Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Does anyone tow with a van? Stepdad has a VW Transporter T4. I know it can tow in theory but just wanted to know peoples experiences. Itll only be one horse in the box. Thanks!x
Anyone tow with a VAN?
- Thread starter Hazkirbo
- Start date
scats
Well-Known Member
In the 90s we used to tow our old trailer with a motor home...
ROG
Well-Known Member
On a B or B+E licence ? - if B+E then ignore this post
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
How did it drive? I bet that looked interesting😆 and stepdad has B+E hes had his licence over 25 years lol
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ROG
Well-Known Member
That means you can drive it on your B licence with him sitting next to you using L plates without the need to have him insured on it unless he actually drives it
scats
Well-Known Member
Ill try and find a picture- it was great fun. The length of the combined vehicles was ridiculous, but it was like having a fully kitted out horse box when we were at shows. Plus we could stay over.
We were quite the spectacle at the time!
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Its his van so hell probably just drive. Im only 18 so itd cost a fortune to have me insured😂
Does the whole towing with the T4 sound plausible? My horses safety is obviously paramount so I wouldnt want to do anything thats even slightly risky x
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Would love to see that! I bet well look a right picture too lol!
ROG
Well-Known Member
Sound ok + less wind drag on trailer
PapaverFollis
Well-Known Member
Does the weight of the tow vehicle not matter? I thought vans were a bit light to tow horses in trailers due to risk of "tail wagging the dog" effect?
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
It was an x-AA recovery van so its original use was for towing. Id just be worried that it isnt safe because of tail wagging the dog effect like papaverfollis said x
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
This is my main concern! I just wasnt sure how to describe it but youve hit the nail on the head. I would be keeping tack/water/food etc in the van but obviously my horse weighs more than that x
ROG
Well-Known Member
Cars and 4x4s are lighter than vans generally
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Im finding this whole trailer thing very frazzling!
When working out towing weight do I have to consider things in the van?
For example: it would just be my horse in the horsebox. All my tack/extras would be in the back of the van. Do I need to add this to the total towing capacity (think thats the MAM). And things like passengers?
Sorry if this makes me sound so dim but I want to be 100% certain all is safe and legal. Thanks all for your responses!
When working out towing weight do I have to consider things in the van?
For example: it would just be my horse in the horsebox. All my tack/extras would be in the back of the van. Do I need to add this to the total towing capacity (think thats the MAM). And things like passengers?
Sorry if this makes me sound so dim but I want to be 100% certain all is safe and legal. Thanks all for your responses!
ROG
Well-Known Member
Each have their own max weight limits as well as a total weight limit for both
What you put in the van goes for the van max weight limit or GVW
What you put in the trailer goes for the max trailer weight limit or MAM
The van will also list a max weight limit for both together or GTW
There is also a max towing limit for the van listed on the V5 keepers doc
Take each one at a time and ensure each has been complied with so it keeps things simple
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
ROG
Well-Known Member
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Thanks
Ive been looking at Ifor 405s (think a local company hires out!) as think the weight of trailer and horse adds up to about 1400kg. I know a company that hires out the big ifors but that would be pushing it because of the unladen weight. Thanks very much youve been so helpful x
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Its not uncommon for driving people to do it. Carriage in the van and horse in the trailer. I looked into it but decided against it as I wanted a towing car so we had a second car
FDLady
Well-Known Member
I do regularly. We use the landrovers for local and use a ford transit that has been converted into a camper if going for long distance or staying overnight - tows beautifully when you get a hang of the length of the two combined. Have also used a van before to carry a carriage but that was a mission and half. It unnerved me at the start that i couldnt see the trailer through the back so we have 2 camera's installed. One connects to see into the trailer and another at the hitch lock - never had any issues. If gets quite a few odd looks but it certainly does the job with luxury - no more awkward changes in the trailer and watery tea from the showgrounds.
As ROG said just check the limits but they're very capable of doing the job.
As ROG said just check the limits but they're very capable of doing the job.
Hazkirbo
Well-Known Member
Great! How does your transit cope in certain situations eg hills, bends and is there anything it struggles with?x
FDLady
Well-Known Member
You rarely even notice the trailer behind to be honest, im from the Fens though so cant really comment on what it would be like near long steep hills but we've never had any issues with what we have encountered on our travels. Very easy in comparison to some vehicles we've used. The total length is about the same as if you were going to tow a caravan so its very doable most places and as long as you count for it by using common sense you shouldnt have any issues. Ours regularly goes down tiny bendy single lanes to get to the yard with no problem. Only thing we find fun though is trying to hook up if you're by yourself - can be a bit of guesswork hence why we installed the camera aimed towards the hitchlock.