Our BMW X3 Caravan Tow Car
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- By popular demand, we review our Caravan Tow Car.....Our Way!!!
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Website: www.carefreecaravanning.co.uk
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Caravan:
Swift Vogue 580 SB 2018
Swift Caravans
Dunswell Road, Cottingham, East Yorkshire, HU16 4JX
www.swiftgroup.co.uk/caravans
Tel: 01482 847332
Email: enquiries@swiftleisure.co.uk
Great info as my hubby thinking of changing in the next couple of years he’s found this very informative thanks
Hi Candy, Delighted you both found the video useful 👍🏻 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Hi both, we have the X3 3.0 litre. A bit heavier than the 2.0litre, but almost identical to yours. I love the car and would find it hard to switch to something else. The button you pointed to for hill assist is used to go downhill (in snow or off road) slowly, it controls the speed of the car, very useful. Like you I have had a ‘few’ cars.To tow with; Honda CRV, Audi A6 all road and a Land Rover Discovery. The disco was the best to tow with, but everyday use was a bit expensive.
Hi David, Although we did consider the 3 litre X3, at the time of purchase we couldn’t justify it as we were using it for work as well & the fuel/running costs were just too high. Have to agree, the Landy is unbeatable for towing but just not practical for us for everyday use. Thanks for the clarification on the hill assist, looks like we’ll be using it soon judging by the weather forecast 🤔 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
I have a BMW X3 2015 diesel. Lost $ on mine too. Great gas mileage, though. Nice to see someone using it for towing. I added a tow kit to mine for my bikes. Checking out your caravan next. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Suzanne, Many thanks for watching & welcome to our channel. The X3 is a great towing car but we’ve actually changed it now for a Kia Sorento, it’s superb! Sending our best wishes to you, Keith & Michele.
Good video and nice car, I bought a grandland X in march before we thought of getting a caravan. Because the car is designed to be lightweight, I'm limited to mtplm of 1300kg. The caravan unloaded weight is 1103. When you drive on the motorway, you sure do feel it rocking about.
Hi Peter, Thanks for your kind comments 👍🏻 We originally had a 3 series saloon so totally understand “the rocking”. It did do the job but we just had to take it a little easier. Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
We tow with a Range Rover Sport HSE, we have a Cordoba a moment which is we think is a good match. Love watching your videos.👍👍👍😀
Thanks for your kind words Linda, We absolutely love the Range Rover Sport but simply can’t stretch to the price tag 😆 We’ve seen hybrid versions available now too but not much change out of a £100K 😲 Thanks, as always, for watching, Keith & Michele.
Enjoyed that. Lovely car and great story about the interior......lol. I'm as bad as you with cars and money Keith. And remember on the next new car........Michele wants CARAVAN white.😁
Safe travels..........Andy.
Many thanks for your kind words Andy, delighted you enjoyed the video & you’re just as bad at losing money 😂 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
We have the X5 and I have to say it's a fantastic car. Heavy on tyres but then it has a hard life pulls the caravan well. Good review
Hi Jampot20000, Delighted you enjoyed the review 👍🏻 X5 is a gorgeous car 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
@@keithandmichele always enjoy watching your videos thanks James
Thank you great video, just px’d our 2010 Volvo XC70 d5 for a x3 2.0d se just love it! The turning circle on the Volvo was like a cruise ship! 24mpg average we don’t tow either ( motorhome owner) so our 2012 x3 is great on fuel cheaper road tax £160, Volvo was £300 a year and no fun to drive!!! X3 puts a 😀
Hi Andrew, Congratulations on your X3, happy driving 😀 Thanks for watching 👍🏻 Best wishes, stay safe, Keith & Michele.
Nice car nice review thanks, my towcar is 17 years old don't have to worry about dents or scratches or loosing money
Hi Greg, Thanks, as always, for watching 👍🏻 Unlike Keith, you’ve saved yourself a fortune 😆 Enjoy your weekend, Keith & Michele.
