Towing on a B licence

Leam_Carrie

Leam_Carrie

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Hello.
I understand the rules are a combined MAM of 3.5kg for the vehicle and trailer. Assume it needs to be a single trailer like the Ifor 401.
What car and trailers do you have? Horse is 16hh and weight tapes at around 500kg (or I could take mini Shetland out at 140kg!!).
Budget is probably about £10k for both.
Thanks
Caroline
 
The Ifor 401 would need downplating, which isn’t a problem but it’s worth looking into what the options are for downplating as there are different regulations, depending on date of manufacture. Before 2013, downplating can be done to any even number, after 2013, it’s only in increments of 100kg (which, when MAMs between car and trailer and large horse allowance are quite critical could prove an issue). For a small number of trailers produced between 2012 and 2013, apparently, there’s no downplating allowed at all!

In terms of tow cars, I think you have a better choice with older cars as the newer ones seem to be getting heavier! I used to have an X Trail, which was perfect with a downplated 401. It’s getting harder to find a new car within the weight limit now though and, as options are now limited, I’m aiming to do my trailer test before I get my next new car.
 
Fiona36 said:
The Ifor 401 would need downplating, which isn’t a problem but it’s worth looking into what the options are for downplating as there are different regulations, depending on date of manufacture. Before 2013, downplating can be done to any even number, after 2013, it’s only in increments of 100kg (which, when MAMs between car and trailer and large horse allowance are quite critical could prove an issue). For a small number of trailers produced between 2012 and 2013, apparently, there’s no downplating allowed at all!

In terms of tow cars, I think you have a better choice with older cars as the newer ones seem to be getting heavier! I used to have an X Trail, which was perfect with a downplated 401. It’s getting harder to find a new car within the weight limit now though and, as options are now limited, I’m aiming to do my trailer test before I get my next new car.
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Thanks Fiona. That’s really useful info on the down plating. Am struggling to find a car light enough with plenty of towing capacity. I am wondering whether to just do a course and get my b+e...
 
Leam_Carrie said:
Thanks Fiona. That’s really useful info on the down plating. Am struggling to find a car light enough with plenty of towing capacity. I am wondering whether to just do a course and get my b+e...
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I really loved my X Trail to tow with. The weights worked out too.
I have a Mazda now, which, when pulling the trailer feels like it’s still got loads more power. There are definitely combinations available but it gets more difficult with brand new cars. If you’re looking at under the 10k mark, I’d definitely look into the old X Trail. (The new ones work out too heavy).
 
We tow with a skoda yeti 4x4 (GVW 2000kg£ with a cheval liberte 1000xl (MAM of 1400kg so dont need to downplate).
The cheval liberte weighs just over 500kg unladen so close to 900kg payload (my pony only weighs 460kg)
 
I've got a Ssanyong Korndao. Towing capacity of 2000kgs and it would be legal with a few of the lighter weight single trailers. They are remarkably cheap to buy and run for such useful tow cars. Mine does about 45mpg in normal use.
 
I tow the above single cheval liberte and a ford Mondeo. I had to take the B+E as was over by 100kg 🙄 but well worth it, love my little combination and the course and test was so useful. If you have 10k to spend you can easily get a nice car and trailer with change for the test. If you are nervous you can book on to a longer course.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions - off to autotrader to see what they all look like! Have never heard of a some of them.

In terms of doing the trailer test it’s time and not being the best at parking that’s putting me off. Towing round here means driving straight to a venue and able to drive a circle to turn. I’m the person who lets down all the good women drivers...
 
Plenty of combinations for towing a 500kg horse on a B licence - just keep the vehicle GVW as near to 2000kg as poss because that gives more scope for max MAM of a trailer
 
What's it like towing with the Mondeo madamebonnie? About to buy a car, would ideally like to be able to tow with it, but the mpg of 4x4s is serious scary!
 
maya2008 said:
What's it like towing with the Mondeo madamebonnie? About to buy a car, would ideally like to be able to tow with it, but the mpg of 4x4s is serious scary!
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My hubby is convinced we should get a Ford Kuga to tow - if that’s any help. Looks a good option for B+E, but probably to heavy for a B. So if my hubby wants it, he’ll be chauffeur. And if that doesn’t work out, and we get it, I’ll have to do my test. It would mean I can keep my Ford Fiesta... which I can park!!
 
maya2008 said:
What's it like towing with the Mondeo madamebonnie? About to buy a car, would ideally like to be able to tow with it, but the mpg of 4x4s is serious scary!
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Love it. Really nice and stable, economical. Great every day car too. We refer to it as driving the sofa. I inherited it from my parents. Its done nearly 160k now and we'll keep it until it dies.

ROG said:
Why was it 100 over? - did you down plate the trailer?
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The trailer is 1400kg. Mam of the car is 2200kg, its one of the hefty estate versions. I could have down plated the trailer but thought it was worth doing the test.
 
I have just been to Wales and back in my SSanyong Kornado. Took about 5 hours round trip, half of that with 1300ks of trailer on the back. It was empty so more prone to moving about etc. The car didnt even know it was there most of the time and cruised home in about the same time it took me to get there. As small towing 4x4s go its superb. It did about 300 miles on about £40 as well, half towing, so its not bad to run fuel wise.
 
Buckoff901 said:
Sorry to revive an old thread. Could I downplate a ifor 401 to tow with a freelander 2? How does downplating work?
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Yes, depending on the weight of the freelander? Combined with your downplated weight it shouldn’t be over 3500kg. All you do is call ifor and they’ll send a new plate to attach to your chassis.
 
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