Can my vehicle tow?!

[IrishCobMontague]

Hi guys! Beginning my towing career you could say! I drive a 1.6 diesel 2008 Kia C'eed. It has a towing capacity of 1400kg. I'm hoping to get a 800kg (after taking out the partition) Cheval liberte box. I have a 14.2 Irish Cob who is 4 years old and currently at the correct weight. However, both weightapes I've used say he's 19 hands he's a very hair and wide boy but his body condition score says his weight is perfect. I'm just wondering, what would you lot estimate his weight to be and do you think my car can tow him in the trailer? Thanks a million!

 

[IrishCobMontague]

Hi guys! Beginning my towing career you could say! I drive a 1.6 diesel 2008 Kia C'eed. It has a towing capacity of 1400kg. I'm hoping to get a 800kg (after taking out the partition) Cheval liberte box. I have a 14.2 Irish Cob who is 4 years old and currently at the correct weight. However, both weightapes I've used say he's 19 hands he's a very hair and wide boy but his body condition score says his weight is perfect. I'm just wondering, what would you lot estimate his weight to be and do you think my car can tow him in the trailer? Thanks a million!

Hi guys! Beginning my towing career you could say! I drive a 1.6 diesel 2008 Kia C'eed. It has a towing capacity of 1400kg. I'm hoping to get a 800kg (after taking out the partition) Cheval liberte box. I have a 14.2 Irish Cob who is 4 years old and currently at the correct weight. However, both weightapes I've used say he's 19 hands he's a very hair and wide boy but his body condition score says his weight is perfect. I'm just wondering, what would you lot estimate his weight to be and do you think my car can t

 

[brighteyes]

You need to post on the towing clinic thread. And I think you’d be pushing your luck with that vehicle. A Sorento will do the job nicely.

 

[Highmileagecob]

I wouldn't risk it. Pulling the weight is not the issue, the braking capacity may not be up to the job, plus the risk to stability.

 

[webble]

I would say too much of a risk

 

[Widgeon]

I wouldn't do it either. My car will tow up to 1800kg and I have a single trailer and a 15.1 cob - total weight probably 1300kg. I'm very happy towing that setup but I wouldn't want to go any heavier. The closer you are to the weight limit the less comfortable it gets to drive. At present I'm confident I can tackle whatever hills the moors throw at us (and we've done some hairy ones) but with more weight on the back I couldn't do that, despite still being theoretically 500kg under the limit for this car. You never want to find yourself in a situation where you're underpowered and can't get yourself out.

 

[Kat]

I used to tow with a vehicle with a 2.6t towing capacity. My trailer was under 1t, it was fine with just my horse it but would struggle on steep hills with two in despite being within the weight limit (horses weighed no more than 1.2t together). It was manageable but I wouldn't have wanted anymore weight in.

Towing is much more pleasant now, my current truck has a smaller engine but a much bigger towing capacity.

 

[marmalade76]

A 1.6 engine is not big enough.

 

[Cortez]

It is generally recommended to have at least a 2.00 engine for towing horse trailers.

 

[irishdraft]

No I wouldn't tow with that car myself

 

[Rowreach]

Even just going on weights (and forgetting that you are thinking of towing a horse for the moment) you are too close to the limits and, having just had a quick look online, it seems that the braking capacity of your vehicle is a concern for towing. You would also struggle with hills, anything other than a decent road surface (so a stony track into a yard for example) and the capacity for getting yourself out of trouble if you needed to is lacking.

The weights all add up when you remember driver and passengers, tack and equipment, fuel, haynets, water ... You'd want to be well within your vehicle's limits with some in hand to be safe, and a decent engine size and a chunky vehicle makes a huge difference to the quality and safety of the ride for your horse.

 

[IrishCobMontague]

I appreciate all your replies. I think it's time I start looking for an SUV in that case!