Love these cars. We have the X5 and the cabin is almost identical :-)
Hi Rob, Remember seeing your car earlier this year when we met. Beautiful car 👍🏻 Hope you & the family are well & keeping warm!!! It’s cold out there! Time for the heated seats 😀 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Indeed! No heated steering wheel though! 1st world issue eh? 🤣
Nice review, nice car, we tow with a Volvo XC60 D5 awd. I was very surprised how similar the cars are, we get about 45mpg and around 33/35mpg when towing. I would recommend you have a look at the XC60 if you want to change. 👍🏼👍🏼
Hi Sid, several people have recommended the Volvo XC60/90, looks a lovely car, something we’ll have to look into in the future. Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele
Nice tow car and white definitely the best colour, hehe. I had the previous generation X3 it was a good tow car pulled my TA with aplomb. Your tyres sounded bit expensive have you tried Tyres on The Drive. Very competitive even beat my “mates rates” I’ve used them for caravan too. Good service and no issues.
Hi Colin, Haven’t tried Tyres on The Drive, will have to have a look at them. Many thanks for the information 👍🏻 Agree “caravan white” is the best colour 😆 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Another great video guys, we got hyundai santa fe 5 years old, first car that id have another absolutely love it, we had it two years and normally around now id change but no its staying. Ps we had 4 cars in 5 years i know about losing money on cars, you go to a dealer and it feels like they kicking you straight in the nuts lol.
Hi Andrew, Judging from the comments on here, think we should start a group to see who’s lost the most money 😂 Delighted your happy with your Hyundai, happy travels, thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
@@keithandmichele i think id make myself cry if i added up what ive lost on cars since i started driving in 2004, im on my 11th car where i get bored and id imgaine the santa fe took a big hit now they bought the new model out. On the up hand we bought our old trusty 2006 swift charisma 550 in 2017 for 5450 and still selling for 5 to 6k and dealer offerded 4.5k couple weeks ago just deciding whether to keep or upgrade.
Hi Andrew, wouldn’t it be refreshing if cars only depreciated £500 per year like your caravan 😆 Good luck with your decision, sounds like you’ve got some thinking to do 😀 Let us know how you get on 👍🏻Best wishes, Keith & Michele.
Lovely car and great review
Hi Bren & Jules, Many thanks for your lovely words 👍🏻 Hope you’re both ok & not flooded at the marina! Stay safe, best wishes, Keith & Michele.
Hi K&M, Watched with interest. Really nice car. Am I right in saying the towbar I could see is not the factory fit electrically folding one where the towing electrics are integrated into the cars systems? When I plug the caravan in, the car switches to tow mode and various systems on the car change accordingly. One example is the electric tailgate switches to safe mode. I use the paddles to tap down a gear or two when going down hill for a little engine braking. When you change the car, make sure you have the factory fit reverse camera. Makes hitching up a breeze. Enjoyed watching. Thank you Rob
Hi Rob, Thanks for your kind words. You’re correct, we don’t have the factory fitted tow bar but good information to know for next time 👍🏻Great tip regarding the paddles for engine braking 👍🏻 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Lovely car indeed and a very nice walk through of the features. We have a BMW Mini Clubman 2016 new shape which is in fact more BMW than Mini. It’s as big as a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra and has a turning circle of a Sherman Tank. Lovely 2 litre Diesel engine, the same as yours and is very quick. It cannot however be towed by our motorhome due to the aluminium crash zone (needs to be steel) so we had to but another small car (in motorhome white) and we opted for a 2 year old Skoda Citigo which is actually a VW with a different badge. So when it comes to losing money with cars, we are the same as you Kieth. We love the salesmen’s banter and have heard it all over the years. I was pretty good when I bought the mini. I swept all the Chit Chat away, my favourite word was “no” and it took less than an hour to buy the new car.... and that’s a record. 👍🏻😂 Trev
Hi Trev, Thanks for your kind words. Caravan White/Motorhome White......think we should start calling it Swift White 😆 Sounds like we need you to come with us when we get our next car Trev 😀 Keith is sucked in every time 😂 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
So easy to get drawn in by the salesperson but that’s their job in fairness and they are forced to follow 10 or more steps to ensure they A. Meet requirements of the customer B. Sell up as much as they can. C. Promote financial services, gap insurance, tyre cover etc. The main rule is to know what you want at the price you want and be firm, fair and friendly with the salesperson. The second rule is to know when to walk away. It’s a business deal, not a make friends deal but I never say no until my teeth bleed. I always leave a little in it for the dealer so I can go back when things go wrong. Sadly sales staff have a habit of moving on quickly so you rarely see the same one next time. I bet Kieth and I could learn from each other 😉 Trev
Michele says your you’re definitely coming with us 😂 Any chance we could consult you before Keith makes any purchases......he’s a bit of an impulse buyer......remember the “air coolers” 😆😆😆 Have a great weekend, Keith & Michele.
