bu_apple
Well-Known Member
I just wondered if there are any estate cars that are legal and safe to tow a lightweight trailer and one horse?
Are any estate cars safe to tow with?
- Thread starter bu_apple
- Start date
jcberry
Well-Known Member
we tow with a peugeot 307sw and it pulls our heavy rice with one horse in fine
laura02
Member
My dad pulls my 16.2 ID X WB in a rice trailer( the old type) with a Volvo 640 (I think), and it pulls it without a problem =)
laura02
Member
My dad pulls my 16.2 ID X WB in a rice trailer( the old type) with a Volvo 640 (I think), and it pulls it without a problem
ironhorse
Well-Known Member
Volvo XC70 (4WD) tows an Ifor with ONE chunky horse in really well. Would not tow two with it.
Darkly_Dreaming_Dex
Well-Known Member
Subaru Legacys are fab and have 4 wheel drive for sticky grass! I have towed happily my Rice eventer with a 16.2hh and a friends Subaru Forester pulls an Ifor 505 with 2 15-16hh up.
Slinkyunicorn
Well-Known Member
Subaru's
Persephone
Well-Known Member
I have a 5 series BMW touring 4.4L to tow my lightweight trailer and one 550kg horse.
Cop-Pop
Well-Known Member
We pull an old Rice trailer with our Renault Scenic MPV (older model) with the pony in but I won't pull the the trailer with the horse in as she tips the weight over the legal limit.
eriskaypony
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Volvo XC70 (4WD) tows an Ifor with ONE chunky horse in really well. Would not tow two with it.
[/ QUOTE ]
We tow a 505 with 2 ponies (11.2 & 12.2) with ease.
Volvo XC70 (4WD) tows an Ifor with ONE chunky horse in really well. Would not tow two with it.
[/ QUOTE ]
We tow a 505 with 2 ponies (11.2 & 12.2) with ease.
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
Merc E300, Bateson and small ponies.
Fazermum
Active Member
Legally it doesn't really matter weather the car will pull the trailer or not
There is a legal requirement, the unladen weight of the towing vehicle MUST weigh more than (and I think there is an actually percentage here) the fully laden weight of the trailer - whether you have anything in the trailer or not.
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
perfect11s
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Legally it doesn't really matter weather the car will pull the trailer or not
There is a legal requirement, the unladen weight of the towing vehicle MUST weigh more than (and I think there is an actually percentage here) the fully laden weight of the trailer - whether you have anything in the trailer or not.
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
[/ QUOTE ]
Bo... x IT IS WHAT THE CAR MANUFACTUER RECOMENDS AS THE MAX WEIGHT THAT MATERS not the cars weight V trailer that is just a guide...
Legally it doesn't really matter weather the car will pull the trailer or not
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
[/ QUOTE ]
Bo... x IT IS WHAT THE CAR MANUFACTUER RECOMENDS AS THE MAX WEIGHT THAT MATERS not the cars weight V trailer that is just a guide...
cp1980
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Legally it doesn't really matter weather the car will pull the trailer or not
There is a legal requirement, the unladen weight of the towing vehicle MUST weigh more than (and I think there is an actually percentage here) the fully laden weight of the trailer - whether you have anything in the trailer or not.
[/ QUOTE ]
The only legal requirement is that the total weight that the trailer is rated for (it's gross vehicle weight GVW, also called max authorised mass - MAM) should not exceed the towing limit of the car.
The towing limit of the car is set by the manufacturer, based on tests. The standard test in europe is the weight it can pull, from a hill start on a 12% gradient at sea level.
The MAM or GVW of the trailer is what is stamped on the manufacturer's plate near the towing hitch. This limit is based on the design limits of the various parts. The weight of the empty trailer + the weight of what you put in the trailer should not be more than this MAM figure.
Note: Even if the actual weight of the trailer and your horse is less than the towing limit of your car, then you could be breaking the law if the MAM weight stamped on the side is more than the car's towing limit. Sounds silly, because it's just numbers. Good news is that you can have your trailer down-rated to make it 100% legal for just a few quid (you get a new manufacturer's plate- Ifor W and Bateson both offer this service).
