Towing with an estate car???

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Dizzle

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Is it a total no-no? It would be for a 13.2hh pony and the vehicle would be a BMW 320d. I don’t think it would work but OH think’s it would be ok.
 
Dizzle said:
Is it a total no-no? It would be for a 13.2hh pony and the vehicle would be a BMW 320d. I don’t think it would work but OH think’s it would be ok.
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BMW 320D braked towing limits

Plenty tow trailers including horse trailers with saloons and estates quite safely

If not a 4x4 the you will need to consider the types of surfaces you are towing it on

The licence is another issue - extra rules if towing on a B licence without the B+E
 
The BMW 320 d is about 1350 kerb weight, I try to keep within 85% of that for a safe tow. That's about 1150 kg so if your pony and trailer weigh this or less it should be nice and stable. They are not too bad on damp grass with dsc on.

I have a 330d and that is much heavier at 1790 and we tow a caravan that weighs 1350. I manages well and is very stable, but never towed a trailer and pony so not sure what each weigh tbh.
 
The 85% advice is for caravans only

For all other types of trailer go by the manufacturers recommended towing capacity as they have determined that is a safe weight for their vehicle to tow under normal circumstances

Some vehicles have a towing capacity of 3500 when their kerbweight is 2300 and the max GVW is 2800
There would be no point in have such a towing capacity if the 85% of kerbweight was the rule of thumb !!
 
We tow with a 520D (not an estate). I think you would be fine with one pony with a 320D if your weights work out OK.
 
ROG said:
The 85% advice is for caravans only

For all other types of trailer go by the manufacturers recommended towing capacity as they have determined that is a safe weight for their vehicle to tow under normal circumstances

Some vehicles have a towing capacity of 3500 when their kerbweight is 2300 and the max GVW is 2800
There would be no point in have such a towing capacity if the 85% of kerbweight was the rule of thumb !!
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Thanks, wasn't sure of the differences :)
 
Though I don't want to disagree with ROG, the 85% limit is a safety figure invented by the caravan club but should still be considered whatever your towing, and 100% should be the maximum.

The heavier the trailer is, compared to the towing vehicle then the harder it is for the towing vehicle to have control.

Consider an outfit overtaking or being overtaken, the trailer will be sucked in and out by the draft. If the trailer is far more heavier then the towing vehicle, then the towing vehicle will have more trouble stopping it snake. The tail will wag the dog.
 
I tow with a mondeo 2.2ltr turbo diesel 155bhp and have a Ifor Williams HB403 that is 767kg empty. I can tow 1800kg max but with only one horse in I am no where near that and my mondeo handles it very well.

I'm mindful of the surfaces I travel on and what the ground will be like at my destination but overall its a great compromise of not having to use a 4x4 every day for work and still having a decent vehicle to tow when I need to.
 
wes said:
Though I don't want to disagree with ROG, the 85% limit is a safety figure invented by the caravan club but should still be considered whatever your towing, and 100% should be the maximum.

The heavier the trailer is, compared to the towing vehicle then the harder it is for the towing vehicle to have control.

Consider an outfit overtaking or being overtaken, the trailer will be sucked in and out by the draft. If the trailer is far more heavier then the towing vehicle, then the towing vehicle will have more trouble stopping it snake. The tail will wag the dog.
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While it is a consideration most people still use, it was invented when caravans were single axle as they are typically more prone.

Most horse boxes are twin axle these days and are considered better for towing.

The thing is, even at 85% of towing capacity, if something is going to go wrong, it will. Empty trailers and light caravans can cause just as much snaking as a full one as there are other forces besides weight at play when you are towing.

I dont think 85% rule is a fail safe... Towing within speed limits, taking care of nose weights and balance of load and taking necessary precautions when conditions are unfavourable are better ways of making your outfit safe.
 
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