The amazing air conditioners from China were a hoot. 😂
Brilliant channel
Hi Jimbo Lollipop, Many thanks for your kind words, delighted you’re enjoying our channel 😀 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Turning on hill assist usually allows you to stop on a hill without worrying about rolling back. Therefore "technically" turning the electronic handbrake on/off for you automatically, pretty good to have if pulling caravans in roads that may have junction at top of hill.
Points to consider when buying a tow car (assumming you already have the caravan):
1. Will fully loaded car and caravan be less than the legal restriction on your licence (post-1997 licences have restriction of 3,500kg)
2. Is payload of car enough for everyone in it (family of 4/5, dogs) and luggage etc
3. Does your car weight ratio to caravan fall close to the 85% guidance, therefore when fully loaded is it heavy enough, without contravening points 1/2 above.
4. Does your towball support enough weight (most cars are around 75kg which will manage the noseweight of a caravan at around MTPLM 1500kg)
5. Does the car towing capacity support the caravan MTPLM.
6. Does car have enough torque to pull up hills and start on hills if required (usually a diesel will be required for this)
Thanks for the tips.....perfect 😀 Sending our best wishes, Keith & Michele.
Hi Keith and Michelle, I have just bought a new X3. Can you please advise which type of towing mirrors you use. On my BMW X1, I used Milenco Aero 3, which I was very please with them, but they don’t fit the X3.
Love your blogs, keep them coming.
Thanks
Glenn
Hi Glenn, Pretty sure we use the ones you mention for towing with our X3 🤔 Not quite sure why they don’t fit yours. May need further adjustment??? If you’re still struggling, may be worth a trip to your local Halfords (when the time is right of course!) to ask their advice. Hope this helps, Keith & Michele.
Carefree Caravanning Thanks for the info
Hi guys nice motor a good all round review of car would love a decent motor one day like that do but use your xx as a every day car at home or do u have a second car to use at home cheers as always kev
Hi Kev, We don’t use the BMW for work any more, we’ve got a smaller run around now. Much more economical! Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Did you know if you hold the lock button on your key fob it powers your folding mirrors remotely, not obvious but it does work on my X5...
Hi UA-cam-fin, Just checked & yes, that works 😀 Thanks for the advice 👍🏻 Keith & Michele.
That's something I didn't know about my X3! Thanks!
No mention of the 85% rule?
A lovely cared for example and a very helpful review 😊👌 keep it well serviced another 4-5 years rewards can be better then look at a just for example 2008-10 well m sport specfication auto on autotrader or motors take £1200 -£1600 off their retail forecourt value the best price your happy with . If you trade in £2500-£4000 less than retail depends how they worked out profits on car purchase upgrade to or if they seen you coming sales people aren't thick many of them like to come across as like they're doing you a favor 😉 this is as and when you decide to sell or trade don't get sucked in to excuses in trade
Hi Rich, Many thanks for your detailed comment, we’ll certainly be giving you a shout when we’re ready to change 😀👍🏻😆 Seriously though, we’re not intending to change any time soon & we’ll definitely continue to look after the X3 👍🏻 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
@@keithandmichele you're very welcome
Hi both your not the only couple who can lose a fortune on cars need any tips give us a shout 👍😉
Hi Paul, Many thanks for watching, we’ll definitely be taking you up on that offer 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Have a great weekend, Keith & Michele.
