Does anyone tow with a Honda CR-V (2.2 diesel)

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Pr1nce

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I am finally in a position to get a trailer and towing vehicle and have been looking at the Honda CR-V (and also the Kia Sorento which i am less keen on looks wise but seems to be as economical as the CR-V with more towing capacity if the internet is to be believed)

I need something fairly economical as i do approx 65 miles a day during the week between work/yard/home and unfortunately need to keep fuel costs in mind when deciding (boo!)

My horse is 17hh so i guess i'll need an Ifor 511 or similar for him? he weight tapes at 650kg and ideally i'd like to be able to take a friends horse out with us occasionally until she gets her transport sorted later in the year, her boy is only 16hh and tapes at 500kg ish

I have been researching but getting very confused about the whole thing so it would be good to get some info on these vehicles or any others that can be recommended as economical :)

I'd also welcome personal recommendations of instructors to take towing lessons/test if anyone is local to Northants!
 
The Honda has a towing capacity of 2000kg. An ifor 511 has an unladen weight of 1000kg. Add your horse of 650kg plus friends of 500kg = 1150kg. Add to weight of trailer 1150 + 1000 gives a laden tow weight of 2150kg which exceeds the max of the honda. Would be OK with just your horse but not with friends as well.
You need to be looking at cars with a towing capacity of 2250kg as a minimum for what you need. 2400kg+ would be better for a little margin od safety.

Can't help with towing companies as I gained licence in 1978 so need need to do tests for trailer or 7.5t :)
 
You would be foolish to consider 2 good sized horses in a small SUV.

I’m similar in that I wanted as small and cheap a car to run as possible whilst being able to tow a trailer and horse.

Currently I have a Mitsubishi Outlander (not dissimilar to the CRV in Spec, that was actually my second choice), towing a Bateson Ascot which is a fraction smaller & lighter than the 511. Current horse is a good 17hh, not sure what he weighs but estimate 650kg.

I’m selfish I’m afraid and there is no way I’d be transporting a second horse in this sort of set up
 
hmm ok well it's not essential to tow 2 as said friend will be getting her own transport sorted this year too so i do want to be a bit selfish about it and get something that suits me + my own horse.

I will look into the outlander and the bateson ascot too

The Sorento has towing capacity of 2500kg but my dad had one a while back that had nothing but problems so i'm a bit wary...
 
Pr1nce said:
I am finally in a position to get a trailer and towing vehicle and have been looking at the Honda CR-V (and also the Kia Sorento which i am less keen on looks wise but seems to be as economical as the CR-V with more towing capacity if the internet is to be believed)

I need something fairly economical as i do approx 65 miles a day during the week between work/yard/home and unfortunately need to keep fuel costs in mind when deciding (boo!)

My horse is 17hh so i guess i'll need an Ifor 511 or similar for him? he weight tapes at 650kg and ideally i'd like to be able to take a friends horse out with us occasionally until she gets her transport sorted later in the year, her boy is only 16hh and tapes at 500kg ish

I have been researching but getting very confused about the whole thing so it would be good to get some info on these vehicles or any others that can be recommended as economical :)

I'd also welcome personal recommendations of instructors to take towing lessons/test if anyone is local to Northants!
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With your current B licence I would recommend this legal set up -

Skoda Octavia 4x4 where most have a GVW under 2000 with a Bateson Derby trailer weighing 675 empty and down plated from 1700 to 1500 leaving a max trailer load of 825

To take 2 horses you would need a set up using a B+E licence where the vehicle has a towing capacity of at least 2400 if carrying both around the 650 weight
 
I have had both the CRV and the Sorento.

The CRV is a cracking car and incredibly economical. However, it will only tow one.

The Sorento tows two very nicely, but is very thirsty and while mine hasn't (touch wood) had any issues yet, you hear enough complaints! If I was a bit richer (for fuel) and could guarantee bits aren't going to fall off the Kia, I'd say it was perfect. For one horse, the Honda was spot on.
 
We're on our second Honda CRV liked the first one so much we bought another and have been running them for about 8 yrs now, both have been 2.2 diesels. As above it has a tow limit of 2000kg, it's great for towing one and we've had a 14.2 and Shetland so probably 1650-1700kg and it was fine with that. It's also our main car and for that it's brilliant, easy to drive, loads of room both for people and in the boot and both have been completely reliable. We get about 44mpg general driving with a lot short journeys.
 
I was looking at exactly the same as you OP - the Honda CRV, the Sorento and the Sportage. Ive decided on the Sorento (not that Ive got one yet as theres not that many second hand around it seems). It seems to tow a better weight than the other two which IMO sounded a bit gutless - I tow a Bateson Ascot with a 15.3hh in it but Id like the option of being able to take my sons pony too sometimes or perhaps a bigger horse in future.
 
I have a Honda CR-V and tows my 17hh fine but I did once tow a very light 15hh tb too and it was fine but I was a bit nervous about it. It’s my dads every day car and I’ve used it myself but only to go about 20miles a day which cost about £60 a week for me. I’ve taken it over 800miles in one day though with the Horse box and I only filled up once so on long journeys it’s very good.
 
Only what you put on the trailer. In fact the more weight you have in the vehicle the better, as the most comfortable towing is if you're only pulling 85% of the vehicle's weight, it does give more stability. Of course there's a limit as the vehicle's engine is having to shift the whole lot, so much better to have a naturally heavy vehicle with powerful engine rather than overloading a smaller one :)
 
Pr1nce said:
thanks guys, this is all really helpful!

Do you have to include the weight of yourself/tack/passengers too when calculating?
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Vehicle plated GVW means the max the vehicle can be when fully loaded

Trailer plated MAM means the max the trailer can be when fully loaded

Each of those has their separate empty weights

More on this in the HHO TOWING CLINIC thread in post number 3000 - link below in my signature
 
Timely thread! Not planning to tow, but I am in the process of choosing my next car, and a newer CRV is high on the list (I have an ancient one, which I love). After reading comments, it has just climbed to the top of said list
 
Auslander said:
Timely thread! Not planning to tow, but I am in the process of choosing my next car, and a newer CRV is high on the list (I have an ancient one, which I love). After reading comments, it has just climbed to the top of said list
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Just be aware that after 2015 I think (whatever year mine is) they only make them 1.6turbo.
 
I'm fairly sure the 1.6 still has a 2000kg tow weight, apart from the automatic, the same as the 2.2 engine. Not enough for two horses but comfortable for one horse or two ponies.
 
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