do any of you tow with "normal" cars??

china

china

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 November 2008
Messages
5,193
Visit site
if so, what do you use, i have been looking at 4x4's and have come to the conclusion i cant afford the running costs with the milage i do. my friends dad tows and ifor with one horse safley with a new mondeo. it would be towing one lightweight 15.3 tb. im not good with the variety or cars there are so makes and models would be great.
 
My mum used to tow our trailer with a vauxhall something or other and i have been told my tt would easily pull a trailer. I think as long as it's 4x4 your fine:D
 
My mum used to towe me in our ford modeo estate, untill mum got rid of her mini for a nissan xtrail :D The mondeo did fine though, but never really chanced bug hills or anything...
 
I used to tow a ifor 505 with a freelander and it did a good job but now i have a saab 9.5 estate and its brilliant, much more stable than the freelander! I have been really pleased with it so far. You just need to check the kerb weight to make sure the car can cope but i am sure you wil, be fine
 
I tow a single Ifor Williams trailer with 15.1 horse in it using an '04 reg Mondeo. It is the 2.0tdci 130bhp engine in it, so nice and powerful and is rated to tow 1800kg, although is always well below this.

Never had any problems with hills, motorway driving etc. Got in and out of an event last summer under our own steam when others were being towed in/out! :)

Need to watch though as apparently the new style Mondeos have a lower towing limit.
 
You need to find out the towing capacity of your vehicle - easy to find on the internet. Then know the unladen weight of your trailer (we bought a bateson because they're light)) and weight of your horse. I suspect most "normal" cars would be towing illegally.
 
We towed a single ifor willams trailer with a Peugeot 406 and a Passat 1.9 diesel. Both towed fine and within legal limits
 
You realy need to look at big cars like a merc e class, volvo v70, BMW 5/7 series
Its not a good idea to tow right up to the limit with someting like a vectra or mondeo yes people do but they are the ones who are most likely to have an accident if they get into a situation like having to swerve or do an emergency stop, Towing livestock or horses isnt like towing a dead weight as they can move and destablise the trailer also you will shorten the life of the clutch and other parts by heavy towing... seriously can you put a price on the safety of you, your family, horse or other road users??? be safe get a proper 4x4 for towing,
there have been enough horible trailer accidents already dont risk it to save a few pennies..
 
I tow 720kg of Cheval 1000XXL, carrying 540kg of 16h2 TB, with a Mazda 6. I did a lot of research and engineering calculations before I settled on this combination, and I am very pleased with it. So far it has done all I have asked of it, with aplomb. (To be strictly accurate, except climbing a steep hill once on sheer ice)

I note that the negative comments always seem to be from people who have never even tried it, or even thought about it rationally. (Don't confuse me with the facts; I know what I want to believe.)

My car to trailer weight ratio is higher than a lot of 4x4s towing even Ifor HB505 or 506's, and a lot better than the average 4x4 towing a 510 or 511 carrying two horses; my wheelbase and overall length are longer than a lot of 4x4s too, so the rig is more stable.

If you are braking or swerving, the 4x4 bit will do you no good whatsoever – ALL cars have four wheels for BRAKING. My tyres are cutting-edge Continental road tyres, not compromised semi road/semi off-road tyres, as fitted to most mid-range-to-serious off-roaders.

I could go on – my centre of gravity is lower than that of a 4x4, etc, etc.

So, perfect11s, I am LESS likely to have an accident if I get into a situation like having to swerve or do an emergency stop.

I suspect a lot of people are driving 4x4s with a false sense of security.

I've also got a higher power-to-weight ratio than most towing 4x4s; not that I ever need it.

My only concern is if I ever have to drive on wet grass or mud, uphill – I just hope I can find an understanding and considerate 4x4 driver to pull me out! Oh, one other concern – I might not be able to re-start if I get stopped on anything more than a 12% gradient, even on dry tarmac.

I once worked on clutch material research for Ferodo Limited. I would be interested in anyone's calculations showing that a car clutch will not last 200,000miles, while towing. (Assuming the driver knows how to drive of course) Actually I'm not sure whether my clutch isn't identical to your average 4x4. As for the rest of a car and its transmission, I take it perfect11s has never experienced the battering a rally car gets, and survives, compared to simple towing.

Just a thought – our haylege supplier brings 10tonnes of the stuff plus a few tonnes of trailer towed by 3.5tonnes of very-short-wheelbase tractor, without any problems, and with a smile on his face.

