Towing? Max limit?

[Lintel]

Hi there, a bit of a novice with towing having only got tow car and trailer last year!
I have a Vauxhall Antara 2.2l diesel manual, which apparently can tow 2000kg max.
I have a cheval Pullman which weight 830kg.
And a highland pony who weighs around 460-500kg... (hopefully toward the lower estimate!)


Can I take another horse with me on my travels? - totally uncertain about tack weight, fuel weight, experiences.. how terrible a journey it would be etc etc.

Advise and answers/stories all appreciated!

 

[Michen]

Well tack and fuel etc would be part of the car weight not what you are towing behind you. Unless you have a tack storage thing in your trailer.

I am in the same boat. Yes legally you could take another horse and the manufacturers are the best people to say what the car can tow of course. However I personally wouldn't take two horses in mine on anything other than a short flat journey on slow roads. My main concern is that if you need to emergency brake, or are on a motorway and get hit by a crosswind, the car may not have as much power to keep it steady if you are pulling your maximum weight. So yes I would do it for a local journey on slow roads as I believe that is safest, but also I wouldn't do it regularly as probably won't do the car much good.

 

[Lintel]

Well tack and fuel etc would be part of the car weight not what you are towing behind you. Unless you have a tack storage thing in your trailer.

I am in the same boat. Yes legally you could take another horse and the manufacturers are the best people to say what the car can tow of course. However I personally wouldn't take two horses in mine on anything other than a short flat journey on slow roads. My main concern is that if you need to emergency brake, or are on a motorway and get hit by a crosswind, the car may not have as much power to keep it steady if you are pulling your maximum weight. So yes I would do it for a local journey on slow roads as I believe that is safest, but also I wouldn't do it regularly as probably won't do the car much good.

Thanks, wouldn't ever be travelling far mind you too chicken at the minute but I can't help but think about the extra weight, how the car copes with it, braking, accelerating.

 

[Michen]

Thanks, wouldn't ever be travelling far mind you too chicken at the minute but I can't help but think about the extra weight, how the car copes with it, braking, accelerating.

It's a tricky one. Yes technically you can and I see plenty of people towing two horses in a ifor505 with a freelander. I just personally feel safer knowing I am well under my towing limits but like I said I wouldn't mind doing it on slower roads etc where overtaking lorries and crosswinds arent an issue.

 

[ROG]

Hi there, a bit of a novice with towing having only got tow car and trailer last year!
I have a Vauxhall Antara 2.2l diesel manual, which apparently can tow 2000kg max.
I have a cheval Pullman which weight 830kg.
And a highland pony who weighs around 460-500kg... (hopefully toward the lower estimate!)


Can I take another horse with me on my travels? - totally uncertain about tack weight, fuel weight, experiences.. how terrible a journey it would be etc etc.

Advise and answers/stories all appreciated!

with a B+E licence then yes you can
830 + 500 + 500 = 1830 so well within the 2000 towing limit

Try to put tack etc in car if poss because its always safer to have the car as heavy as poss with the trailer as light as poss

The trailer and car each have their own separate max weight limits

 

[gina2201]

Potentially yes depending if you have B licence or BE licence?

And to keep within the towing limit of your car at 2000kg yes load the boot with your tack etc aslong as you dont go over the GVW of your car!

 

[Lintel]

with a B+E licence then yes you can
830 + 500 + 500 = 1830 so well within the 2000 towing limit

Try to put tack etc in car if poss because its always safer to have the car as heavy as poss with the trailer as light as poss

The trailer and car each have their own separate max weight limits

Just the person I was hoping to hear from! With regards to long term damage to the car... how does this sit?

 

[ROG]

Just the person I was hoping to hear from! With regards to long term damage to the car... how does this sit?

I only advise about the legalities

 

[Lintel]

I only advise about the legalities

That's fine- just wondering as you being quite experienced will know more.

 

[ROG]

That's fine- just wondering as you being quite experienced will know more.

I have never towed a horsebox and only occasionally towed box trailers but loads of artic trailers

 

[Lintel]

I have never towed a horsebox and only occasionally towed box trailers but loads of artic trailers

Ah I do apologise, I thought you regularly towed boxes.

 

[popsdosh]

Ah I do apologise, I thought you regularly towed boxes.

The only comment I would make is manufacturers will always set towing limits well within the vehicles capabilities so it would not worry me to tow day in day out at the limit they publish. Mopst are capable of a lot more than stated.