Hi both, I have an x3, 3.0d, when towing which mode do you use? Eco, normal or sport? Thanks
Hi Steven, We’ve actually changed our car now & have a Kia Sorento. When we had the X3 we always towed in normal mode as this worked absolutely fine for us. Personally, we wouldn’t recommend towing in sport or eco mode, as this would surprisingly, lower your mpg. Hope this helps, Keith & Michele.
Sir, do you have a backup camera in the caravan? Would you recommend some specific model (I think I noticed an electric mirror in the video)? Having a difficult time finding something of good quality... Thanks!
Hi Linus. No we don’t/didn’t have a backup camera in the caravan. Many wireless types available though. Sending you our best wishes, Keith & Michele
Hi, please can you tell me which towing mirrors you use as I’m struggling to find any that fit my X3 2020 G01. Many thanks
Hi, we use Milenco towing mirrors. Thanks, Keith & Michele
Interesting, I have the same car with the 35d model (twin turbo 3.0) and I average 25-26mpg with a large twin axle
Hi Kevin, We would have liked to have opted for the 3.5L option as the fuel consumption is so much better when towing. Obviously our 2L has to work harder when pulling our caravan. Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Greater, informative vids. Keep up the good work. Yeah, the X3 is a great car. Had it 4yrs and no plans to change it
Cheers Kev 👍🏻
Enjoyed the video as always but wanted to get my tuppence in about a great tow car, built right here in the UK that's often overlooked, that is the Jaguar XF. I'm on my second XF now dropping from the older 3.0D V6 to the 2.0D i4 but still with 180bhp as standard and a towing capacity of 2000Kg. The XF has twice won the tow car of the year award and (IMHO) rightly so. MPG is high 50's in normal driving and I still get around 40MPG pulling our Hobby 575 VIP (1600KG). All the comforts and toys you would expect including a reverse camera that actually lets you see the tow ball when hitching. Anyway, i'm not doing a car review just suggesting you considder the Jaguar XF if/when you're changing your tow car. Keep the videos coming, I love em. ua-cam.com/video/2scvl_dNt7o/v-deo.html
Hi TicketyBoo, Thanks very much for your kind words, just looked at the link for the Jaguar XF, looks fantastic, gorgeous looking car 👍🏻 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
A bit confused, the CAMC recommend 85% towing limit and I think the law say 100% towing limit. If your car weights around 1745kg, how can it tow 2000kg. Have I got something wrong?
Hi Guys, We’ll you’ve got us confused now as well 😆 Will have to look into this. Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
With you on this point..... i want to be able to pull not be pushed by something behind me...
@@caravantuggers1608 The X3 2.0d step auto can tow 2000kg, and also there is no law to say you cannot tow above 100%, unless you got you licence after 1997. This is why I use my BMW X3 for towing instead of the wife’s Discovery Sport, we have the Buccaneer Clipper and its a heavy twin axle van and the X3 pulls it no problem.
Morning Guys. I’m new to caravaning. I’ve got a 2.0tdi VW golf mk6. Do you know if it would tow a caravan and do you know what size van I could tow. Thanks Mark
Hi Mark, please look at towcar.info where it will match your car details with caravans suitable for towing. Hope this helps, Keith & Michele.
We have a Tiguan which the husband got for pulling caravan as out other car only pulls up to 1400
Hi Tina, We’ve never really looked at VW’s in detail but the Tiguan looks like a very nice car indeed 👍🏻 Hope it’s in Caravan White 😆😂😆 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
It's white
Hi guys Love the review also the white caravan colour 🤣
Hi Top Notch, Delighted you enjoyed the review, think tow car manufacturers should introduce “Caravan White” as a colour option 😆😂😆 Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
Have you installed a brake controller on it?
Hi Ramiro, No we didn’t & we’ve now changed the car to a Kia Sorento. Thanks for watching, Keith & Michele.
What's the name of the manufacturer of the chairs you'er sitting on?
Hi James, We purchased these chairs from Amazon, here's the link amzn.to/2GA94Hw Hope this helps, Keith & Michele.
Hey there, how much does the caravan weigh?
Hi Josh, Our caravan is a 2020 Swift Challenger 645 & weighs 1635kg (MTPLM) Hope this helps, sending our best wishes to you, Keith & Michele.
@@keithandmichele perfect, thanks for the info!