My friend tows about 35tonnes of trailer with 7 tonnes of tractor – it's called an artic.
 
Volvos can do anything!

That sounds very interesting Kent, can you break down; car/trailer weight ratio, wheelbase (bottom of the wheel touching the ground?) and power/weight ratio please?

Thanks!
 
perfect11s said:
You realy need to look at big cars like a merc e class, volvo v70, BMW 5/7 series
Its not a good idea to tow right up to the limit with someting like a vectra or mondeo yes people do but they are the ones who are most likely to have an accident if they get into a situation like having to swerve or do an emergency stop, Towing livestock or horses isnt like towing a dead weight as they can move and destablise the trailer also you will shorten the life of the clutch and other parts by heavy towing... seriously can you put a price on the safety of you, your family, horse or other road users??? be safe get a proper 4x4 for towing,
there have been enough horible trailer accidents already dont risk it to save a few pennies..
Click to expand...

Have you not noticed that most of us 'car towers' are actually pulling a single trailer? Therefore we are all within the safety limits. Some of the big cars mentioned here, such as vovlo's and mondeos are BIG cars, some even weighing more than a poxy little 4 x 4, so your theory on 4 x 4 isn't exactly fool proof! Our car tows brilliantly, we have yet to be needed any help getting through muddy gateways, and the look on other peoples faces awaiting assistance is priceless!!
 
Also, forgot to add, some people simply can't afford to buy a gas guzzler, or more to the point, afford to run one.
I like going shopping, can get more in the estate too! (Darn big car to park mind!!)
 
Ruthnmeg said:
Also, forgot to add, some people simply can't afford to buy a gas guzzler, or more to the point, afford to run one.
I like going shopping, can get more in the estate too! (Darn big car to park mind!!)
Click to expand...
It might be ok with a light TB and a single trailer however you do see double trailers behind cars I hope VOSA and the police will be active around the shows this year If people are not doing anything stupid they will be fine, on the cost of things plenty of people "have" to buy a new or newish car ..carnt be seen with an "old car" what would their friends or the neighbours think!!!
so they will buy a 1year old car keep it for 3 years and lose about 3 quarters of its value so what they save in fuel they lose in depriciation..
 
kent said:
I tow 720kg of Cheval 1000XXL, carrying 540kg of 16h2 TB, with a Mazda 6. I did a lot of research and engineering calculations before I settled on this combination, and I am very pleased with it. So far it has done all I have asked of it, with aplomb. (To be strictly accurate, except climbing a steep hill once on sheer ice)

I note that the negative comments always seem to be from people who have never even tried it, or even thought about it rationally. (Don't confuse me with the facts; I know what I want to believe.)

My car to trailer weight ratio is higher than a lot of 4x4s towing even Ifor HB505 or 506's, and a lot better than the average 4x4 towing a 510 or 511 carrying two horses; my wheelbase and overall length are longer than a lot of 4x4s too, so the rig is more stable.

If you are braking or swerving, the 4x4 bit will do you no good whatsoever – ALL cars have four wheels for BRAKING. My tyres are cutting-edge Continental road tyres, not compromised semi road/semi off-road tyres, as fitted to most mid-range-to-serious off-roaders.

I could go on – my centre of gravity is lower than that of a 4x4, etc, etc.

So, perfect11s, I am LESS likely to have an accident if I get into a situation like having to swerve or do an emergency stop.

I suspect a lot of people are driving 4x4s with a false sense of security.

I've also got a higher power-to-weight ratio than most towing 4x4s; not that I ever need it.

My only concern is if I ever have to drive on wet grass or mud, uphill – I just hope I can find an understanding and considerate 4x4 driver to pull me out! Oh, one other concern – I might not be able to re-start if I get stopped on anything more than a 12% gradient, even on dry tarmac.

I once worked on clutch material research for Ferodo Limited. I would be interested in anyone's calculations showing that a car clutch will not last 200,000miles, while towing. (Assuming the driver knows how to drive of course) Actually I'm not sure whether my clutch isn't identical to your average 4x4. As for the rest of a car and its transmission, I take it perfect11s has never experienced the battering a rally car gets, and survives, compared to simple towing.

Just a thought – our haylege supplier brings 10tonnes of the stuff plus a few tonnes of trailer towed by 3.5tonnes of very-short-wheelbase tractor, without any problems, and with a smile on his face.

