4x4 recommendations (only towing one horse)

AprilBlossom,

I agree with the others to disregard Pixiebee's comments - you don't need to be able to tow the gross weight of the trailer, just what you are actually carrying! It is a common misconception.

I also tow with the Kia Sorrento - love it. Mine is 07 plate and just flew through it's MOT with nil advisories. I hear the newer ones are really nice and 7 years warranty!!
It tows 3000kg (manual) or 3500kg (automatic). It has won all sorts of class and towing awards! & it is relatively cheap to buy and run (38 MPG).
 
The manufacturers TOWING CAPACITY is based on what the manufacturer has deemed safe and reliable for their vehicle to cope with

If they have set the bar too high then they would be getting sued and possibly prosecuted

What the manufacturers cannot do is make drivers use their vehicles as intended

If the weight of the horses, load and unladen trailer adds up to 2000 then a vehicle with a 2000 towing capacity will cope with it

There is no law which states that a towinc capacity cannot be exceeded but there are laws which the driver can be prosecuted for an unsafe combination but that needs to be proven in court

There is also no law or rule which states the MAM of the trailer cannot be more than the towing capacity of the vehicle
 
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ROG said:
The manufacturers TOWING CAPACITY is based on what the manufacturer has deemed safe and reliable for their vehicle to cope with

If they have set the bar too high then they would be getting sued and possibly prosecuted

What the manufacturers cannot do is make drivers use their vehicles as intended

If the weight of the horses, load and unladen trailer adds up to 2000 then a vehicle with a 2000 towing capacity will cope with it

There is no law which states that a towinc capacity cannot be exceeded but there are laws which the driver can be prosecuted for an unsafe combination but that needs to be proven in court
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Brilliantly informative as usual ROG :)
 
Becki1802 said:
AprilBlossom,

I agree with the others to disregard Pixiebee's comments - you don't need to be able to tow the gross weight of the trailer, just what you are actually carrying! It is a common misconception.

I also tow with the Kia Sorrento - love it. Mine is 07 plate and just flew through it's MOT with nil advisories. I hear the newer ones are really nice and 7 years warranty!!
It tows 3000kg (manual) or 3500kg (automatic). It has won all sorts of class and towing awards! & it is relatively cheap to buy and run (38 MPG).
Click to expand...

your saying to diregard my comments about towing well within capability but you yourself tow with a vehicle capable of towing 3.5 tonnes and are recommending it for towing? So how is that any different to what ive just said?
 
Pixiebee, you said you weren't responding to my OP in the first instance - therefore your comment had no relevance to my query regarding towing one horse in a specified trailer. Whilst I can't use the quote function on my phone, I do try and use the posters name I am replying to in order for my post to *try* and make sense.
Thank you to those of you who have been courteous and helpful, as I've said, much appreciated :)
 
pixiebee said:
your saying to diregard my comments about towing well within capability but you yourself tow with a vehicle capable of towing 3.5 tonnes and are recommending it for towing? So how is that any different to what ive just said?
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She might be towing the whole 3.5 tonnes for all you know? :confused: :confused:
 
I'll just say, I have a 03 plate X-trail sport, had it from new, it's done 150k miles, about half of it towing in some really rough conditions. Not only can I stop easily with a trailer full of sheep (around 1800kg), tow easily, manoeuvre smoothly etc, but I am on its first clutch and in all the years it has worked for me (harrowing the school and fields, towing stock, horse and water bowsers) it hasn't had ANYTHING major done to it and it only started to cost me to get it through MOT last year.
Modern towing cars are designed to tow their max weight, it's not only about weight, it's about all sorts of other technical things :D
 
Where as (my point) Pixiebee, you didn't reccomend anything to me - also, as the sorrento seems to be rated as economical and not too tax heavy it's a valid suggestion.
Please stop ruining my thread ;)
 
pixiebee said:
your saying to diregard my comments about towing well within capability but you yourself tow with a vehicle capable of towing 3.5 tonnes and are recommending it for towing? So how is that any different to what ive just said?
Click to expand...

Yes but I tow an Equitrek Showtreka L with a 500kg + 600Kg of horse hence needing 3000kg+!!! I'm answering OPs query of 4x4 recommendations and saying the Kia is a good tow car - reliable, economical and good at the job.

She could equally tow with something like a Freelander 2 with 2000kg as with one horse she is unlikely to be carrying more than about 1800kg!!! I say to disregard you comment of needing to be able to tow the gross laden weight of the trailer because if she will never tow with the trailer full she doesn't need it and is not towing illegally!
 
AprilBlossom said:
Where as (my point) Pixiebee, you didn't reccomend anything to me - also, as the sorrento seems to be rated as economical and not too tax heavy it's a valid suggestion.
Please stop ruining my thread ;)
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you want a recommendation, mitsubishi animal are very good towing vehicles, im not ruining your thread, i was merely trying to help, jeez talk about ungrateful.
 
We also looked at the Kia's as they look really smart (and obviously the Warranty on a Kia is frankly amazing!) and came across this thread http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=173646 which gave us some doubts- might be worth a read.
I do have a friend that tows with one (Old Ifor 505 with either a shetland, or a beautiful small built TB and only ever one at a time) and she loves it (she had a Warrior before and had nothing but problems with it) but she has also heard that the new (her's is 07 plate) Kia's have had some problems?? (not sure what though so don't quote me!!)
 
AprilBlossom said:
Where as (my point) Pixiebee, you didn't reccomend anything to me - also, as the sorrento seems to be rated as economical and not too tax heavy it's a valid suggestion.
Please stop ruining my thread ;)
Click to expand...

In addition to the Kia Sorrento, you could also look at the Hyundai Santa Fe (I am not sure if anyone's mentioned it as haven't read the whole thread in detail). I *think* it would be about the same cost wise and fuel consumption wise as the Kia and i believe have a pretty decent towing capacity. My friend had one (only towed a couple of ponies mind) but she lied it that much she has bought a newer model recently.

She was also advised by a 4X4 mechanic relative of hers to steer away from the Land Rovers as they spend more time in the workshop than on the road! He said to stick with your japanese/korean ones instead!!
 
golden_revolution said:
We also looked at the Kia's as they look really smart (and obviously the Warranty on a Kia is frankly amazing!) and came across this thread http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=173646 which gave us some doubts- might be worth a read.
I do have a friend that tows with one (Old Ifor 505 with either a shetland, or a beautiful small built TB and only ever one at a time) and she loves it (she had a Warrior before and had nothing but problems with it) but she has also heard that the new (her's is 07 plate) Kia's have had some problems?? (not sure what though so don't quote me!!)
Click to expand...

It's a shame this thread put you off as I haven't had a single problem and have met lots of other happy Kia owners (some of which have responded to their post). I had a jerking problem with an Ifor 510 and it was the damper on the trailer! maybe she had the tow hitch fitted at the wrong height.

I hope you find something you like - I love the Landrovers but I didn't have the budget for a newer one and age and mileage was important to me.
 
we have just swapped out 1996 disco for a 2003 jeep grand cherokee auto! and wow! towed trailer and 2 big horses effortlessly today!!
 
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