Tow vehicle for lightweight trailer?

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Overgrown Pony

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Hey guys

Looking for suggestions for a car/4x4 that will tow the following legally on a B license:
Cheval Liberte GOLD ONE (mare and foal)
Downplated by manufacturer to 1400kg
Unladen weight just under 600kg
Used to tow 1 horse approx 600kg.

I will be using the vehicle as an everyday car so must be as economical as possible.

My budget is around £4000.

Am I better off scraping more cash together so I can get something younger and more reliable and so makes more financial sense in the long run?

Cheers for your help
 
1kimmy said:
Hey guys

Looking for suggestions for a car/4x4 that will tow the following legally on a B license:
Cheval Liberte GOLD ONE (mare and foal)
Downplated by manufacturer to 1400kg
Unladen weight just under 600kg
Used to tow 1 horse approx 600kg.

I will be using the vehicle as an everyday car so must be as economical as possible.

My budget is around £4000.

Am I better off scraping more cash together so I can get something younger and more reliable and so makes more financial sense in the long run?

Cheers for your help
Click to expand...
Do you need it to be a 4X4 ?


Here are some examples of various 4X4s along with the maximum trailer MAMs for each for B licence towing

Toyota Rav 4 (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1425
GVW = 1785
Max towing weight = 1500
Max trailer plated MAM = 1425 kgs


Nissan X trail (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1515
GVW = 2050
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

Kia Sportage (AWD) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1678
GVW = 2140
Towing = 1600
Max trailer plated MAM = 1360 kgs

FREELANDER 1 (2001 - 2005)
Unladen/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2040
Towing = 1800
Max trailer plated MAM = 1460 kgs

SUBARU FORRESTER (4X4)
Unladen/kerb = 1465 minimum
GVW = 2050 maximum
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

Skoda Yeti (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Kerb = 1530
GVW = 2070
Towing capacity = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1430 kgs


Deduct trailer unladen weight from max trailer plated weight to get maximum load/horse weight for the trailer
Example:- Nissan (1450) minus IFOR HB403 (770 appx) = load/horse 680 kgs


Don't ask me about the economics because that is not my area of expertise
 
Cheers for the reply ROG. No it doesn't have to be a 4x4. A gutsy diesel car would do fine. Any ideas?

Can you give me a formula to use for checks I need to do when looking at tow vehicles to match my trailer, make sure i'm legal on a B license? It's all so confusing...
 
1kimmy said:
Cheers for the reply ROG. No it doesn't have to be a 4x4. A gutsy diesel car would do fine. Any ideas?

Can you give me a formula to use for checks I need to do when looking at tow vehicles to match my trailer, make sure i'm legal on a B license? It's all so confusing...
Click to expand...
Your trailer has a MAM of 1400kg, so the car cannot exceed GW of 2100kg and needs kerbweight of more than 1400kg :)
I wouldn't tow with a RAV4, it's a toy 4x4, neither here nor there and you would be better off with a beefy saloon.
I have an Xtrail and I love it, it used to be quite economical when it was younger, lol, would do around 40 mpg, it costs £250 to tax, though.
 
1kimmy said:
Cheers for the reply ROG. No it doesn't have to be a 4x4. A gutsy diesel car would do fine. Any ideas?

Can you give me a formula to use for checks I need to do when looking at tow vehicles to match my trailer, make sure i'm legal on a B license? It's all so confusing...
Click to expand...
If you do not want to downplate further then look for these specs
Maximum GVW 2100 kgs
Minimum kerbweight 1400 kgs
Towing capacity at least 1400 kgs

I have no ideas for vehicles
 
Absolutely fantastic you guys thank you! I've taken a note of all the rules I need to stick to and the hunt is on!

If anyone has any more suggestions and personal experience on tow cars which fall into these rules please let me know.

Ta x
 
I tow a single Ifor Williams (the biggest horse that goes in it is 15.3 hh WB) with a Ford Mondeo, 2 litre diesel estate. The torque is very good & I never have a problem with it.
 
I have a Kia sportage 2ltr petrol and he is quite thirsty but he is 10 years old now. I use him just for towing and have a little run around fore commute. The newer ones are more economic now and you could prob get a 2006 model for £4k
 
I also checked the mpg to & from an event with the 15.3 on board. The Mondeo did 34 mpg over 30 miles (there & back) on a fairly hilly main road & some back roads. Pretty good I thought.
 
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