Best car for a starting out with towing? 🙂

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Violet555

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Hello everyone,

I am soon completing my driving test to be licensed to tow a horse trailer.

Currently I am insured on a family member’s car to practice towing as my car is an Audi A1 that definitely would not get halfway up the incline on the lane with a horsebox attached 🙈 They are happy for me to use their car to transport my horse whenever I need it, however I am due a vehicle upgrade and have been saving up for a car that can actually tow the weight required.

I am a total newbie to all the technical things related to towing besides the actual towing part, so I would love if you had any suggestions for a car that would be able to tow an approx 600kg horse with the current horsebox which is an ifor williams hb505 (905kg)

Other info:
* car will be towing max 1 - 2 times a month most likely for not huge journeys (less than 30km) however a longer journey here and there throughout the year.
* main purpose of the car will actually be for commuting to and from work, ability to tow is just a very helpful add on.
* manual or automatic is fine
* budget wouldn’t be brand new Range Rover high but if it can be purchased second hand (within the last 5 years) for around €30k ish (£26/27k) or less I’d be happy, but also willing to stretch if it means better reliability and driveability.

Interested to hear suggestions and if my budget needs a reality check do give it to me!
 
I have a 12 year old 3l Discovery 4 for towing, it’s safe and has enough power four roundabouts hills etc, I only usually tow 1 pony in an Ifor Williams 510.

I have an electric Mercedes for commuting (school run)
 
Just to comment on the first point you made about towing 1- 2 times a month etc, it doesn't matter how many times a month you tow or how far you tow, the set up must be fit for purpose.
 
Our Volvo XC60 does this. It’s a comfy car to drive too, but not that efficient on fuel though so less useful for a commute - but not many towing vehicles will be. There are quite a few threads about that particular conundrum.
ETA We bought it second hand, within your age and budget range.
 
I tow with a Mazda cx60 mild diesel hybrid. Plenty of power, exceedingly comfy, very economical for the type of car, I get 55 - 60 mpg with steady driving. I have not worked out what it drinks towing. A quick search on Autotrader this morning brings up a few that fall into the top end of your budget. It is a lot of car for the money when new, as mine was, but if you can find one that is the basic model, without the sun roof/heated rear seats/driver personalisation/360 cameras then the price should be lower.
 
Hello ! Ive done the rounds with this . https://towcar.info/outfitmatch.php
I drive a tiguan 4x4 diesel (2000kg tow capacity). Got 4 year old for 17 K SEL model. Igget on average 47mpg, and maybe 37mpg when towing so not bad! costs me £86 to fill a tank (or £106 atm cos of stupid fuel hike)
- So I would recommend something with a 2000kg tow capacity as a min . I wanted a xc90 but couldnt afford one.
- Remember its also about the weight of the car and what you are towing so as a novice tower I always want my car to be heavier than what Im towing (<85% is recommended) so the "tail doesnt wag the dog)
So for my car me plus water / tack and passenger is about 1800kgs, with my box plus horse and net being around 1500kgs - Ifors are around 900-1000kgs with the partition in for example. So I would only ever tow 1 personally with this setup.
- I have a manual but with reflection wish id got an automatic so would get this in future! (easier to pull away on hill rather than finding your bite etc) Get atleast something with autohold !!

So basically ideally a min of - 2000kg tow capacity, 4x4 if poss, automatic, diesel has more torque (deep down pulling force) would be on my search list :)

So Id look at:
Volvo xc60/90, tiguan, toureg (better), my friend tows well with her ford kuga 2.0, kia sorrento
Id avoid: jeeps, evoques anytthing 1650kg towing capacity (not enough if you need hills etc)

Check the sticker in the drivers side doorwell tells you the exact capacity of the car.


Check your routes before towing are relatively flat, I tend to go longer A road routes as much as poss. Do some empty rounds before going ahead, and get lessons if you are not sure.

I had a really dodgey experience before xmas as I parked on soft ground. always try park on tarmac/hard ground as the trailer can move unexpectedly on soft ground and jackknife, take someone with you to spot you. and reversing is counter intuitive so practice this before needing to with a horse in the back. Good luck and enjoy!

Edit to add: A reversing camera is very useful for hitching, though mine doesn't - I instead have a magnetic camera for hitching (amazon £80) and it doubles up as a camera which sticks to the inside of the horse box for my passenger to keep and eye on them - highly highly recommend !!!
 
Last edited:
HopOnTrot said:
I have a 12 year old 3l Discovery 4 for towing, it’s safe and has enough power four roundabouts hills etc, I only usually tow 1 pony in an Ifor Williams 510.

I have an electric Mercedes for commuting (school run)
Click to expand...
I agree with this. Old Range Rovers are great, don't cost as much as you think, have a lot of grunt and unlike the newer ones, are reliable
 
VW Touareg’s are brilliant for towing, we are on our second and I don’t think I’d tow with anything else now! They are quite thirsty so we have another smaller Volvo electric for day to day stuff!
 
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