Towing

We tow our caravan with a Ford Mondeo diesel six-speed automatic and, to use an English saying, "It's great motor". So for the reader who asked about a manual for towing, the Mondeo auto lever can be shifted sideways to be used as a manual. I've only used it a couple of times as the auto is such a good box.

I was wondering if you had any news on the Toyota HiLux update. I contacted Toyota and they gave me nothing. I am going to upgrade my current HiLux and was considering the Holden Colorado but I may wait if the HiLux is getting a power upgrade. Also, my last three utes have been manuals and I was wondering if modern autos are up to towing, as I have a 1.5-tonne van.

I have a Toyota 100 Series LandCruiser and I'm thinking about updating. So, can you advise me between a LandCruiser 200 Series or a Land Rover Discovery diesel? I'll be towing a 2.8-tonne van and doing off-road use, say on the Canning Stock Route, Birdsville Track or Simpson Desert.

My 2007 Mazda BT-50 ute had a very smelly clutch problem after reversing a 16-foot caravan. Mazda denied a problem, but changed the clutch on a friend's BT-50 with the same problem. I received no reply when I tried to communicate with them. What can I do?

What is the maximum I can tow with my 1986 BMW 325e coupe?

I want to install electric brakes to my 2013 Ford Kuga Trend Diesel to enable me to tow a camper caravan weighing more than 750kg and less than 1500kg. I had an auto electrician install an electric brake controller, but something went horribly wrong with the installation and it now looks like the vehicle computer has been 'fried'. I had checked with specs of the vehicle and they stated the vehicle could tow up to 1500kg with brakes. Ford is now telling me that electric brakes cannot be installed on my vehicle. What can I do?

What's your advice on which car to buy for towing a 21-foot caravan around Australia? I would like to spend around $40,000, but this may be hard as from my research it's either a LandCruiser or a Jeep Grand Cherokee, as we need a towing capacity of 3500kg.

I drive a Holden VE SV6 sedan and like the ability to overtake vehicles safely and efficiently with the 210kW of power. I also tow and launch a boat, with a lot of difficulty, off the bank at my caravan park on Lake Eildon. I am looking at buying a 4WD vehicle to make the task easier but I am in a dilemma whether to get a petrol or diesel engine, given the difference between their power outputs. I would still like to maintain the acceleration for overtaking, when I am not towing or launching the boat.

I have a caravan with a 3.5-tonne ATM. Can you recommend a ute that can tow 3500 kg, has a decent payload, and is going to be reliable?

I would like your opinion on the wisdom of installing a tow bar on a new VW Polo 77TSI DSG to tow an unbraked trailer weighing in at the max towing capacity of 530kg. While the dealer reckons there are no issues as there is a factory tow kit, I am a little concerned at the long term fragility of the DSG 'box.