Towing Advice

[pinkcauliflowercat]

I'm looking for advice on buying a single horse trailer / car for my 14.1hh Welsh pony. Ideally, I don't want to drive a huge 4x4 SUV, as I'm only 4ft10 and have been driving a Fiat for the last 8 years, so I feel overwhelmed by larger vehicles. I'm considering whether it's possible to tow an Ifor Williams 403 (which weighs 767kg) with a smaller car, like the Mini Countryman 2.0 4WD, which is rated to tow up to 1500kg. My pony is estimated to weigh around 350kg, bringing the total weight to approximately 1117kg. Does this seem manageable, or would a smaller car struggle with towing this combination? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[fairyclare]

It’s not the towing, it’s the stopping.
Have a look at the cross over SUV’s, a Ford Kuga AWD, or a Audi Q3 Quattro, VW Tiguan etc.

 

[blitznbobs]

Don’t tow with a small car you are at risk of the “tail wagging the dog” which can be deadly… minis and the such like are not designed with towing in mind and to put an animal in such a position is not wise

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

How often do you intend travelling? I would always go for the maximum possible when towing. I've had discos for years. Parkers will give you the necessary information for towing weights. Even with a single trailer you want a decent vehicle to pull, as someone has mentionned you have a live animal to consider. Safety of that precious cargo is paramount.

I have now downgraded slightly and have a Honda CRV which is a 4x4 and I may tow one pony occassionally. (I only went out 3 times last season)

 

[ihatework]

With a small set up like that I’d be inclined to look at something like the Audi Allroad, the 4 series has 1.8-2T. Or VW Passat has something similar. Or Skoda Octavia Scout.

 

[teddy_]

I know a lady who tows one regular sized horse with an Audi Q3, without issues.

They’re really not big cars and you can probably pick up a well maintained example for not a lot more than a Countryman.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Maybe get hold of a good caravan magazine and familiarise yourself with towing weights, nose weights and braking capacities. You need a vehicle heavy enough to cope with a horse or pony moving around, and not come to grief on sharp corners.

 

[maya2008]

I have a Freelander and a light French make of trailer. I’m 5ft4 and love my little 4x4. It does the job beautifully pulling two ponies. Trailer weighs 750kg, car tows 2T, a 14.1hh would weigh approx 400-450kg. So tow weight 1200kg.