4x4 recommendations (only towing one horse)

AprilBlossom

AprilBlossom

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So, am looking at getting a 4x4 instead of the BMW 1 series we have - looked at an X3 initially but very slow and tractor-y, and only capable of 1800kg which would be cutting it fine with a big WB in an ifor 505 (I've done a bit of homework here!).

Now for the tricky part - OH loves the freelander 2 because its 'pretty' (girl) whilst I think an x trail would be best value for money. Any suggestions for a versatile option that'll be equally happy spending majority of time on road, but could tow etc on occasion, and has some 'luxury' spec to keep oh happy?
Budget up to 15k, thanks!


(PS I know there are probably 50 other threads like this but 'car' 'one' '505' 'tow' 4x4' are all deemed to short to search with! :D)
 
we bought the kia sorrento in 2003 when it first came out , it was fabulous!! towed two horses all over the country effortlessley , had all the top specs including abs , climate control , heated seats , leather interior , it also had independent traction which meant we were never stuck , even when landies had to give up and accept a tow .
we only sold it 7 years later as we now need to travel 3 horses to comps , so bought a lorry
 
Thanks maggiehorse, but as I only need to tow one would a sorrento be unnecessarily fuel-consumptive and large? I've not looked at them at all I have to say.

Did look at the Lexus hybrid 4x4 yesterday which is a little larger than we'd thought of going for actually but does do around 30mpg if driven properly.

OH did fall in love with a 07 plate disco but it's just going to be too costly to run with tax and fuel erc factored in.

Ideally I want to keep the tax under or around the £250 a year mark, which tends to rule out the biggies.
 
I personally wouldn't tow with a freelander, when we bought our pony (13.1) the seller towed him over - she drove for 30 mins and you could really smell that engine. She said she would only use it for emergencies.

I am also looking at the moment but have a smaller budget (6-8k) and am thinking a Kia Sorento.
 
Billylula, is that a freelander 1 or 2 you mean? I know the 1 is bleddy awful but I was under the impression the 2 has been completely reworked and far more superior a car?
 
I have an X-trail and use it to tow and 16h that will only travel by himself. Tows excellently and is reasonably economical compared to most 4 by 4's. Drives well and accellerates nicely. Would definetley recommend it.
 
wouldnt tow with a freelander on a x-trail to be honest, they are more designed for towing caravans and trailer tents! you will get through a million gear boxes/clutches and it snot just the physical pulling something, think about your ability to brake in time in emergencies, possibilty of having to take a different route with an unexpected steep incline/decline. It has to come to a safety factor, and I get annoyed when i hear people say it tows so its fine, not factoring in any safety issues. Sorry to say this, but ideally you will need to get a bigger 4x4 with more expensive tax if you want to tow safely.
 
So even something with a 2000kg limit? When I'd be towing a max of about 1700kg?

Should I just resign myself to either having to stump up the tax on something that tows 3.5t if I want a horse box on the back then? Appreciate the responses.
 
Ive been towing one or two small horses with our Nissan Xtrail sport 2.2 dci for 4/5 years now and no issues. Very ecomomical and doesnt suffer the 400 quid tax smack every year. ;) :cool:

We are trading it in for the new model next year. Love it and gets very good mileage both towing and in 2 wheel drive. Would highly recommend them as a towing car :D

Having also tow with the previous model freelander I had NO issues with it at al l:) It was a 2ltr Diesel model and towed our 505 with 500kg horse no bother in and out of fields bigger 4x4 were getting stuck in.
 
pixiebee said:
wouldnt tow with a freelander on a x-trail to be honest, they are more designed for towing caravans and trailer tents! you will get through a million gear boxes/clutches and it snot just the physical pulling something, think about your ability to brake in time in emergencies, possibilty of having to take a different route with an unexpected steep incline/decline. It has to come to a safety factor, and I get annoyed when i hear people say it tows so its fine, not factoring in any safety issues. Sorry to say this, but ideally you will need to get a bigger 4x4 with more expensive tax if you want to tow safely.
Click to expand...

I think this is tosh I'm afraid pb.

A lightweight trailer and one horse with an x-trail is no different to a heavy trailer with two big horses and a Disco.

Braking capability is all about the weight ratio. A lighter car with a lighter load is no different from a heavier car with a heavier load. It's the ratio that is important.
 
jesstickle said:
I think this is tosh I'm afraid pb.

A lightweight trailer and one horse with an x-trail is no different to a heavy trailer with two big horses and a Disco.

Braking capability is all about the weight ratio. A lighter car with a lighter load is no different from a heavier car with a heavier load. It's the ratio that is important.
Click to expand...