[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is a rule of thumb* that the weight you pull should not be more than 85% of the empty weight of the car. This is not a legal requirement and seems not to count for 4x4 vehicles (which is silly as wheel traction has little to do with stability) and was devised in an age when people drove Ford Anglias and Morris Minors. Modern cars will have better suspension and brakes. However, the lighter you can have your towing weight, the easier it will be.
*mainly touted by the caravan lobby who pull great big massive things that blow over in high winds.
In the past decade and a half cars have become bigger and heavier. A modern VW Golf estate is heavier and more robust than the large estates of my youth, such as Ford Sierra estates.
They have better brakes and better suspension.
A larger 4x4 does offer some more weight than a conventional car to absorb forces from the trailer and they can more tractive force because they have four wheels working rather than 2.
But don't forget that a Freelander will weight about 1500 kg empty, whereas the aforementioned Golf Estate or a Peugeot 307 estate will weigh 1400 kg empty. Hardy much difference.
And even if you follow the 85 % rule (which is sensible) you can still tow 1200 kg. That is the weight of single horse trailer with a 15.2hh horse in it.
Legally it doesn't really matter weather the car will pull the trailer or not
[/ QUOTE ]
The only legal requirement is that the total weight that the trailer is rated for (it's gross vehicle weight GVW, also called max authorised mass - MAM) should not exceed the towing limit of the car.
The towing limit of the car is set by the manufacturer, based on tests. The standard test in europe is the weight it can pull, from a hill start on a 12% gradient at sea level.
The MAM or GVW of the trailer is what is stamped on the manufacturer's plate near the towing hitch. This limit is based on the design limits of the various parts. The weight of the empty trailer + the weight of what you put in the trailer should not be more than this MAM figure.
Note: Even if the actual weight of the trailer and your horse is less than the towing limit of your car, then you could be breaking the law if the MAM weight stamped on the side is more than the car's towing limit. Sounds silly, because it's just numbers. Good news is that you can have your trailer down-rated to make it 100% legal for just a few quid (you get a new manufacturer's plate- Ifor W and Bateson both offer this service).
[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure there will be other forum users out there that know what the percentage weight ratio should be, otherwise try and search for the information on-line.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is a rule of thumb* that the weight you pull should not be more than 85% of the empty weight of the car. This is not a legal requirement and seems not to count for 4x4 vehicles (which is silly as wheel traction has little to do with stability) and was devised in an age when people drove Ford Anglias and Morris Minors. Modern cars will have better suspension and brakes. However, the lighter you can have your towing weight, the easier it will be.
*mainly touted by the caravan lobby who pull great big massive things that blow over in high winds.
In the past decade and a half cars have become bigger and heavier. A modern VW Golf estate is heavier and more robust than the large estates of my youth, such as Ford Sierra estates.
They have better brakes and better suspension.
A larger 4x4 does offer some more weight than a conventional car to absorb forces from the trailer and they can more tractive force because they have four wheels working rather than 2.
But don't forget that a Freelander will weight about 1500 kg empty, whereas the aforementioned Golf Estate or a Peugeot 307 estate will weigh 1400 kg empty. Hardy much difference.
And even if you follow the 85 % rule (which is sensible) you can still tow 1200 kg. That is the weight of single horse trailer with a 15.2hh horse in it.
palomino698
Well-Known Member
This website has some useful data on vehicle weights and what the 85% ratio works out to. It is generally recommended for safety reasons that the total weight of the laden trailer should not exceed 85% of the vehicle's kerbweight.
http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm
The manufacturers recommended maximum weight is NOT allowing for the fact that livestock makes any load inherently unstable, even if they are 'tightly' fitted into a partitioned trailer. Coming down a hill one wet windy day (or worse, night) with a horse trying to chuck itself around is not a good time to find you've overestimated your towcar's ability to keep the combination in a straight line and come to a halt before it turns over.
http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm
The manufacturers recommended maximum weight is NOT allowing for the fact that livestock makes any load inherently unstable, even if they are 'tightly' fitted into a partitioned trailer. Coming down a hill one wet windy day (or worse, night) with a horse trying to chuck itself around is not a good time to find you've overestimated your towcar's ability to keep the combination in a straight line and come to a halt before it turns over.
suzysparkle
Well-Known Member
Legally, you go by the max tow weight as stated by the manufacturer. Ideally, the trailer shouldn't be heavier than the vehicle.
