Towing vehicle confusion!

[Starlight22]

Hello ? my old 3.5 horsebox has died and this time I’m considering a trailer instead as I need a 4x4 for work.
Ive never towed before?
Would something like a Mitsubishi ASX with a tow capacity of 1,200 work, I have a 600kg horse and I guess I’d go for an ifor Williams trailer?
ideally wouldn’t like a massive fuel guzzling car, lol. sorry if they’re silly questions I’ve been searching the internet and I can’t find anything in simple terms that’s I understand, thank you

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Have a look on this thread, I've found it very helpful.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...o-towing-clinic.490195/page-124#post-14308486

Tow capacity of 1,200kg isn't going to be enough. My friend had a car that could tow 2,200kg and even with one horse it didn't feel like enough power up hills, muddy ground etc.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

No, you need minimum 2,000kg (2ton) ideally.

Ifor Williams trailers are usually about 900kg to 1000kg empty, then add the horse. Mitsubishi Outlanders are suppose to be good.

 

[ROG]

You will also need to hold a B+E licence

 

[Starlight22]

Thank you! I’ll look at stronger vehicles.
yes, I will look into a training place for the license. I’m guessing I’ll need to buy the car first though, my license is automatic only which probably makes it harder
Many thanks for your replies

 

[ROG]

How about this combo using your current B licence
Skoda Octavia 4X4
GVW 2100
Max tow 2000

Bateson Derby trailer
MAM 1700 but will need to be down plated to 1400 to conform to B licence towing laws (2100+1400=3500)
Empty 675
Max load at 1400 = 725 so plenty for your 600 horse

 

[Starlight22]

Wouldn’t I still need to take a trailer test to tow though? I only passed in 2017.
The Skoda looks great, definitely one I’ll look into
Thank you

 

[ROG]

Wouldn’t I still need to take a trailer test to tow though? I only passed in 2017.
The Skoda looks great, definitely one I’ll look into
Thank you

No B+E licence needed

For more info see post number 3000 of the HHO TOWING CLINIC - link below in my signature

 

[Muddywellies]

If you're planning on commuting using your towing vehicle, after road tax and fuel, you may find it cheaper to get your 3.5t back on the road and have a little runaround for daily use. You'll be surprised at the fuel consumption of large vehicles if you're using them everyday commuting.

 

[Gloi]

I'm currently towing with a Volvo V70 and a single trailer and you hardly know there is anything behind you even on steep hills. I used to tow with a 2L Xantia and that coped fine though not with the same ease as the Volvo does.

 

[Starlight22]

Yes ideally I’d keep to my little car and get my 3.5 fixed but I work as an equine dental technician and my poor car is really struggling to cope with some yards driveways and mud in general ? I’m hoping there’s something between powerful enough and still kind of economical, may have to compromise and get a more juicy car

 

[Annagain]

You can tow without doing the test but it makes it more complicated. You can tow up a maximum of 3500kg which is made up of the car's Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and the trailer's Maximum Authorised Mass. As Rog mentioned above something with a GVW of 2100kg would allow you to tow a trailer with a MAM of 1400kg. Most have a MAM greater than this but you can downplate them to bring them within the limit. All this requires is asking the manufacturer for a new plate with a reduce MAM on it. It usually costs about £50.

This does mean you limit the weight you put on them (you can't exceed the MAM) so for example a single IW weighs 767kg. If you down plate it to 1400kg you can only put 623kg of horse on it. This would be close to the limit for you but there are a couple of light trailers out there or suitable cars with a lower GVW that would let you downplate to 1500kg to give you a bit more leeway. The only other thing to consider is that the ACTUAL (not MAM) weight of trailer + horse can't exceed the car's towing capacity. This isn't usually a problem though as most 4x4 would have greater capacity than any weight the 3500kg limit would require.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Yes ideally I’d keep to my little car and get my 3.5 fixed but I work as an equine dental technician and my poor car is really struggling to cope with some yards driveways and mud in general ? I’m hoping there’s something between powerful enough and still kind of economical, may have to compromise and get a more juicy car

Skoda Octavia 4x4 (we have one) would do the job very well as long as the ride height is high enough for your needs. A more SUV type soft roader will have more ground clearance for rutted tracks.

 

[Starlight22]

Hello! I’m having a look at Škoda Octavian but one I’ve seen that I like is an older (2007) Nissan X-Trail 4x4. An ifor Williams 505 is for sale for a good price near me. Would these two be ok for my 600kg mare, I assume I need to take the extra test though? Thanks all x

 

[doodle]

I have an x trail. In fact I am on my third. (Plus there are 2 more at it yard) It is perfect for the job I want. It tows 2.2 tonnes so can only take one horse which is also perfect as I have one horse and don’t want to give lifts! Trailer is approx 1 tonne.

One thing to check is the wheel arches. In older models they are quick to rust. My first one did this but was actually a relatively quick and cheek fix in the body shop.