical as previous RAV-4. Car-like road manners. Petrol and diesel automatics. Facelifted 2010.