PS Subaru Forester most models are limited to 1500KG (a couple are 1800KG or 2000KG). Even at 2000KG, 2 X 16hh Horses + gear will be over this. If it's a 1500KG one then even one Horse in a 505 is pushing it.
PS Subaru Forester most models are limited to 1500KG (a couple are 1800KG or 2000KG). Even at 2000KG, 2 X 16hh Horses + gear will be over this. If it's a 1500KG one then even one Horse in a 505 is pushing it.
cp1980
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Coming down a hill one wet windy day (or worse, night) with a horse trying to chuck itself around is not a good time to find you've overestimated your towcar's ability
[/ QUOTE ]
This is very true.
I would add that slow and careful driving, a well serviced trailer and using common sense are very important factors to take into consideration.
Coming down a hill one wet windy day (or worse, night) with a horse trying to chuck itself around is not a good time to find you've overestimated your towcar's ability
[/ QUOTE ]
This is very true.
I would add that slow and careful driving, a well serviced trailer and using common sense are very important factors to take into consideration.
perfect11s
Well-Known Member
[/ QUOTE ]
The only legal requirement is that the total weight that the trailer is rated for (it's gross vehicle weight GVW, also called max authorised mass - MAM) should not exceed the towing limit of the car.
The towing limit of the car is set by the manufacturer, based on tests. The standard test in europe is the weight it can pull, from a hill start on a 12% gradient at sea level.
The MAM or GVW of the trailer is what is stamped on the manufacturer's plate near the towing hitch. This limit is based on the design limits of the various parts. The weight of the empty trailer + the weight of what you put in the trailer should not be more than this MAM figure.
Note: Even if the actual weight of the trailer and your horse is less than the towing limit of your car, then you could be breaking the law if the MAM weight stamped on the side is more than the car's towing limit. Sounds silly, because it's just numbers. Good news is that you can have your trailer down-rated to make it 100% legal for just a few quid (you get a new manufacturer's plate- Ifor W and Bateson both offer this service).
Im realy curious where this keeps coming from the dept for transport web site says quote, in the case of light trailers ie under 3500kg there is no relationship in uk law between the plated weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer however I belive this is the law in europe, ( the plated weight has to be lower than the tow car) is it somehing we now have in our law and the dft dosent know
cp1980
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Im realy curious where this keeps coming from the dept for transport web site says quote, in the case of light trailers ie under 3500kg there is no relationship in uk law between the plated weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer however I belive this is the law in europe, ( the plated weight has to be lower than the tow car) is it somehing we now have in our law and the dft dosent know
[/ QUOTE ]
It's a bit of grey area, but better to err on the side of caution. I've had this confirmed to me by trailer manufacturers. Ifor W chap told me a few years ago that trailer law is enforced much more in europe and that, interestingly, their trailers are lighter for the French market where people tow with smaller cars.
Im realy curious where this keeps coming from the dept for transport web site says quote, in the case of light trailers ie under 3500kg there is no relationship in uk law between the plated weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer however I belive this is the law in europe, ( the plated weight has to be lower than the tow car) is it somehing we now have in our law and the dft dosent know
[/ QUOTE ]
It's a bit of grey area, but better to err on the side of caution. I've had this confirmed to me by trailer manufacturers. Ifor W chap told me a few years ago that trailer law is enforced much more in europe and that, interestingly, their trailers are lighter for the French market where people tow with smaller cars.