Please Help a Dumb American with British Horse Transport

[SibeliusMB]

Hi all!

A friend of mine (fellow US expat) and I are looking at shared transport options for local trips around Norfolk/Suffolk, probably about an hour radius from Bury St Edmunds area. We both have 16.2hh geldings, each about 600kg.

She wants to trade her Honda SUV for a tow vehicle (and I would help cover cost of trailer rental and/or fuel as needed). Currently she is looking at a used Kia Sorento for a straight trade. However, would a Sorento be a safe choice for two full size horses, assuming we can find something like a 511 for a trailer? If I'm doing the math right, the unladen weight of the trailer (1000kg) plus 1200+kg of horses is going to put it right at the high end of the Sorento's all-wheel drive capacity. If I have that calculation wrong please correct me!

For perspective: I did a decent amount of local hauling back in the US and was always told to have way more truck than I needed, especially growing up in the mountains and winter weather. As a result, I had a Chevy 2500HD (3.5-ton, 400hp diesel truck with 700lbs of torque) for my 2-horse gooseneck trailer back home. That beast hauled two large horses and the rig stuffed to the brim with tack/supplies and never even broke a sweat. Was PHENOMENAL braking as well, as the exhaust brake feature give me total control of the heavy load and made for a much smootherride for the horses. I'm most comfortable towing with a healthy margin underneath the vehicle tow capacity.

Horse transport is very different here where trailer builds/materials and size of tow vehicles are concerned. I think we need to look at a 4x4 or even a pickup truck rather than the Sorento if we want to tow both horses together, I just want to see if my math checks with those that are more experienced.

We've looked at going in together on a horsebox but I'm guessing it would need to be a 4.5t or 6.5t based on the amount of payload for both horses. Not cheap. ? The other option is she gets the tow vehicle she wants, buys or rents a trailer, and I rent a 3.5t to put my boy in, but that seems silly where we want to do stuff together.

Thanks all and sorry for the newbie question!! ?

 

[asmp]

i’m sure someone more knowledgeable will come along but I would recommend a VW Touareg for towing two horses. It can tow 3.5. I have one. ?

 

[ester]

There aren't many newer truck options these days with max tow capacity (3.5t). I know the older sorentos were so it would depend how old it was going to be as the newer ones arent

 

[Barton Bounty]

Speaking from experience with a Kia, I do not think it will tow two biggies at all.

 

[McFluff]

Like you, I’ve been taught to have ‘spare’. So in all honesty that would be too close to the max for me. Particularly if you’ll be towing up/down hills or on grass/tracks.
When hiring, you have less options. If buying, you could get a lighter trailer to give you leeway.
also, with the weights as calculated, you’d need to have everything for the trip in the car (tack, water, kit etc) as the trailer is so close to car max.
id want something with 3.5t tow capacity for towing two big horses. But I’m a wimp. I’ve seen people cope with less.

 

[dixie]

I think the older Sorento’s would cope easily the newer ones have a much lower capacity.
Personally I think you should be looking at something with at least 2.8 towing capacity.

I would recommend looking at Ssangyong Rexton or Musso which have plenty of capacity for your set up, both of which I’ve used. Also Jeeps or Mitsubishi Shoguns.

 

[MereChristmas]

Would this thread help? Ask rog?
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...o-towing-clinic.490195/page-131#post-14575144

 

[ihatework]

I think I’d want a vehicle with a minimum 3T capacity.

It depends a lot on whether you are going newer or older. Modern models of most tow vehicles have had to become greener, which often means tow capacity reduces.

Personally I wouldn’t buy Kia for towing. Most of the decent double cab pick ups will do the job but equally plenty of the bigger 4x4 too. I’d always have said Mitsubishi but be aware they have left the uk which is a pita. Makes to consider - Toyota, VW Touareg, Landrover/Disco/RR, Isuzu, Nissan Pathfinder, Volvo XC90

 

[Quigleyandme]

I think a Toyota Land Cruiser would be a safer option if you follow the maxim of only using 80% of your car’s maximum towing capacity.

 

[Ratface]

I think the older Sorento’s would cope easily the newer ones have a much lower capacity.
Personally I think you should be looking at something with at least 2.8 towing capacity.

I would recommend looking at Ssangyong Rexton or Musso which have plenty of capacity for your set up, both of which I’ve used. Also Jeeps or Mitsubishi Shoguns.

I had a Mitsubishi Shogun, back in the mists of time. Very reliable and an excellent towing vehicle over all sorts of dire terrain.

 

[SibeliusMB]

Thank you all! This has been so helpful and I think we just went from being hopeless to having a real plan.

I just floated an idea to my friend that she sell her Honda and buy the trailer. Should be able to get a decent used 511 or something if that sort. I love the features and specs of the Shogun, and am now considering selling/part exchanging my Jag X-type for one.

Next question: what type of braking system do most trailers over here have? Is it integrated into the tow vehicle at all?

Back in the States, my truck had integrated trailer brake package that allowed me to adjust the sensitivity of the trailer's brakes depending on the weight of the load. I'm completely new to Euro style trailers so I apologize for the newbie question!! Thank you all again.

 

[Sealine]

I had a 2008 Sorento which easily towed a 511 and two big horses but the newer Sorento won't. I replaced my Sorento with a Ssang Yong Rexton which has 3.5t towing capacity the same as my old Sorento.

