Towing 1 horse in double trailer with Audi a3

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Carrots&Mints

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Would I be able to tow my horse weighs about 500kg tops I'm a double trailer (ifor Williams don't know weight as of yet) using my Audi a3 which can tow 1700kg braked?
 
You'd probably be within the technical weight limit, but there are other things that will determine whether it will be okay to tow with. Do a search on here, there have been discussions on the A3 before. Towing shouldn't be about what you can get away with within the law, it should be about maximising safety and comfort with the resources available to you, and knowing when to recognise that the resources you have aren't really up to the job even if they work on paper. Why not just trade in the A3 for a vehicle that will tow safely?
 
Carrots&Mints said:
No offence but I wasn't asking for anyone's opinion I was asking if it I would be able to tow. Thanks
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I think opinions are important in this instance as people who have towed previously will have a better idea of what type of vehicle they'd prefer to tow with. I imagine McW was getting at the fact that you couldn't get out of any form of mud etc and you'd probably be very slow uphill towing in an A3. Not to be arguementive but you've asked for advise and someone has took the time to state an opinion!
Hope that it adds up for you, I'm hoping to get an A3 and would love a trailer behind it! :-)
 
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Carrots&Mints said:
No offence but I wasn't asking for anyone's opinion I was asking if it I would be able to tow. Thanks
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Yes you will, i used to tow a single trailer and my 16'1 mare with a merc c180 with 1800kg towing capacity, it was fine, when i sold the trailer a lady with an audi a3 bought it and i have seen her a few times and all has been fine!!
 
No, I had an A3 and whilst flicking through the owners manual looking for something totally unrelated to towing I came across a note in bold writing saying the A3 is not suitable for towing. I would never have used mine for towing anyway as I have a horsebox.

I guess technically you *could* tow with it but I think the note from the manufacture would indicate it was not a wise idea.
Also, I would think that with the horse weighing 500kg and the trailer weighting at least 1000kg, plus you, fuel, equipment etc you would be very very close to your weight limit and I would think actually over weight.

But, it is entirely up to you - its your horse and your safety…...
 
http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/audi/a3/towing-weight-limit/ - which one is your model?

Which ifor trailer is it - HB 505 506 510 511 ?

I know you only have a B licence at present so this might be useful ..... unless you get a lighter trailer so you can tow it on your B licence

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
 
We once towed as matter of emergency (vet trip) a 505 containing a 14.3 pony with a Peugeot 306 2 litre engine. It was all flat and was actually fine but as someone has pointed out we wouldn't have made it particularly easily up hills or out of mud. I'd not think it the best idea.
 
I had an A3 as a company car and I'd never consider towing with it. It might be fine in perfect conditions but perfect conditions rarely exist in the real world. I don't think it would be able to stop a loaded trailer very quickly and in an emergency I'd be worried about the trailer coming around on the car. I parked mine next to an older Rice trailer and the trailer was as long as the car.
 
Its easily possible to tow on your current B licence with one horse weighing 500 kgs

The Audi probably has a GVW of say 1900 kgs which leaves 1600 for the max MAM of a trailer
It also has a 1700 towing capacity

As an example an IFOR HB 401 or 403 has a MAM of 1600 and an empty weight of max 800 so it can be loaded with 800 kgs which leaves 300 spare in your case
 
Not sure why the Audi A3 has a mixed reputation for towing, but as someone who has towed with a variety of of cars over 25+ years, I would never recommend towing with a car that was not rock solid at the job.

There is nothing hairier than towing with a car that is not quite up to the job whether by guts or by handling (Montego estate 500 mile return journey motorway trip - never, ever again).

I now have a 13 year old LWB shogun. It is bliss.
 
http://carleasingmadesimple.com/bus...i/a3-diesel-sportback_2/57277/technical-data/ it's this car and the trailer is a 505 I think. It just means if I can use the trailer we already have. I don't have loads of money for a new wagon and because I'm moving to a yard where there's no transport I need something untill I can afford transport to get my horse out and about, the local show is literally 7 miles down the road so wouldn't ever be driving for hours on end.
 
No way. Not unless you want your horse and trailer controlling your car. Technically it *might* be able to pull the weight ( and thats dead weight not live weight) but it cannot control it when breaking. There was a lady I knew who tried to tow one horse with a 2 wheel drive estate car. What happened is she ended up with the trailer upside down in a ditch. She tried to break, the trailer carried on and flipped the car over.
Of course it's up to you but personally for me not for a million pounds would I tow my horse with that car.
 
I don't think you can. From what i understand if you passed after Jan 1st 1997 you can tow a trailer over 750kg but its mam must not be more than the unladen weight of your vehicle. An ifor 505 weighs around 950kg ( i used to have one and weighed it on a weigh bridge) the unladen weight of your car is 1310kg which does not leave you room to carry a 500kg horse. If you type towing laws into google the dvla website has all the info you need on it.
 
My personal opinion is that anyone towing a double trailer + horse with an Audi a3 is either a fruit loop or has a serious disregard for their horses safety.
 
redstar said:
I don't think you can. From what i understand if you passed after Jan 1st 1997 you can tow a trailer over 750kg but its mam must not be more than the unladen weight of your vehicle. An ifor 505 weighs around 950kg ( i used to have one and weighed it on a weigh bridge) the unladen weight of your car is 1310kg which does not leave you room to carry a 500kg horse. If you type towing laws into google the dvla website has all the info you need on it.
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I can drive up at 3500 Car 1310 plus 950 plus 500 is 2760 I think (brains not working)
 
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Can it tow or not... Your opinions are not facts. I'm wanting the facts. If it is FACT that it is dangerous and illegal to tow then show me :) Thankyou
 
Carrots&Mints said:
Opinions not needed just facts Thankyou
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Interestingly opinions are extremely valid - because most will come from those with relevant towing experience. If you think the car's manuel indicates you can tow the weights you are quoting, fine. But remember these are static weights and take no account of a large moving animal.

So if you have no regard for your own safety or that of your horse - fine, use the audi for towing. However if you'd like to be safe then consider a vehicle designed for the job.
 
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