Small 4x4s for towing?

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3v3nt3r

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Considering selling my 3.5t horsebox and small car and buying a car and trailer! However, do NOT want a big landrover ect as found them to be money guzzlers! It has to be cheap(ish) to run on a day-to-day basis! Wondering what small 4x4s there are available? In my dreams I would like a Mini countryman in 4x4 but would it tow a trailer? Won't be a big trailer. Most likely a equitrek Trail-Treka M, will be towing a 15hh section D and possible a 10hh shetland! Also I don't like 'ugly' cars! Very attached to my beautiful horsebox and not 'downgrading'!
Thanks in advance!
 
Most 'small' 4x4s will not be suitable to pull a trailer. A mini - no chance. ROJ is the one to ask
 
Just curious as the new(ish) equitrek is described as a 'lighter weight horse trailer which can be towed legally and safely by smaller 4x4's and some cars'. Supposed to be much lighter than the traditional ifor williams ect
 
It depends on the towing weight of the car - most will be listed online. I know my Suzuki Jimny was a no-no - depends on your idea of small. When it says some cars it will mean something with a decent engine - likely over 2 litres.

I had a defender 90 and trailer and it is much cheaper to have a runaround and a 3.5t. I don't think I could cope with a trailer now after having the luxury of a Luton, day living and kitchen :) Oh and tack lockers!
 
Do you have a B+E licence?

Nissan Xtrails are used by many on here if you want 4x4

If you only need to tow on hard surfaces then a basic saloon such a a Mondeo will suffice
 
I have a Ford Kuga, does about 32mpg around town pulls a Bateson trailer with a 14.2 cob no problem. Haven't had to spend much on it other than tyres in the 6 years i've had it, its also classed as all wheel drive so tax is about £160 for the year (I think). But if I could persuade my oh I would have a small car and a box. Heyho I'll keep putting my lottery on xx
 
3v3nt3r said:
Considering selling my 3.5t horsebox and small car and buying a car and trailer! However, do NOT want a big landrover ect as found them to be money guzzlers! It has to be cheap(ish) to run on a day-to-day basis! Wondering what small 4x4s there are available? In my dreams I would like a Mini countryman in 4x4 but would it tow a trailer? Won't be a big trailer. Most likely a equitrek Trail-Treka M, will be towing a 15hh section D and possible a 10hh shetland! Also I don't like 'ugly' cars! Very attached to my beautiful horsebox and not 'downgrading'!
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/mini/countryman/towing-weight-limit/ - the ones in that list with a towing capacity of 1200 could be used to tow a lightweight trailer such as a Bateson Derby at 675 empty with a horse weighing 500 or less

http://www.equi-trek.com/uk/horse-trailers/trail-treka-m/info - empty weight of 890 so only leaves 300 for horse with a towing capacity of 1200

Need to know what licence you have .... B or B+E ?
 
ROG said:
How can it be cheaper to run a 3.5 and a car if all is needed is a car and trailer?
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It is if I need to change from my very cheap to tax insure and run car to a diesel guzzling 4x4. I would also need to take my test which would be an initial cost. There wasnt a huge difference but I only ever travel my 14.2 and a friends so we are ok weightwise
 
webble said:
It is if I need to change from my very cheap to tax insure and run car to a diesel guzzling 4x4. I would also need to take my test which would be an initial cost. There wasnt a huge difference but I only ever travel my 14.2 and a friends so we are ok weightwise
Click to expand...

Changing to a large 4x4 might be dearer I agree but where a basic family size estate or saloon with AWD is used for hard ground journeys then that has to be cheaper
 
ROG said:
Changing to a large 4x4 might be dearer I agree but where a basic family size estate or saloon with AWD is used for hard ground journeys then that has to be cheaper
Click to expand...

Yes that possibly would be ok but I think I would want something a bit beefier if I was going to tow, we live near the Welsh hills annd I would want to be sure of getting up them :)
 
Thanks everyone! Know everyone has their own opinion and it probably IS cheaper to run a small car and 3.5t...however (!) a baby on its way means I need to upgrade from my two seater and also means my horse won't be competed for about seven months, meaning the horsebox will be sitting at home!
Considering a Audi A4 'Allroad' (if OH is prepared to dig deep)
Then I can sell my lorry, buy a baby-friendly car and then buy a trailer when required, simple!(I wish)
Any other suggestions? Not a Ford Mondeo as personally don't like driving them!
 
I have a Nissan Xtrail. Only tow one horse with it though. Great thing about it is, you can switch it between 2 and 4 wheel drive so for the majority of driving it is more economical than a regular 4x4. It's 8 years old so this feature might not still be an option on the newer ones.
 
I've just bought a vw tiguan which is 4wd and is giving me 40mpg or so unless I thrash it! Very comfy and plush inside too! It's the same sort of thing as the kuga. Quite pretty too and there are a lot about to buy with 170hp or 140hp engines. I am a vw enthusiast but if I wasn't, I'd definitely consider the x trail.
 
Audi A4 allroad has a towing capacity between 1900 and 2100 so is plenty ok for one horse and a trailer

900 empty trailer with a 500 horse = only 1400
 
I tow with a BMW X1 and get 46 mpg combined out of it for work etc. Will tow 2000kg so easily 1 horse and big trailer. The Audi Q3 looks similar and rather nice too.
 
ROG said:
Do you have a B+E licence?

Nissan Xtrails are used by many on here if you want 4x4

If you only need to tow on hard surfaces then a basic saloon such a a Mondeo will suffice
Click to expand...

Was about to suggest that, I have one (as do 2 others on my yard) I get about 350 miles out of a £70 tank fill on normal driving. Tows really nicely (I only tow 1x 17hander)
 
JPJPJP said:
What about the Skoda Yeti?

The huys over at briskoda seem to think it fits the bill nicely http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/273045-yeti-as-a-tow-car/
Click to expand...

This combination may interest you and some others in a similar situation .... B licence only with 1 horse

OCTAVIA ESTATE - 1.6 TDI CR SE 4x4 5dr (yes, a 4X4 !!)
Gross vehicle weight 1998 kg
Max towing weight - braked 2000 kg

BATESON DERBY trailer
Empty 675
MAM 1700 but down plated to 1500

Max load/horse for trailer 835 kgs

OR = Alternative trailer
IW HB401/403
Empty 800
MAM 1600 but down plated to 1500

Max load/horse for trailer 700 kgs
 
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