Towing Stability S212 220/250/350

[AB24]

Hi all, first post here but long time forum user across the 20 odd cars I've had since 2002.

I currently have a 146k 2010 Discovery 4 which over the last year has caused me no real trouble and is a fantastic thing right up until you tax or refuel it.

I'm looking at an S212, likely a 2013+ model, probably with 100-150k on the clock, ideally a sport/AMG spec due to the below mentioned stability research?

I've read great reviews from the caravan sites regarding their towing ability but equally have read some people say they're very unstable, especially if soft sidewall tyres are fitted. Is there anything concrete on this? Love the look of the car but don't want to make an expensive mistake.

Maybe the extra nose weight of the V6 would balance things out more but equally the balance of running costs Vs mpg if the 250 appeals.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Most caravan instability comes from the van .....not the car. Too heavy for the car (over 85% of kerb), badly loaded, low/uneven tyre pressures, etc etc. Most caravan instability can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated, by making sure the nose weight is right up to the cars max. For stable towing you should be treating the cars nose weight as a target rather than a limit....but don't go over of course..

 

[AB24]

That was my conclusion, the reports of instability that I could find only mentioned swapping brands of tyres and it becoming a problem then swapping back to continentals and being ok again. Doesn't mean it wasn't simply masking an issue in loading.

Saw a white one this morning, am pretty certain it's what I want, the 250 being the one I probably need.

 

[ceejay]

I tow 2500kg of powerboat with an E350cdi, its absolutely rock steady. As others have said, having enough nose weight is essential.
And it is a Witter towbar which is rated at 2500kg for those that are going to say it is over the limit...

 

[ALFAitalia]

It is over the limit... towing over kerb weight is not clever, legal or not.....and look in your insurance small print too.... many, but not all, insurance companies won't cover you for towing things heavier than the kerb weight of the car.....or your cars max tow weight, whichever is lower. If one of my customers wants to tow a caravan out of my gates that weighs more than their car they have to sign a disclaimer saying we advised them not to.

 

[Benzowner]

I tow 2500kg of powerboat with an E350cdi, its absolutely rock steady. As others have said, having enough nose weight is essential.
And it is a Witter towbar which is rated at 2500kg for those that are going to say it is over the limit...

I assume you have the +E on your license, if not you are braking the law. My daughter drives 32 tonne lorries as part of her job, but does not have the +E on her car license so could not drive your set up.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Everyone has B + E when you pass your car test now. They stopped all that towing license nonsense after Covid. Unless you daughter passed after 97 and has not replaced her licence since about Dec 2021....in which case she should replace it and the B+E will appear.