 

[Marnie]

I had a Mitsubishi Shogun, back in the mists of time. Very reliable and an excellent towing vehicle over all sorts of dire terrain.

I had a Mitsubishi Pajero, it was old when I got it but was high spec with climate control and all sorts of extras. It was an amazing towing vehicle, towed 2 big horses (1 x 16.2 heavy cob and 1 x 17.2 warmblood) without even feeling it. It also never moved on the road and had loads of space for tack etc.I loved driving it and was very sad when I stopped towing and couldn't justify the cost.

 

[MagicMelon]

I had a Sportage as my last car, I towed a Bateson Ascot (lighter than an Ifor and brilliant trailers) however I would only tow one 16.2hh in it. I towed two in it once and wouldn't again, it was ok but I felt it and I really felt I was pushing the limit. I upgraded to a Kia Sorento which is brilliant, Id probably tow 2 in it but havent tried more than 1. We used to have a VW Toureg which was brilliant for towing two - barely felt it was towing.

 

[Alibear]

You can't adjust the trailer brakes over here; they just do what they do. You have a 7 or 14-pin connector for electrics, the tow hitch ball and a breakaway cable and that's it.

With two horses on board, you will need a vehicle with a 3-tone + towing capacity. For more modern vehicles that tends to be pickups and full/big 4 x4. So not a freelander but a discovery would work. etc.

 

[SibeliusMB]

Definitely looking at something with bigger tow capacity. A 3.2L+ diesel with longer wheelbase so I have a few options in mind now thanks to you all!

ETA: disregard the B+E test question. Saw that went away up to 3.5t trailer/load.

 

[MereChristmas]

I think you might find it useful to put your ideas for vehicles and weights together and ask ROG if it is doable and legal
Good luck

 

[SibeliusMB]

I think you might find it useful to put your ideas for vehicles and weights together and ask ROG if it is doable and legal
Good luck

When I have actual specific vehicles and trailer options in mind I will, right now very early stages. Thank you for your help.

 

[MereChristmas]

When I have actual specific vehicles and trailer options in mind I will, right now very early stages. Thank you for your help.

I meant that Rog would help you with initial choices so that you don’t waste effort pursuing combinations that don’t work.

 

[m.l.c coloured]

We have an Isuzu rodeo pick up I think it's got one of the highest towing capacity as we have a 3.5 tonne digger and it pulls it effortlessly,plus where we live there is a lot of show men from the fun fair and they have these and tow all sorts of contraptions with them

 

[SibeliusMB]

Posted this in the tow clinic thread with no luck. Please see below.

I'm looking to purchase a tow vehicle to pull two full size horses (est. 600 kg each) and an equitrek trailer (rental, exact model unknown at this time).

I've put a deposit down on a used 2008 Range Rover Sport L320, with a 3.6L diesel, good MOT and service history and from a reputable dealer. The RRS puts out 286bhp and 472 lbs of torque. However, after researching more, I'm wondering if the slightly larger Range Rover L322 (with 3.6L diesel) is the better towing option? The L322 has about 14cm longer wheelbase and about 260+ pounds on the L320.

I like having more power and control than actually required. I usually prefer a longer wheelbase as well. That said, is the L320 perfectly good, and am I completely overthinking this? Or is the L322 the superior tow vehicle?

Regardless of model, which brand/model of fixed tow bar and electrics hookup do I need for heavy duty towing? Will contact some specialists bit just looking to be armed with an idea of what I need.

Thank you all!

 

[Alibear]

UK cars have a max towing capacity; it's listed in their handbook and their DVLA owner/ registration document.

Now the trailer test requirement has been dropped; you need a car with a listed max towing capacity that is more than the weight of your unladen trailer + horses + anything else you load into the trailer. (weight in the car has no effect on this)

So you need to ask for the max towing capacity of both vehicles and see if the maths adds up. I think for Range Rover Sports it's 3500kgs so you'll be fine; that's the max tow capacity you can get in the UK.

The regulations on tow bars are quite good over here, so any manufactured fitted one is fine, and any professional place will fit the right one for your vehicle just tell them you are using it to tow a trailer and horses.
But there was a problem with detachable tow bars on the discoveries, so maybe swerve those if poss.
You can buy 7-14 pin converters for electrics so if you're changing trailers, it would probably be worth having both combinations so you're always covered.

 

[SibeliusMB]

Thank you for the info on the tow bars/electris. I'm tracking on the tow capacity. Both Range Rover models are 3500kg, which is more than enough for the trailer models we're looking at and the two horses (and tack and supplies, fuel, etc).

I was just curious between the L320 (sport) and the slightly larger/longer L322 model if the towing experience was better in one or the other.

 

[Caol Ila]

This is a country where people tow with Skoda Yetis, so I honestly don't think most people (who aren't petrolheads) notice or pay attention to the difference between two models of Range Rover that have the same engine size and tow capacity.

My experience of owning a Land Rover Discovery entailed being on first name terms with my mechanic, but that's a different issue. LOL.

You've probably found this already, but here are some Land Rover nerds talking about it on a forum. Maybe this is enlightening? https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l320-range-rover-sport/237678-what-difference-l322-l320.html

 

[McFluff]

Either Range Rover will tow any legal equine outfit in the UK without noticing. Seriously, it’s their skill. They tow as well as a defender, but with home comforts. Find a good knowledgable Landrover garage and they’ll keep you right.
My parents had a lovely old RR for many years, towing many thousands of miles, she never missed a beat. They still miss her.