AHMEN. Honestly dont understand this tripe about needing a massive thirsty brute of a car to tow with. Just sillyness IMO. Yes theres safety but one horse at max say 700kgs for a big WB in a 505 is 905kgs + 700kgs =1605kgs to me doesnt require a 3.5t tomwing capacity ;)
 
Black Beastie said:
Ive been towing one or two small horses with our Nissan Xtrail sport 2.2 dci for 4/5 years now and no issues. Very ecomomical and doesnt suffer the 400 quid tax smack every year. ;) :cool:

We are trading it in for the new model next year. Love it and gets very good mileage both towing and in 2 wheel drive. Would highly recommend them as a towing car :D

Having also tow with the previous model freelander I had NO issues with it at al l:) It was a 2ltr Diesel model and towed our 505 with 500kg horse no bother in and out of fields bigger 4x4 were getting stuck in.
Click to expand...

copied this:

Examples
Horses: 15hh m/w @ 500kg + 16.3hh TB @ 600kg = combined weight 1100kg
Trailer: Ifor Williams 510 @ unladen 1000kg; MAM 2700kg (fine with above horse combination)

Horses + Trailer gross weight = 2100kg

Illegal:
Vehicle: Mitsubishi Outlander with a Maximum towing capacity of 2000kg
This vehicle does not have the authorised towing capacity to tow the gross weight of the horses and the trailer.

Legal:
Vehicle: Landrover Discovery with a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg
This vehicle is well within the capacity needed to tow these horses with this trailer.

you are meant to tow well within your limit not AT or over the limit! So sounds like you have been at least at your limit as the xtrail 2.2 has a max limit of 2000kg
 
This is what I thought but as a newbie to it all who am I to question PB?
The land rover dealership said when selling to horsey people they say a freelander 2 can do one horse but they'd always advise a disco for two.

I'm glad to see votes for the x trail. Just need one with all the gadgets and trimmings in the hope OH will get over himself and the 'that x trail is ugly' view *rollseyes*
 
Black Beastie said:
AHMEN. Honestly dont understand this tripe about needing a massive thirsty brute of a car to tow with. Just sillyness IMO. Yes theres safety but one horse at max say 700kgs for a big WB in a 505 is 905kgs + 700kgs =1605kgs to me doesnt require a 3.5t tomwing capacity ;)
Click to expand...


really? well i wouldnt want to meet you on the road when you struggle to stop in time or up a steep incline. Much better to be well within limits and not struggle than struggle, sorry but I value other road users and my horses life too. Copied:


Considerations
So, you know the weight of your fully laden horse trailer and / or your towing vehicle's maximum towing weight, and the combination seems fine from a legal perspective. Before you hit the road, however, you should bear in mind the following:

Have you remembered to allow for extra weight that will be in the horse trailer, including tack and equipment, feed, water etc. in your calculations? All need to be added to the combined weight of your largest horses.

How close is the weight of your fully laden trailer (including above 'extras') to your towing vehicle's max. towing weight? If it's exactly on or just under it may sound legal, but from a safety perspective would be reckless. Allow a decent margin, i.e. at least a couple of hundred kilograms, to be safe rather than sorry.

4x4 vs. normal cars - depending on how you use your horse trailer, it may be worth considering a 4x4 vehicle; this can be really helpful when trying to get onto & off muddy show grounds and for those horrible hill starts!

For extra stability while towing horse trailers, it may be worth considering purchasing a vehicle that has self-levelling rear suspension.
 
OP wants to tow ONE horse. ONE horse is going to be about 600kg. The trailer is going to be, at most, 1000KG (mine is significantly less)

So weight is 1600kg. X-trail tows 2000kg. No where near the limit? :confused:

Why do you think she needs a car with a 3.5 tonne limit?

Even taking into account a person (60kg) a bit of water and a saddle she is still well within her limits.

My trailer weighs 860KG and my horse is under 500KG. Again, why do you think I need to tow with a Disco? At the absolute most I have 1600kg to tow and that includes me, tack, water and another person if I want them to come.

One horse, lightweight trailer, X-trail. No problem!
 
Last edited:
pixiebee said:
copied this:

Examples
Horses: 15hh m/w @ 500kg + 16.3hh TB @ 600kg = combined weight 1100kg
Trailer: Ifor Williams 510 @ unladen 1000kg; MAM 2700kg (fine with above horse combination)

Horses + Trailer gross weight = 2100kg

Illegal:
Vehicle: Mitsubishi Outlander with a Maximum towing capacity of 2000kg
This vehicle does not have the authorised towing capacity to tow the gross weight of the horses and the trailer.

Legal:
Vehicle: Landrover Discovery with a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg
This vehicle is well within the capacity needed to tow these horses with this trailer.

you are meant to tow well within your limit not AT or over the limit! So sounds like you have been at least at your limit as the xtrail 2.2 has a max limit of 2000kg
Click to expand...