My friend tows about 35tonnes of trailer with 7 tonnes of tractor – it's called an artic.
Click to expand...
yes and on an artic alot of the weight is imposed over the rear axles of the tractor unit and under breaking even more .. its also a simalar case with an agricultual
tractor, The towing point (hitch) is just behind the axle and the wheels on an farm trailer are well towards the rear so alot of weight is imposed on on the axle of the tractor..
In the case of a trailer which is what we use behind a car or 4x4 has overrun brakes which in order to work correctly the trailer has to be ballenced so little weight is imposed on the tow bar so the sliding bit of the hitch will move and apply the brakes, so you need a stable heavy tow vehicle to avoid jackknife, a big trailer will push the back of a car round
4x4 does help as they are mosly rearwheel drive and it ballances the vehicle having both axles pulling..
I love your clutch argument yes I do know about rally cars!!! I was chef mecanic with a rally team for 5 years.. You should know that when rules allow the first thing that goes in the bin is the standard organic clutch and is replaced with a metalic one otherwise an uprated clutch is fitted,because standard ones soon fail... yes the clutch is same design in a 4x4 but is usealy bigger and a 4x4 has low range gears or aleast a low 1st gear and reverse, So you will end up slipping the clutch more in a car esp for manuvering and to pull away on an incline which will shorten its life ....
 
Last edited:
Even some single trailers are quite heavy. That is where the Cheval Liberte single comes into its own. It is light and tows in a very stable way. Lots of space inside as well.
 
Having been in a bad towing accident where we were towing with a normal car (BMW 5 series) I would NEVER risk doing it again. The trailer started wagging, the car wasn't powerful enough to pull out of the snake and we jack knifed across a main road, with the front of the car ending up haning over a 20 foot drop. No one was injured but we were incredibly lucky. Now I wouldn't even get in a 'car' towing a trailer if it belonged to someone else and I tow with the biggest 4x4 I can afford. I'm not rich, by any means, and having to have a big 4x4 means I have to have an older car. I'd love to spend the same money on a saloon and get something nearly new but I value the life of my horses, my own life and those of other road users too much. The mind boggles to be honest when people who tow with normal cars say they know they won't be able to go from a standing start on a gradient more than 12% or if in a wet or muddy field they hope to rely on someone with a 4x4 to tow them off.

I also wouldn't tow in a small 4x4 or anything that has a max braked towing weight of less than 2200kg.

You really can't be too careful and the trauma of being involved in an accident, even when no one got hurt, is far too great a risk.
 
As I said before I have a 5 series touring and a double Cheval Liverte. When I bought the double I had two ponies, max 650kg for the pair.

I now have an ISH at 550KG. Using the website linked above, I have 500 + KG "spare" when towing with my car, fully fuelled, me, husband, horse, hay. water, tack........ etc etc.

Personally I am a fairly slow tow person, I don't go if it's icy or windy, I am totally paranoid in the wet. I would be like this no matter what I was towing my horse with because a) I want her to have an easy journey and b) I am not going to have any avoidable accidents. I drive my horse like I have my Granny's best china in the back, tbh I bet I have never been over 45mph.

I have had to do an emergency stop and I suppose because I don't go too fast in the first place I could stop easily. I have been able to pull away on any hill I have stopped on.

Personally I think a lot of trailer accidents are cause by complacency during driving and poor maintenance of the trailer. When I take my trailer out it's like a military operation lol.

I chose a car over a 4 x 4 because they are just so slow and bulky for all the normal driving I do.
 
Persephone said:
Mr Darcy, I was under the impression that you back off the power during a snake, not try to power through it?
Click to expand...

I wasn't the one driving - point is that the trailer was too heavy for the car, which is why it started wagging in the first place. I'd rather err on the side of caution than pull close or at the limit. Are you sure you have 500kg spare? Your trailer is around 800kg, have you actually weighed your horse or is the 550kg just from a weigh tape? I thought my little 15hh arab weighed 545kg according to the tape but when he went on a weighbridge he was actually 575kg. So if your horse is actually closer to 600kg you're already up to 1400kg. Then two people in the car probably another 180kg, plus water, tack and equipment and you're getting very close to the 2000kg a BMW5 touring should be towing. I don't mean to get at you specifically and I'm sure you drive as carefully as you can but you can't account for other road users - you only have to read the thread about the horse that was killed last week when someone cut them up and they had to brake suddenly, tipping the trailer over. My accident was extremely scary and trailers are vulnerable enough even when towed by a heavy 4x4. Most of my driving is around town and the 4x4 is a bit of a handicap for that but I sacrifice ease of driving 90% of the time for that once a week I tow my horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top