Can I tow a trailer with 2 horses with a VW Tiguan Escape?

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Olliepop

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Have an ancient horsebox and have the option of getting a company car so planning to get rid of the horsebox and get a trailer. The VW Tiguan Escape is capable of towing 2500kg according to the VW website. Would this be enough/ legal to tow a trailer with 2 horses? Current boy is 500kg TB. It will cost me more to get this one than one of the other Tiguans but these are only capable of towing 2000kg which I don't think is enough to tow 2 horses. Current box is 3.5 tonnes with 1000kg payload so can only carry 1 horse. Would be nice to take 2.
 
How much does your trailer and the other horse weigh? You may find you're near the top of the max and may be risky. Also, what is the weight of the car. You need to ensure you're towing no more than 85% of the weight of the car.
 
ArabianGem78 said:
How much does your trailer and the other horse weigh? You may find you're near the top of the max and may be risky. Also, what is the weight of the car. You need to ensure you're towing no more than 85% of the weight of the car.
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Oh dear!!! best you look on the towing sticky in CR too :D.... Despite
100s of posts people still have no idea of the facts ... Will the 85% crap ever die!!!! poor old ROG!!! wont do his blood pressure any good you know,wanders off looking for the bang head on wall smiley...
 
perfect11s said:
Oh dear!!! best you look on the towing sticky in CR too :D.... Despite
100s of posts people still have no idea of the facts ... Will the 85% crap ever die!!!! poor old ROG!!! wont do his blood pressure any good you know,wanders off looking for the bang head on wall smiley...
Click to expand...

:D bless him...
 
Ouch.

I posted before the link to the other post and wasn't aware the the 85% rule being crap. It is kind of sensible though. You really don't want to get into a situation where the trailer is driving the car, or kill your engine because it's having to work too hard.
 
ArabianGem78 said:
Ouch.

I posted before the link to the other post and wasn't aware the the 85% rule being crap. It is kind of sensible though. You really don't want to get into a situation where the trailer is driving the car, or kill your engine because it's having to work too hard.
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No, but this really is an area for those who 100% know what they are talking about. The 85% was a caravan club recommendation, from years and years ago, which was never intended to transfer to towing horse trailers, which is a bit of a different game altogether. I do agree that you don't want to knacker the car by straining it, but even with two proper 16.2hh you'd still be considerably below the max, and that is the manufacturers calculated weight.


With the appropriate license- a pre 97 driving license, or taking a B+E licence, yes 2500kg max braked towing capacity should see you fine for a 1000kg Ifor Williams HB505, and two circa 600kg 16.2hh horses- 1000+1200= 2200kg, leaving you some wiggle room and water/tack etc if you choose to have these in/on the trailer.

A point of caution though- check whether you are allowed to tow with your company car.
 
The 85% of kerbweight rule is for carvans only
For all other trailers we now have vehicles designed at 2750 GVW with 3500 towing capacities and they do that very safely

OP - 2500 should easily be enough for a trailer between 900 and 1000 empty with two horses weighing 1000 between them - that leaves 500 to spare for other bits which can be put in the trailer

I will assume you have a B+E licence

Re using a company car for this purpose - check with the owner and insurer of that car
 
Hi All - thanks so much for your help. I had no idea about trailers!! ROG I will be doing the trailer test so no problem there. I spoke to the company car underwriter and they advised that third parties are covered but I would need to have additional insurance for horse/ trailer. So the Escape would tow 2 horses. That must mean that the other Tiguan versions which tow 2000kg would be fine for 1 500kg horse? Thanks so much for your help everyone.
 
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