Another trailer/towing question

J

joben

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 August 2006
Messages
63
Location
Dorset
Visit site
What is the lightest 2 horse trailer available to house one 16.2hh 560kg horse? i've seen lots of debate on here about how Freelanders are not up to the job, but last weekend i towed my horse (combined wt 1700kg) with a freelander and it felt fine. Has anyone got anty positive Freelander towing stories? Also do you think a honda CVR will tow as well?
 
Do you have the diesel or petrol freelander??
We have a discovery which I always tow with (I have an Ivor Williams 505). We then bought an older petrol freelander to use as a second towing vehicle as my husband often needs to tow motorbikes on trailors. To be honest ...the freelander scares me and I would nt dream of trying to tow with it....but perhaps I was spoiled with the discovery..lol.I t handles like a bag of poo"!!!
However I have heard that the newer diesel models are much better.
Having said that...it lloks like my towing days are over as we are now horseless!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Bateson Derby trailer is the lightest I have found, it weighs 675kg unladen and takes two horses, though it is rear unload only.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just what I was going to say. It is a small trailer though, especially widthwise. But for finer types its fine.
 
Well, I have a Freelander, an Ifor Williams 510 and a Horse weighing about 560KG. I also have a Mercedes sprinter van and I tow with that. I have towed the trailer empty with the Freelander and that was enough, I love the Freelander, but, it's max tow weight is 1800KG and that's less than the Gross vehicle weight (in my opinion, that's what you should go by anyway - my van is 3500KG). Freelander is really just a big car and it can't be doing it any favours towing as heavy a weight as that. My van is designed to haul a heavy load and it's as big as the trailer.
To be safe and sensible, your vehicle should be heavier than what you tow or at least the same weight, no matter what your maufacturer says. Power isn't all that matters. At 1700KG you are just under what Landrover says is safe. However, like I said I towed mine empty with my Freelander and I really could feel the trailers influence. I have a lot of towing and HGV experience though so I do err on the side of caution....mainly because I've seen what can go wrong and because there are so many nutters on the road. With towing....it aint worth the risk. All it takes is a lorry to ovetake you, your trailers brakes to fail or a strong wind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top