Any Freelander commercial/van owners?

B

Blitzen

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 June 2011
Messages
1,056
Visit site
Just after a bit of info r.e. Road tax :)
I'm after a small-ish towing vehicle, for towing a light trailer with a single horse, and have whittled my options down to either an Audi allroad, or a swb Freelander. I need space to chuck 2 large dogs in the back, so the commercial/van Freelander seems a better option than the swb 5-seater freelander (I don't need 5 seats anyway).
Only thing is, I can't seem to find any info about how much it is to tax them?
I'm looking for a 2.0l manual diesel, probably 2003-05 will be within my budget. Does anyone own one, and can tell me how much they are to tax/ vehicle tax band? Is it more than the 5-seater swb, as they are commercial vehicles?
Any info welcomed! Thanks! :)
 
If it is a van ie has no glass windows in the back, then it is normally classed as an LGV light goods and not as a PLG car, this means the tax is lower
If it has windows or the V5 says it is PLG then it will be in a VED band based on emissions.

eg 2003-2006 LGV tax (under 3.5 ton) would be £235 a year, whatever the model

if the one you go for is classed as a car then the model you choose will affect the tax band, but for example

2005 diesel manual Freelander 2, M5 model (the only one listed for 2005) would be £270pa.

Note that the LGV car tax tends to rise by about £5 a year, and is the same for all under 3.5T LGVs, whereas the car class PLG tax tends to be played around with more, and also varies by model as it is based on specific model emissions data.

In summary, I would budget for extra mirrors/reversing camera and see if the van type ones are classed as LGVs on their V5, seller will be able to tell you this.

I do agree with Owlie tho, I would NOT tow a horse with a freelander, not even sure if it is legal. Need Nissan X trail or above type vehicle for towing horse trailer safely IMO......
 
Look into insurance too.

Lots of insurance companies won't insure a commercial vehicle whether you're using commericially or not, so have to go to specialised companies or brokers. Very quick way of ramping insurance up.
 
PandorasJar said:
Look into insurance too.

Lots of insurance companies won't insure a commercial vehicle whether you're using commericially or not, so have to go to specialised companies or brokers. Very quick way of ramping insurance up.
Click to expand...

I've got a new Transit 2.2 diesel short wheel base low roof, I don't use it for trade (am a Saddler) only have my dogs in it and an electric mobility scooter for my Mum , private non trade insurance no problem and it's quite reasonable and on the same sort of level as my old 4x4's I've had in the past, some with smaller engines than the transit, some with larger.
It's a damn sight cheaper anyway to run (tax,fuel and insurance) than the 4x4's and the VW camper we have just sold
You can get a 4x4 transit now too!
Oz
 
cremedemonthe said:
I've got a new Transit 2.2 diesel short wheel base low roof, I don't use it for trade (am a Saddler) only have my dogs in it and an electric mobility scooter for my Mum , private non trade insurance no problem and it's quite reasonable and on the same sort of level as my old 4x4's I've had in the past, some with smaller engines than the transit, some with larger.
It's a damn sight cheaper anyway to run (tax,fuel and insurance) than the 4x4's and the VW camper we have just sold
You can get a 4x4 transit now too!
Oz
Click to expand...

I can't get insurance through several normal companies for van and pick-up (not used commercially) simply because of the type of vehicle.

Toyota Hilux I could get on any policy for not much more than dinky car. Nissan navara, could I hell, almost a grand more expensive and most wouldn't touch it. I always check for the exact vehicle I'm buying before putting the money down.
 
PandorasJar said:
I can't get insurance through several normal companies for van and pick-up (not used commercially) simply because of the type of vehicle.

Toyota Hilux I could get on any policy for not much more than dinky car. Nissan navara, could I hell, almost a grand more expensive and most wouldn't touch it. I always check for the exact vehicle I'm buying before putting the money down.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right, I couldn't get insurance through ordinary insurers either even though I don't use it commercially, the insurance I use now (can't remember for the life of me the name of it) is a dedicated van insurance and I found them very reasonable, cost the same as my 4x4's insurance roughly and they were insured through ordinary insurers (elephant.co.uk)
 
I cant emphasise enough the towing weights.

Really do check them out..doesnt matter if you have small horse or not..what ever your trailer can legally carry...ie 3500 means your vehicle must be capable also.

A chap brought his wifes cob to a place i use in a top notch bmw 5 series...with a 505 ifor williams in tow. Police followed him in and made him un hitch and not go back on road without the correct vehicle. Cost him a nights livery and the hassle of borrowing a friends 4x4 to get the horse home.

Be aware.
 
PandorasJar said:
Look into insurance too.

Lots of insurance companies won't insure a commercial vehicle whether you're using commericially or not, so have to go to specialised companies or brokers. Very quick way of ramping insurance up.
Click to expand...

I do agree you wont necess be able to go to just any old insurer - BUT - dont agree that it makes it more expensive - our Landy costs a lot less than our car - we use NFU and have multiple cars on one policy but it was still cheaper even when we didnt.

So it takes a bit more legwork, but Ive found it cheaper with a commercial. If our landy had windows and seats in the back we would be paying £00s more car tax as well.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone :)
Can I ask why you wouldn't tow with a freelander? I know a few people who do with no problems, in fact I know of someone whose freelander merrily tows 2 horses (tb types) in an Ifor 505 and it has never struggled, even over the wolds and off road! My trailer weighs 750kg unladen (and MAM is being downplated for B licence towing), horse weighs around 520kg on a good day ;) I wouldn't be attempting anything adventurous, just steady towing to local venues for SJ and local shows in the summer, no further than 20 miles for any of them. I am considering the Freelander as it seems the most economical for day to day use, is within the weights for B licence towing, and because I know a few people who love theirs!
Looks like I may be going back to the drawing board!
:(
 
as far as I am aware (when I looked it up as an option when last changing car) a Freelander's tow capacity is 2t. My trailer is also 750kg and I would use it to tow one horse. There are often strong opinions on what is a suitable car/ 4X4, I also read an article in one of the Your horse type magazines a while ago and I'm not sure they had the freelander on but they did have the new Kia Sportage(smaller 4x4 not the big one) as an option for towing up to 2t (similar type car to the freelander).
 
Blitzen said:
Thanks for the replies everyone :)
Can I ask why you wouldn't tow with a freelander? I know a few people who do with no problems, in fact I know of someone whose freelander merrily tows 2 horses (tb types) in an Ifor 505 and it has never struggled, even over the wolds and off road! My trailer weighs 750kg unladen (and MAM is being downplated for B licence towing), horse weighs around 520kg on a good day ;) I wouldn't be attempting anything adventurous, just steady towing to local venues for SJ and local shows in the summer, no further than 20 miles for any of them. I am considering the Freelander as it seems the most economical for day to day use, is within the weights for B licence towing, and because I know a few people who love theirs!
Looks like I may be going back to the drawing board!
:(
Click to expand...
Rog is best one to ask about legal side of things.
There is a bit of a misconception about towing and weights and what is legal. I used to have a commercial terrano, road tax was a lot cheaper commercial than normal car but was a pain for insurance. I used Adrian flux for insurance as they put it under 4x4 rather than van which worked out cheaper.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top