want to buy a horse trailer and car to pull but government advice confuses me..

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Oscarpop

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So I passed by driving test in 2015. I’m looking at getting an i for Williams 505 for two horses, being pulled by VW Tiguan. Government advice states that combined MAM is not over 3,500…

would someone be able to explain this to me? I’m so confused!
 
If you passed your test in 2015 you can tow (trailer + horses) max of 3,500kg.
However, maximum a Tiguan can tow is usually 2500kg.
So as long as trailer and horses weigh less than 2,500 you can legally tow using Tiguan on your licence.
If combined weight is more than 2500kg you could legally tow up To max of 3500kg but would need a car capable of towing that eg VW Touareg
 
CMcC said:
If you passed your test in 2015 you can tow (trailer + horses) max of 3,500kg.
However, maximum a Tiguan can tow is usually 2500kg.
So as long as trailer and horses weigh less than 2,500 you can legally tow using Tiguan on your licence.
If combined weight is more than 2500kg you could legally tow up To max of 3500kg but would need a car capable of towing that eg VW Touareg
Click to expand...

This doesn't apply any more. Anyone with a car (B) licence automatically has the towing licence (+E) now with no weight restrictions (other than the car's capacity obviously). The law changed in 2021. New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

OP - all you need to ensure is that the ACTUAL (not maximum) weight of your trailer + horse is less than your Tiguan's towing capacity. You need to either look this up on your V5 (log book) or look up your EXACT model as your towing capacity is affected by engine size, whether your car is an auto or manual, diesel or petrol, BHP, whether it's 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive and several other factors. Even a different (but seemingly equal in all ways) engine can make a difference
This is a useful website Towing Capacity & Tow Car Weight Limit Information but you do need your exact model as the Tiguan can range from 1600kg to 2500kg.

A IW 505 weighs roughly 900kg so with two horses (assuming they're about 500kg each - I'm guessing they won't be much bigger or you'd need a 510) you're looking at towing around 1900kg.
 
Last edited:
Annagain said:
This doesn't apply any more. Anyone with a car (B) licence automatically has the towing licence (+E) now with no weight restrictions (other than the car's capacity obviously). The law changed in 2021. New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

OP - all you need to ensure is that the ACTUAL (not maximum) weight of your trailer + horse is less than your Tiguan's towing capacity. You need to either look this up on your V5 (log book) or look up your EXACT model as your towing capacity is affected by engine size, whether your car is an auto or manual, diesel or petrol, BHP, whether it's 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive and several other factors. Even a different (but seemingly equal in all ways) engine can make a difference
This is a useful website Towing Capacity & Tow Car Weight Limit Information but you do need your exact model as the Tiguan can range from 1600kg to 2500kg.

A IW 505 weighs roughly 900kg so with two horses (assuming they're about 500kg each - I'm guessing they won't be much bigger or you'd need a 510) you're looking at towing around 1900kg.
Click to expand...
Perfect thank you so much
 
Annagain said:
This doesn't apply any more.
Click to expand...

No it blooming doesn't does it, literally weeks after I'd coughed up five hundred quid for lessons and a trailer test.

Annagain said:
Anyone with a car (B) licence automatically has the towing licence (+E) now with no weight restrictions (other than the car's capacity obviously). The law changed in 2021. New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Click to expand...

Goodbye £500! I didn't need you anyway!

......I will still be saying this when I am 75.
 
I think if you want to tow more than that, you need a tacograph. The max towing capacity of the biggest vehicles (eg Discovery) is 3.5t so more than enough for most trailers with two horses, in other words, don't worry about it.
 
The most important consideration when choosing a towing vehicle is the weight you are expecting it to tow.

Weights
When it comes down to vehicle towing capacity every single vehicle has a recommended limit found in the owner’s handbook.
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).
This should also not exceed the car’s maximum towing weight (MTC), which is found in the car’s manual.
Alternatively the vehicle’s gross train weight – which is the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer – is listed on the vehicle identification number (VIM) plate on the car. This is normally found under the bonnet or inside the drivers door.
Remember to allow for the weight of tack, feed and water when calculating the load as this will count towards the maximum towing capacity.
If you prefer to tow with a non 4 x 4 there are lightweight trailers available on the market which will help to bring the gross weight down.
For example the super light Derby from Bateson Trailers has an unladen weight of 675kg. (The standard weight of a trailer is around 860kg).

Licences
Before towing you need to check that you hold the correct licence which depends on when you passed your test.

From 19 January 2013 drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
Small trailers weighing no more than 750kg.
Trailers weighing more than 350kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, with a combined weight of more than 3,500kg you’ll have to pass a further test and get a B + E entitlement on your licence.

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B licence, you can drive either:
A vehicle up to 3.5 tonne or 3.500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4.250kg in total).
A trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total).

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonne MAM.

Breakdown Advice
Standard car breakdown cover won’t cover you if you have livestock on board, so ensure you have the protection you need by taking out an extra policy. PRP Rescue Services offer trailer cover to RAC members which costs £45 a year as well as their independent cover. www.prprescue.com

Terminology
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
The total weight that a vehicle is designed to carry as stated by the manufacturer. It consists of the weight of the vehicle and its load and must not by law be exceeded.

