Towing vehicles...again!!!

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q105

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I'm so sorry about this being raised again, but I've read through a number of the older posts on this subject and am STILL not wholly confident that if I bought something, it would be road legal.

Im a sharer. I currently have a car (Volvo V40 CC) which I have fallen out of love with and, having mentioned to my owner that I was looking to replace it, she suggested that I get something suitable for towing her trailer plus my share horse so that I didn't have to only rely on her for getting out and about.

So, she has the Ifor Williams 510, approx 1000kgs. Horse was weighed a year ago and is 640kg. He's lost weight since then, but for arguments sake....

Having used the towinghorses.co.uk or similar that is repearedly posted on these queries, I considered a Ford Kuga (2.2l diesel auto) or SUV of similar spec.

I will be towing, on average, once every couple of months. I need to use the car to drive me and my pug about, so I want something relatively economical. Pref diesel, pref auto. Don't want to spend much more than £13-4k, prefer low mileage but don't mind age so much.

Am I being realistic? Is this a suitable task for such a vehicle? I'm seriously confuddled by all the different weights, max capacities and all the other stuff I need to consider!!
 
A Kuga can only tow 2.1 tonnes. While theoretically you are within what it can tow, I personally wouldn't.

I would look for something that can tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. Just to be safe and happy.
 
As long as it has a max towing capacity of about 2000kgs or over obviously you can have what you like within reason.

What sort of car would you like??

I always say this, but my Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4 is amazing for towing one horse or two ponies, and tows on and off grass. It does 55-60mpg normal driving and 35mpg towing.

Do you have your towing test or a pre 1997 license??

Fiona
 
[deleted user] said:
A Kuga can only tow 2.1 tonnes. While theoretically you are within what it can tow, I personally wouldn't.

I would look for something that can tow a minimum of 2.8 tonnes. Just to be safe and happy.
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Thank you [deleted user]. Is your response based on the weight being over 75% of max towing capacity of that vehicle? See...still confused!!!
 
Fiona said:
As long as it has a max towing capacity of about 2000kgs or over obviously you can have what you like within reason.

What sort of car would you like??

I always say this, but my Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4 is amazing for towing one horse or two ponies, and tows on and off grass. It does 55-60mpg normal driving and 35mpg towing.

Do you have your towing test or a pre 1997 license??

Fiona
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Can't a Scout only tow 1.7 tonnes?! If so you are surely over that!
 
q105 said:
Thank you [deleted user]. Is your response based on the weight being over 75% of max towing capacity of that vehicle? See...still confused!!!
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Yes that's what I go by....I just think especially when towing our precious cargo I just want to be ultra ok if you know what I mean!
 
Fiona said:
As long as it has a max towing capacity of about 2000kgs or over obviously you can have what you like within reason.

What sort of car would you like??

I always say this, but my Skoda Octavia Scout 4x4 is amazing for towing one horse or two ponies, and tows on and off grass. It does 55-60mpg normal driving and 35mpg towing.

Do you have your towing test or a pre 1997 license??

Fiona
Click to expand...

Thank you Fiona.

I'd like an SUV. I think!! I have had a look at what's available in my price range, I like Honda CVRs and the Ford Kuga, I also like Jeeps and Suzuki GV. But it's more about comfort, economy and spec I suppose.

I've got B+E, I drive Land Rover defenders with trailers regularly (I'd have one if I could, but the price! And economy!), I'm in the army. And I have driven my owner's BMW X5 with both boys in the trailer so I'm happy about driving laden vehicles...
 
q105 said:
Thank you Fiona.

I'd like an SUV. I think!! I have had a look at what's available in my price range, I like Honda CVRs and the Ford Kuga, I also like Jeeps and Suzuki GV. But it's more about comfort, economy and spec I suppose.

I've got B+E, I drive Land Rover defenders with trailers regularly (I'd have one if I could, but the price! And economy!), I'm in the army. And I have driven my owner's BMW X5 with both boys in the trailer so I'm happy about driving laden vehicles...
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My neighbor has got a CRV but its v new and she's only towed with it once so far. I can ask her..

Fiona
 
Batgirl said:
I have an auto diesel Tiguan -2.2 towing capacity and tows brilliantly, definitely economical as a 4X4 goes too.
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Oh my god, I love!!!

Just checked out a few on autotrader, had completely disregarded VW because I assumed I'd be priced out, but actually really good if I accept slightly higher mileage. I'm familiar with VW as Dad has VW vans etc and bro had a Touran. Might be onto something here, thank you. What do you tow with yours, may I ask?
 
q105 said:
Oh my god, I love!!!

Just checked out a few on autotrader, had completely disregarded VW because I assumed I'd be priced out, but actually really good if I accept slightly higher mileage. I'm familiar with VW as Dad has VW vans etc and bro had a Touran. Might be onto something here, thank you. What do you tow with yours, may I ask?
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750kg of horse in a 1000kg trailer :) If you look around you can get some fairly low mileage ones to (I barely missed out on a 30000 miles one for £11000!)
 
Batgirl said:
750kg of horse in a 1000kg trailer :) If you look around you can get some fairly low mileage ones to (I barely missed out on a 30000 miles one for £11000!)
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Just check the individual towing capacity as some models aren't 2.2 (VW autos are one of the rare gearboxes that get INCREASED towing capacity with the auto over manual)
 
I've found a vehicle, the stats on this model (2.2l TDI SE Diesel Auto 4WD) state it can tow 2200kg braked and 750kg unbraked. What's the difference? Presumably the trailer is hitched and the bar gets plugged in to the electrics, does this mean it is 'braked'??? I have no idea!
 
q105 said:
I've found a vehicle, the stats on this model (2.2l TDI SE Diesel Auto 4WD) state it can tow 2200kg braked and 750kg unbraked. What's the difference? Presumably the trailer is hitched and the bar gets plugged in to the electrics, does this mean it is 'braked'??? I have no idea!
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Horse trailers should all be braked...

Fiona
 
Small garden trailer types aren't braked - they're light enough that they'll just reduce speed when the towing vehicle does. Every horsebox you'll come across, especially modern ones, will be braked. What you're looking to tow - about 1650kg - will be easily done with a small SUV type of car, or most estate cars - just be careful which model you buy as engine size and transmission will affect towing capacity. A 2,000kg capacity will be plenty, especially if you're not doing it that often.

I'm guessing you have a B+E licence and won't need to take a test? With a horse that big, you'll struggle with weight on just a B licence and definitely won't be able to do it with a 510.
 
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