Towing with an Auto Freelander 2?

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Embob1

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Hi :)

I am new to towing/have never towed before and as I have a 'new' license, I will need to take a trailer test. I'm looking to set myself a goal of passing the test and having my own trailer by the end of next year - thankfully my other half's dad is a HGV instructor so already have an instructor sorted!

I have an automatic 57 plate Freelander 2 and I'm currently in the process of getting quotes to have a tow bar fitted and looking around at trailers to get an idea of cost.

I have owned the car for coming up to six months now and in this time have looked into reviews of towing with it, I have seen mixed reviews - mainly due to it being an auto, although lots of people have said they prefer it.

Does anyone here have a Freelander 2 and tow with it or have done previously? I have been speaking with a Land Rover specialist and have raised the question of suitability to tow (waiting for a response) but it would be great to have some first hand feedback!

Thank you, Emily :)
 
I towed with a manual freelander 2 which had a 2.2 tonne tow capacity. Often automatics have a lower weight capacity. You need to find out what that is on your current car and then work accordingly.
 
Freelander have a very small towing capacity compared to others on the market, obviously depends on your budget and size of horse as to how much of an issue this will be

On the plus side because they are quite dinky if you were to chose a smallish trailer and smallish horse then you might come in under the 3.5 ton limit and thus not have to do the extra licence but ROG will hopefully be along in a bit to explain this a bit better

I did do my extra licence and found the tuition really useful for reversing and general anxiety management
 
Towing one horse or two ?

As you already have a B+E (LGV) instructor then I suspect all you will need to pay for is the £115 test fee
 
Depends what weight your towing (horse and trailer). I tow with a manual Freelander 2 and if I'm honest I wouldn't tow too much with it. It does the job fine for towing my 15.3hh around, but finds my 17.1hh WB hard work (to the point I wouldn't generally ever tow him) and thats with a lightweight Bateson trailer. I would think an auto would struggle more... I love my Freelander and it does the job fine but I think I'd prefer something a little more gutsy next time just because I may eventually want to tow my mare and my sons little pony.
 
I tow a Bateson with a manual Freelander 2 and haven't had any issues so far. I once had to do an emergency stop when a learner driver pulled out on me and thankfully we did stop on time! However I only tow one horse and wouldn't tow a heavier trailer such as an Ifor williams, and likewise I don't go huge distances with it. Great economical option for an every day car plus towing vehicle though!
 
Thank you everyone for the responses :) it is all very new to me and I'm trying to do as much research before going ahead with it for the exact reasons as above - so much to consider and I want to make sure I'm not going to end up putting too much strain on the car or, of course, putting the horses in danger by towing with a car that just can't hack it.

I have been looking at the Ifor Williams 511 trailers, purely because I know people with them, have heard good things and generally just like the trailer.

Main horse to travel is a 14.2hh lightweight cobby type but likely to want to take another one of similar size at the same time. Can't see myself ever doing long distance, only travel to small local shows or sponsored rides as I don't compete, probably looking at 30-45 minute journeys as a max with no motorways/high speed roads.

Thank you for the links ROG I will have a look through - some bedtime reading!
 
Embob1 said:
Thank you everyone for the responses :) it is all very new to me and I'm trying to do as much research before going ahead with it for the exact reasons as above - so much to consider and I want to make sure I'm not going to end up putting too much strain on the car or, of course, putting the horses in danger by towing with a car that just can't hack it.

I have been looking at the Ifor Williams 511 trailers, purely because I know people with them, have heard good things and generally just like the trailer.

Main horse to travel is a 14.2hh lightweight cobby type but likely to want to take another one of similar size at the same time. Can't see myself ever doing long distance, only travel to small local shows or sponsored rides as I don't compete, probably looking at 30-45 minute journeys as a max with no motorways/high speed roads.

Thank you for the links ROG I will have a look through - some bedtime reading!
Click to expand...

Having a HB 511 will mean you need to be towing under B+E licence rules as the empty weight is too high to get the plated MAM down enough for B licence towing with a 4x4
 
ROG said:
Having a HB 511 will mean you need to be towing under B+E licence rules as the empty weight is too high to get the plated MAM down enough for B licence towing with a 4x4
Click to expand...

Oops, just realised the links are in your signature, it looked as though they were in the post on my phone!
Am prepared to take the test for B+E and other half's dad will help prepare/teach me for this. Just need to start working out weights and limits for my car - minefield!
 
I tow with an auto F2 - I love it. I have an HB10 and take one ~500kg horse. I think I would be over the limit with two, but it barely notices the trailer with one.
 
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