on from 4x4 post what size vehicle??

J

jen1

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2006
Messages
872
Location
Herts
Visit site
A friend at the yard wants to get a 4x4 to tow a trailer and one horse.

Horse is fairly fine but just a youngster so will grow and fill out to be about 16hh max, Arab x Saddlebred so not a chunky type.

She hasn't got the trailer yet but lets say an Ifor Williams 505. She likes the look of her sisters Vitara or a Rav 4, but we have been trying to explain that it's not the looks of the vehicle but the weight and towing capacity that matters.

So can someone explain on here in laymans terms what the rules of towing are and why it's best to have a bigger or heavier vehicle, for safety reasons and to get you out of muddy fields etc!

From what I understand Rav 4's and Vitaras etc are classed as SUV's so not 'proper' 4WDs Ok for around town etc, but I don't seem to be able to explain to her the difference! Had a friend that had a Freelander and although it looked nice in her words couldn't pull a shopping trolly! Any ideas on what make model she would be best off with would also help.
Thanks!
grin.gif
 
I have a grand vitara 2006 lwb diesel . its grand for pulling my id x tb mare around - i can even pop the 14.2 pony in as well with no probs.
diesel is the thing - petrol engines cant tow.
A rave4 however - i dont think they are meant to tow same for swb vitaras.
 
I think you're right. I have a 3dr Vitara (new style) and although nice i don't think the 5dr version would be the best for towing. However, i did look through the manual the other night out of interest to check the weights and, by the sounds of it a 5 dr could tow a trailer and horse although from the looks of it it would just be capable of one horse safely.

I think many people on here have recommended the Kia and Nissans as they are not ridiculously expensive either. I think for safety reasons I would certainly look for something more robust and 'built for the job' than the Suzuki Vitara would be.
 
Oh well Solveig is the first one I've heard say yes so far! Maybe the new models are better built for the job! I know price wise (hence why I got mine) there's not many that compete.
 
i think you need to really have a good look into what can tow ect, as isnt the towing is the stoppin and the cars mentioned are very lite and would check with the RAC or AA for correct towing weights ect before you go to any expence
 
yeah the price is super - i think you really should only tow one horse however. I used to have one of the old g.vitaras and although i did tow with it - it wasnt the best and somewhat scary too.
 
Here's a difference for you a freelander 5 door max tow limit is 1800kg , a discovery 5 door is 3500kg max tow limit.

Trailers are usually 1200kg minimum for the small light weight ones.

Hence you need the big car for towing really. But I do see people towing with the SUV's at most shows and they do seem to manage it.

But not for me I don't think. I had a look into all this recently as running the discovery is bankrupting me but it seems the smaller SUV's just aren't up to the job and aren't cheeper to run either.
 
Nothing beats our 1983 (A reg) Defender 110 Diesel. It may be old, but it does everything we ask of it, and tows anywhere with ease. Treat her well and she'll do the same to you.

The 110 is the long wheel base version, which makes the vehicle/trailer combination much more stable too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top