My xtrail has a 2200kgs limit being a 173hp ;) My pony is 470kgs on the weight tape and the TB is about 500kgs if he is luck being very finely built so that woul be 970 + 905kgs for my unladen trailer = 1875kgs - 2200kgs = 375kgs OR if a standard model then 125kgs left over :)

ONE horse is what the OP is wanting to tow so there for even if the horse weighed as much as the trailer (505) then it would be LEGAL with a Xtrail even not the 173hp ;)
 
jesstickle said:
OP wants to tow ONE horse. ONE horse is going to be about 600kg. The trailer is going to be, at most, 1000KG (mine is significantly less)

So weight is 1600kg. X-trail tows 2000kg. No where near the limit? :confused:

Why do you think she needs a car with a 3.5 tonne limit?
Click to expand...

where on earth did you get 3.5 tonne limit from? could you please quote the point in which I said that?

I was actually responsing to the poster that towed 2 horses with an x-trail. I also know someone that towed with an xtrail and knackered both her clutch and suspension on her car.
 
Ok so I'll go for a disco in order to allow for a (literal) TON of extra stuff I want to take...up the road to a local show or to friends yard for a hack...lol
 
pixiebee said:
where on earth did you get 3.5 tonne limit from? could you please quote the point in which I said that?

I was actually responsing to the poster that towed 2 horses with an x-trail. I also know someone that towed with an xtrail and knackered both her clutch and suspension on her car.
Click to expand...


Ok. Fine ignore 3.5 tonne part.

I stand by my maths in the worked examples I gave. No need for anything bigger than an X-trail for one horse.

And I know plenty of people who've knackered the clutches on their Discos and Fourtraks towing too. What's your point?
 
pixiebee said:
really? well i wouldnt want to meet you on the road when you struggle to stop in time or up a steep incline. Much better to be well within limits and not struggle than struggle, sorry but I value other road users and my horses life too. Copied:


Considerations
So, you know the weight of your fully laden horse trailer and / or your towing vehicle's maximum towing weight, and the combination seems fine from a legal perspective. Before you hit the road, however, you should bear in mind the following:

Have you remembered to allow for extra weight that will be in the horse trailer, including tack and equipment, feed, water etc. in your calculations? All need to be added to the combined weight of your largest horses.

How close is the weight of your fully laden trailer (including above 'extras') to your towing vehicle's max. towing weight? If it's exactly on or just under it may sound legal, but from a safety perspective would be reckless. Allow a decent margin, i.e. at least a couple of hundred kilograms, to be safe rather than sorry.

4x4 vs. normal cars - depending on how you use your horse trailer, it may be worth considering a 4x4 vehicle; this can be really helpful when trying to get onto & off muddy show grounds and for those horrible hill starts!

For extra stability while towing horse trailers, it may be worth considering purchasing a vehicle that has self-levelling rear suspension.
Click to expand...

I honestly dont get WHY meeting me on the road would be an issue??? The car is legal within limits and alot has to be taken into consideration about your driving, if your driving like an idiot at the speed limit towing then fair enough take what you get. I dont however and take great care but if you want to get personal about it then feel free, not going to bother me as in 4/5 years havent had anywhere NEAR an accident OR issue so will take the proof from the pudding rather than legislation that changes year on year ;)

OP wants to tow ONE HORSE
 
We have an Ifor 510, two horse (one 15hh stocky connemara and a 15.2hh Welsh X TB) and tow with a Jeep Cherokee (the short wheel base), 2.8ltr Automatic and it is perfect.
Pulls like a dream, doesn't guzzle fuel (in fact mum has just got rid of her Ford Focus and is using the Jeep all the time now as is very economical)....

They did stop making them in 2010? (I think) so we have had to shop around for a newer one (just got a 08 that has done 25k) but before that we had an 05 which had done 70k and still ran like a dream!!

They are (for a SWB) heavy, sturdy and well up to towing limit (weight wise), plus easy to manouvere and drive around every day (car parks etc!!)...

I did want an XTrail for years before it, but was told that they weren't up to weight??
 
No worries! It was on the forecort (Westaway Motors, Northampton) for £10k but we PartEx'd our old Jeep for it...It is a Ltd Ed one though and had already got the TowBAr, Dog Guard, Built in Sat Nav, Leather Seats, Chrome fittings, Door steps etc etc (everything my mum will NEVER use!!!)

They were incredibly helpful there though and more than happy to seach for others if we didn't want that one etc- highly recommended!!

She loves it and it is so 'easy' to drive!!
 
AprilBlossom said:
And also, thanks for completely confusing and then subsequently ignoring me pixiebee.
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excuse me??? I was not going to respond to your childish landrover comment, I never said you had to tow with a landrover for one horse, I simply said its probably safer not to tow with an x-trail. I was actually trying to help. I have seen people use smaller twoing vehicles and have issues, in fact, we have had to pull people trailers up hills when their vehicle couldnt get up them at shows, we have also had to pull people off showgrounds. I would hate that to happen to you. Sorry I wont bother trying to help, do what the hell you like quite frankly.
 
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