Trailers and vehicles to tow them

Paint it Lucky

Paint it Lucky

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 March 2007
Messages
3,587
Location
Surrey
Visit site
I am currently saving up to buy a trailer so I can take my horse out more. I also need to buy a car big enough to tow it with! Can anyone give me an idea of roughly how much I'll need to save and what sort of car/vehicle I would need, I don't want one too big or expensive! Also any advice on good/bad makes of car and or trailer. It is for one 500kg horse.

Thankyou!
smile.gif
 
In my view there is only one safe way to tow a trailer & horse & that is ith a full size 4x4. You need the power & also the weight of the towing vehicle. If you don't have sufficuent weight then you will end up with the trailer pushing you down hills & under braking etc. I have been in that situation & it is very scarey & very dangerous.

As to how much you will need to save, it depends on the age & make you are after. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but that's the way I see it...sorry.
 
Toby, I don't really know much about trailer makes so was hoping you guys could advise me on the best ones! Would like one that will last so am willing to save up a reasonable amount but at the same time I don't want to wait forever (have already waited years and am sick of it), am happy to get one second hand, am I right in thinking wooden floors are undesirable or can they be ok? I have seen quite a few trailers on Ebay for under £1000 but not sure how safe/relaible these would be.
 
We've got an Isuzu 4 x 4 and an Ifor Williams 505. Our trailer has a wooden floor but it is well looked after. My old horse doesn't like the noise of metal floors.
 
I bought a second hand Ifor Williams 510. Unfortunately...rotten floor. Am having it replaced with glavanised steel this weekend, heavier but stronger than aluminium. Wooden floors are OK so long as checked often and looked after. Mine looked fine untill I really investigated.

Ifor Williams are the most popular, I like the Bateson ones as well. The Bateson ones are a bit lighter but the Ifors are more solid, if a bit aged looking when they get older. Towing vehicle wise...yes, a good 4X4 is great. However, I tow with a Mercedes Sprinter van and you don't feel the trailer on the back. I also have a Freelander but though it has more power, you can feel the trailer so I tend not to use it for towing. Vans are better as they are a more similar size and weight to a trailer plus they are designed to haul heavy weights. Only disadvantage is traction on grass. Best 4X4 I think is a landrover Defender 110 but everyone has their favourites. I would look for one with a Gross Weight at least 2000KG - you want a bit extra than you need and don't rely on what the manufacturer says about tow weights. Vauxhall reckon my Astra SRI company car can tow 1500KG.....yeah right. Suicide. Cars are just not designed for the job at all.
 
Painted Lucky - was in a similar position to you a few months ago! luckily, my mum (who drives me to shows - i hav no towing licence
frown.gif
) has a Shogun Sport, perfect for towing. as the money i had to spend on my trailer was all my student loan, i didnt want to spend more than £1500, but after a few days of looking around, i found out that i wasnt goin to get anything with an intact floor and sound history, under 8 years old, for under £2000. Which is when i found out that i could get a brand new Ifor 505 for £3000! this seemed the best option, as that way i knew the floor was fine, it had neevr been in an accident, etc. we use it for just one horse, who also weighs 500kg, and it is doing us just fine!!

just another note tho: if you intend to tow yourself, and if you are under 25, insurance for any 4x4 is going to be huge; i cannot be insured on my mums car til i am 25! have you got a towing licence?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Painted Lucky - was in a similar position to you a few months ago! luckily, my mum (who drives me to shows - i hav no towing licence
frown.gif
) has a Shogun Sport, perfect for towing. as the money i had to spend on my trailer was all my student loan, i didnt want to spend more than £1500, but after a few days of looking around, i found out that i wasnt goin to get anything with an intact floor and sound history, under 8 years old, for under £2000. Which is when i found out that i could get a brand new Ifor 505 for £3000! this seemed the best option, as that way i knew the floor was fine, it had neevr been in an accident, etc. we use it for just one horse, who also weighs 500kg, and it is doing us just fine!!

just another note tho: if you intend to tow yourself, and if you are under 25, insurance for any 4x4 is going to be huge; i cannot be insured on my mums car til i am 25! have you got a towing licence?

[/ QUOTE ]

Quinn direct quoted me £450 TPFT for myself, my wife and my 17 year old daughter on my Pajero. I think that is very reasonable considering I am paying £300 per year TPFT with them for my daughter to be on cover for a Corsa Diesel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top