Towing with a van

[Tegan]

Hi

Does anyone tow with a van? How do you find it? We have a Ford Transit 2.0 litre and an Ifor Williams 401. Would be towing a 500kg cob.

Thanks
Tegan

 

[ROG]

Apart from needing a B+E licence you would probably get mistaken for a 'traveller'

 

[ROMANY 1959]

I tow with a 3.5 boss horsebox...and I tow a small caravan for us to sleep in at Polocrosse tournaments...ans I too get mistaken for a traveller!!!! But towing is easy once I had few lessons... And I don't have to reverse too often!!!

 

[sidewaysonacob]

A local horsebox mechanic was towing his son's pony in the trailer behind his work van, with his wife behind pulling a caravan behind a Defender. The police pulled them over on suspicion of being off to an illegal traveller site!

 

[sidewaysonacob]

Someone on here tows with a little campervan - worth google to find the old thread.

 

[Tegan]

Yes, I realise that especially as one cob is coloured. However, it might be our only way of getting out and about this year. Main concern is whether it is a safe set up and also whether the length is a problem. Just checked and van is actually 2.2 litre. It would be my mum driving and she passed her test before 1997.

Thanks
Tegan

 

[Procrastination]

Haven't got my trailer yet but when I do I'll be towing a 505 with a VW transporter. Will be quite a long set up but not all that much longer than a big pickup plus trailer really!

 

[CBFan]

My dad uses his ford transit to tow my 17.2hh gelding and an Ifor 510 with no trouble at all... but yes, we do get mistaken for 'travellers' sometimes... We just laugh it off!

 

[ROMANY 1959]

This is me towing my caravan

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Yes, we sometimes tow our 510 with our Ford Transit AWD. Works for us, van is sign written so it's free advertising!

 

[Tegan]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it could be doable then. Think I have husband convinced as long as shows are on a Sunday when he is not at work. What sort of price is it to have a tow bar fitted?

Thanks
Tegan

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Depends on the vehicle but ours cost £250 to get fitted to our Ford in January. The last towbar I had fitted was in 2005 and that £160 so it's gone up in the past 10 years, lol.

 

[Tegan]

Romany you are very brave towing that! Looks like you are all set for staying away though.

 

[Tegan]

Thanks. The last one we had fitted was £150 but as you say that was at least 10 years ago so thought it would have gone up.

 

[sidewaysonacob]

Not sure if you/husband has to towed before - especially as the van will obscure your view of the trailer I'd highly recommend a short towing course, even if you have the right licence already.

And you'll need a tow hitch cover and a hitch and/or wheel lock for the trailer too of course.

 

[pennyturner]

The police might make assumptions, so it might be worth making sure you have proof of ownership of the trailer and horse in the van!

 

[Tegan]

Thanks. My mum would be driving and has towed lots before but with a Freelander (now dead hence this post). She has not driven the van before though so will practice without trailer and with the trailer empty first. Have had the trailer for years so sorted with the hitch and wheel locks thanks. Good point on proof of ownership. Always travel with horses passports but will take van docs too.

Tegan

 

[CrazyMare]

I've done it before, no real difference from towing with my Terrano.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

It's no problem, DH and i both have V.Movano vans, mine is a horsebox and his a lwb high top.
Both have tow hitches on and he tows a long caravan, i have occasionally stuck a trailer on the back.
Never a prob, but DO make sure you are totally legal as vans towing anything are a fuzz magnet

 

[Orangehorse]

The most important thing is that the tow bar is strong enough, so make sure they know that it is for a horse box and not a little car trailer!

 

[DragonSlayer]

I've towed with my mini-bus turned camper lots of times, never had issues about 'mistaken identities'.....

Guess we will never get over prejudice!

 

[pansymouse]

My friend tows with her work van (she a rug washer and repairer) - she says it's easier than with a car. The van is badged crew cab so there's no issue with mistaken identity.

 

[Turks]

I tow a 511 with a LWB T5 VW Transporter and really like it. You have a better view of the road as you're a bit higher and it has good big mirrors. Ours is a camper and so has more windows. I would struggle on some awkward junctions/manoeuvres without. It wouldn't pull me out of the mud like a proper 4x4 but its coped better than expected. Not much difference size-wise than a lot of 4x4s and I have a living compartment with curtains and blacked out windows to change it - what's not to like!