Has anyone towed with a normal car with 1500kg capacity

[[127815]]

As the header says
I have a fine 15hh horse
Would use the lightest trailer I can find.
Has this been done?
My merc CLA220d has a towing capacity of 1540kg and to save me buying a new 4x4 just to get me by for the summer.
I know my numbers work out but has anyone done it?

 

[Tarragon]

I used to tow my two ponies in a cheval liberte trailer with a 2L ford mondeo. I calculated that the weight of the trailer (around 750kg) and the weight of the two ponies (around 700kg) was just under the towing limits.
It worked well in most circumstances, though I had to check the route for hills etc., and couldn't just follow sat nav regardless, and avoided parking on soft ground.
I had one scary moment which involved stopping at lights on a hill in the middle of Macclesfield on my way to Cheshire show, after a light summer rain shower, and nearly couldn't get going again!
I have since moved to a proper 4 wheel drive because I really felt vulnerable then. On main roads and most country roads it was just fine!

 

[Barton Bounty]

We towed an older rice trailer with a Saab. Just one horse. Towed perfectly

 

[ihatework]

If you are going to use a light single trailer you’d probably be ok.
Personally I prefer a bigger trailer and a car with a bit more grunt … but for short shuttle type trips on road you will be perfectly legal and relatively safe

 

[BSL2]

I'd be worried about "tail wagging the dog", and emergency stops. Possibly very short trips, with excellent weather conditions.? But I wouldn't do it myself.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Personally I wouldn't.......

But then I live in Devon where we have plenty of steep hills. My last towing vehicle was an X-Trail which was a huge disappointment and frankly wouldn't have pulled a flippin' toilet chain let alone a light trailer with one pony in it.

Had to have a serious conversation with Jesus every time we got to a hill. It was hard work.

Have determined that I'm gonna be VERY fussy with my next towing vehicle (when I get some £££ together, which at the moment is a bit of a distant prospect, if ever!).

 

[doodle]

I have an x trail (actually on my 3rd) and it is brilliant. Pulls a 511 and a 650kg horse up a steep hill and you don’t even notice it is towing.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Someone near me tows a big equitrek trailer with a very old vauxhall cavalier type car not sure they even make that model anymore but it looks a very old vehicle.

I've often thought surely that can't be safe

 

[Tiddlypom]

I had one scary moment which involved stopping at lights on a hill in the middle of Macclesfield on my way to Cheshire show, after a light summer rain shower, and nearly couldn't get going again!

Ha, my 'Oh Sh1te' junction in an underpowered front wheel drive Montego estate was the traffic lights on the A54 at the top of the hill in Congleton at the junction with the A34 .

*stay green stay green stay green *

OP, not really having or only just having enough grunt to tow is not great - been there done that having winged it in my youth. A decent tow car is vital, tbh, ideally a 4x4. There's a number that will tow 2000kg to choose from such as the Skoda Octavia which needn't break the bank.

 

[Love]

I personally wouldn't risk it even though it is *technically* doable. I'm sure there are others who would however and that you are only asking if people have managed it.

Has the whole having to down-plate the trailer thing gone out of the window now they have scrapped the B+E test or would that still need to be done? Might be worth looking into, depending on which trailer you go for etc

 

[[127815]]

Thank you all
I think it's under 3500kg to stay legal with B+E? Not too sure.
It's just to get me by the summer to get to local clinics etc while I save for a decent horsebox, if I could do without buying a 4x4 AND a trailer that would be great.
I've only ever towed with 4x4 vehicles in the past so really don't know what to expect
Horse is less than 500kg but call him 500 and trailer 700kg let's say. That leaves 340kg.
Surely if the manufacturer says 1540kg towing capacity then that should be able to tow 1540kg with no issue - one would expect /hope

 

[teapot]

Thank you all
I think it's under 3500kg to stay legal with B+E? Not too sure.
It's just to get me by the summer to get to local clinics etc while I save for a decent horsebox, if I could do without buying a 4x4 AND a trailer that would be great.
I've only ever towed with 4x4 vehicles in the past so really don't know what to expect
Horse is less than 500kg but call him 500 and trailer 700kg let's say. That leaves 340kg.
Surely if the manufacturer says 1540kg towing capacity then that should be able to tow 1540kg with no issue - one would expect /hope

Don't forget about the weight of all the additional kit, water etc that you'll have on board too.

I can technically legally tow c.1250kg with my car. Would I want to? Absolutely not. I don't have the engine power for a start.

 

[conniegirl]

My trailer is a cheval liberte 1000xl single horse trailer and from memory. weighs 500kg unladen
So with a 600kg horse you would be at 1100kg well within the cars capability

 

[[127815]]

It's a 2.2l diesel
350nm torque (3-4rpm) so it does have some amount of guts for a car.
If I try it I'll let you all know how it goes
One for sleeping on I think

 

[Patterdale]

Every child in the 90s was transported like this. Be reet!

 

[blitznbobs]

I used to tow my two ponies in a cheval liberte trailer with a 2L ford mondeo. I calculated that the weight of the trailer (around 750kg) and the weight of the two ponies (around 700kg) was just under the towing limits.
It worked well in most circumstances, though I had to check the route for hills etc., and couldn't just follow sat nav regardless, and avoided parking on soft ground.
I had one scary moment which involved stopping at lights on a hill in the middle of Macclesfield on my way to Cheshire show, after a light summer rain shower, and nearly couldn't get going again!
I have since moved to a proper 4 wheel drive because I really felt vulnerable then. On main roads and most country roads it was just fine!

That junction is absolutely a killer - and why oh why do cars get so close up your arse so your hill start whilst in a wagon or with a trailer has to be perfect… i go to the auctions (furniture ) at the bottom of that hill a lot and pick stuff up in the wagon and i seriously dread the lights changing on that hill…

 

[eahotson]

As the header says
I have a fine 15hh horse
Would use the lightest trailer I can find.
Has this been done?
My merc CLA220d has a towing capacity of 1540kg and to save me buying a new 4x4 just to get me by for the summer.
I know my numbers work out but has anyone done it?

Yes.I bought a single chevalier liberty as it was the lightest trailer I could find and it was fine.