Horse trailer and vehicle

[bz88]

Hi all. Doing a bit of research regarding horse trailer and towing vehicle.

I currently drive Nissan qashqai 21 plate and towing is not going to happen I already know that so I’m looking for something else. Well technically according to Nissan I can tow up to 2200kg but new Nissans are so fragile I’d probably kill the engine.

I’m looking for recommendations from personal experience. In my ideal world Land Rover discovery would be brill but I know there’s other options out there and I’m open to suggestions.

I’m will also be looking for trailer once I get vehicle so I’m looking for recommendations for that too. There’s quite few companies out there.

My dear hubster suggested keeping qashqai as a family car and buying a 3.5t horsebox but I guess I’m the sensible here as we won’t be going out regularly it will sit at the yard most of the year with mot, insurance and tax have to be covered.

Many thanks

 

[asmp]

VW Touareg. We’re on our 3rd now (not because they keep breaking down but because we like them!). You don’t notice you‘re towing.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

I’d take up his offer of the box! lol

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Another vote for a VW Touareg - we’ve just got one and towing is a breeze. We tried the Ssangyong Rexton and I really wanted to like it as it’s significantly cheaper than the Touareg but the VW was so much more solidly built. It’s not as thirsty as I thought either - we got 45mpg doing a long trip the other day.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Go for something beefy, with a bit of weight to it to cope with trailer plus horse and movement. Disco, Land Cruiser sort of thing.

 

[black and brown]

If you have a choice of a trailer or a 3.5 tonne lorry which would your horse prefer? If happy to travel in either then great, otherwise it could be an expensive mistake!

 

[Bobthecob15]

VW Touareg. We’re on our 3rd now (not because they keep breaking down but because we like them!). You don’t notice you‘re towing.

Yep another vote for these!! I love ours, you can't tell you are towing!! They tow 3500kgs so absolutely brilliant.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Before I changed over to a 7.5 ton lorry as I had 2 big horses I used to tow my Bayeson Deauville trailer. I used a Discovery & & Pajero which were great towing vehicle. The 3.5 litre Pajero was the best but it was thirsty as hell but pulled like a train.

 

[YourValentine]

How often will you be going out? Would hiring be an easier option?

Just because a trailer will also need service and maintenance, and if sat not moving for long periods wheels & brakes can sieze etc.

If I could afford a semi decent one I'd have a 3.5t horsebox, not a car & trailer. And have a small economical runabout for day to day.

 

[Zigzagged6260]

I use a trailer but it isn't quite the maintenance-free option you might think it is compared to a 3.5t.

Trailer insurance (+breakdown) approx £350/yr.
Trailer service £250/yr
Car tax (as towing car is more polluting than run around) £700/yr

Just to give you an idea. For me the trailer is still the best option but it isn't quite as cheap as some people might imagine.

 

[Annagain]

How big is your horse and do you plan on taking others with you? This would influence any recommendations as you may be fine a car that will tow 2T or you may need a bigger one. Budget and the age of vehicle you're considering is also a consideration.

Depending on what you choose, how new it is etc it may work out more cost effective to have a 3.5T. Diesel / Petrol cars that cost more than £40k when new now attract a tax premium of £390 for 5 years from the second time they're taxed (so 1-6 years old) regardless of emissions. They will probably also cost a lot more to insure. Maintenance is probably the only thing that wouldn't be offset by the running costs of a new car. You could probably get a decent little 3.5T for around £15k if you were happy with an older one. A friend recently bought a very nice 07 plate Marlborough for less than that. How much would you be spending on upgrading the car and what's your budget for the trailer?

I'd go for an IW just because they're the most popular so easy to pick up 2nd hand, easy to get parts for and servicing people know how to look after them. If you need a particularly light one though several other manufacturers make much lighter trailers.

 

[cold_feet]

I’d take up his offer of the box! lol

Me too - if you can afford go for it!

 

[Birker2020]

I've always towed with a diesel saloon. Never had issues towing a 17.1hh single horse in a light weight trailer.

 

[Aleka81]

Do not I repeat do not buy a discovery 3 or 4 unless you have money to burn. I have had more than 1 of each. And the maintenance is horrendous! They make horses look cheap!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I’d take up his offer of the box! lol

So would I

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I had an X-Trail. Wouldn't have pulled grandpa's flies down; and every hill I got to (we're in Devon!!) had to have this conversation with Jesus to get to the top.

Bleddi thing. Wouldn't ever have another. Perhaps I was unlucky with mine I dunno.

 

[irishdraft]

I have had a Toyota Hilux, land rover defender 90 & now have a mitsubishi shogun. I had the land rover for 17 years & it was brilliant for towing only changed to mitsubishi because it was getting expensive to keep the landy going & OH hated it. The mitsubishi is fine more comfortable, personally I always go for a proper 4x4 capable of towing 3.5 ton for handling & braking.

 

[bz88]

If you have a choice of a trailer or a 3.5 tonne lorry which would your horse prefer? If happy to travel in either then great, otherwise it could be an expensive mistake!

He’s happy to travel in either x

 

[bz88]

How often will you be going out? Would hiring be an easier option?

Just because a trailer will also need service and maintenance, and if sat not moving for long periods wheels & brakes can sieze etc.

If I could afford a semi decent one I'd have a 3.5t horsebox, not a car & trailer. And have a small economical runabout for day to day.

My daughter wants to go do pony club ect plus we do like to do arena hire so I reckon once per week so renting would be expensive that often