Q&A: Can the new Ford Everest tow a big caravan?

Question: 

Also, is there something else we should be considering in this price range? We would need the car soon. – Robyn and Glen

Answer: Wow, lucky you! I’m jealous… Whichever car you look at you want to make sure you’re not banging up against its tow limit. With the Everest you’ll be fine, because it’s rated to tow 3500kg.

But you still have to be aware of the payload once you’re towing that much. Assuming you’ll have the industry standard 10 per cent pushing down on the tow ball, then you have to include that 290kg in the payload. You also have to consider the gross combination mass (the weight of the car and trailer and everything in each of them).

For the Trend 4x4 four-cylinder the maximum you can carry in the car when towing 2.9 tonnes is 415kg. That will get soaked up pretty quickly by four people and their luggage. For the Sport V6, it’s slightly less, at 403kg.

So in either guise you’ll have to pack carefully – and possibly consider putting some of your heavier gear in the caravan, assuming it can cope with it.

As you point out, either car will do the job, although the V6 will do it a lot more easily. So if you can stretch the budget then it’s the pick. See our tow test on the V6 Ford Everest.

Alternatives are also more expensive and bigger. Don’t even bother with a Toyota LandCruiser, because there’s almost no chance of getting one by next year.

A Nissan Patrol is a good option, though. Thirsty, yes, but big and punchy and with a decent payload. And over 10,000km of driving we reckon you’ll spend maybe $700 to $800 more in fuel than you would have in the Everest.

In the scheme of a trip like you’re talking about, we reckon that’s a pretty small hit on the budget.