Gross Train Weight (GTW)
The total weight that a vehicle is allowed to move as stated by the manufacturer. It consists of the vehicle’s own Gross Vehicle Weight GVW (see above) and the maximum gross weight of any attached trailer or caravan.
The vehicle’s gross train weight – which is the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer – is listed on the vehicle identification number (VIM) plate on the car. This is normally found under the bonnet or inside the drivers door.

For trailer users, these two weights - GVW and GTW – must be monitored carefully, as the police will prosecute if either the gross train weight or the gross vehicle weight are exceeded, and you will be fined.

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).

Cars Maximun Towing Weight (MTC)
This should also not be exceeded. The car’s maximum towing weight (MTC), is to be found in the car’s manual.

Kerb weight (KW)
Kerb weight is the measure by which you know how heavy a trailer you can safely tow. Confusingly there are two official definitions of kerb weights.

As defined in the Construction and Use regulations (1996), kerb weight is defined as the weight of the car as it leaves the maker with a full tank of fuel, adequate fluids (water, oil etc) for normal operations, plus its standard set of tools and equipment. It does not include the driver’s weight, any passengers or any load.

EU directive 95/48/EC defines kerb weight as the weight of the car as it leaves the manufacturers with a 90 per cent-full fuel tank, all it necessary fluids for normal operations, a nominal driver weight of 68kg and 7kg of luggage

In practice you should never tow a trailer whose maximum gross weight is heavier than the car’s kerb weight. All industry bodies recommend you ideally never tow a trailer who’s actual laden weight is no more than 85 per cent of the car’s kerb weight.

Towing Vehicles VIM Plate (VIM)
This is a metal plate which is normally found under the vehicles bonnet or inside the driver’s door and gives the vehicles gross train weight.

Trailers Information Plate
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).

Warning
Remember you are towing a live animal which can move and thus move its weight making the trailer unstable so keep well within the towing limits so that the trailer does not become unstable.

Where to find the details
Vehicle GVW (To be found in door frame or bonnet)
Trailer MAM (Silver plate on A frame of trailer)
GVW + MAM and if greater than 3,500 then can’t tow.
 
I would suggest you get something with a bit more power if you think you might ever tow 2. I've got a VW Touareg and it tows like an absolute dream! It pulls upto 3500kg and you'd not know you are pulling anything, it's fabulous! Basically a bit bigger than a VW Tiguan
 
PeterNatt said:
The most important consideration when choosing a towing vehicle is the weight you are expecting it to tow.

Weights
When it comes down to vehicle towing capacity every single vehicle has a recommended limit found in the owner’s handbook.
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).
This should also not exceed the car’s maximum towing weight (MTC), which is found in the car’s manual.
Alternatively the vehicle’s gross train weight – which is the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer – is listed on the vehicle identification number (VIM) plate on the car. This is normally found under the bonnet or inside the drivers door.
Remember to allow for the weight of tack, feed and water when calculating the load as this will count towards the maximum towing capacity.
If you prefer to tow with a non 4 x 4 there are lightweight trailers available on the market which will help to bring the gross weight down.
For example the super light Derby from Bateson Trailers has an unladen weight of 675kg. (The standard weight of a trailer is around 860kg).

Licences
Before towing you need to check that you hold the correct licence which depends on when you passed your test.

From 19 January 2013 drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
Small trailers weighing no more than 750kg.
Trailers weighing more than 350kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, with a combined weight of more than 3,500kg you’ll have to pass a further test and get a B + E entitlement on your licence.

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B licence, you can drive either:
A vehicle up to 3.5 tonne or 3.500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4.250kg in total).
A trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total).

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonne MAM.

Breakdown Advice
Standard car breakdown cover won’t cover you if you have livestock on board, so ensure you have the protection you need by taking out an extra policy. PRP Rescue Services offer trailer cover to RAC members which costs £45 a year as well as their independent cover. www.prprescue.com

Terminology
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
The total weight that a vehicle is designed to carry as stated by the manufacturer. It consists of the weight of the vehicle and its load and must not by law be exceeded.

Gross Train Weight (GTW)
The total weight that a vehicle is allowed to move as stated by the manufacturer. It consists of the vehicle’s own Gross Vehicle Weight GVW (see above) and the maximum gross weight of any attached trailer or caravan.
The vehicle’s gross train weight – which is the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer – is listed on the vehicle identification number (VIM) plate on the car. This is normally found under the bonnet or inside the drivers door.

For trailer users, these two weights - GVW and GTW – must be monitored carefully, as the police will prosecute if either the gross train weight or the gross vehicle weight are exceeded, and you will be fined.

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).

Cars Maximun Towing Weight (MTC)
This should also not be exceeded. The car’s maximum towing weight (MTC), is to be found in the car’s manual.

Kerb weight (KW)
Kerb weight is the measure by which you know how heavy a trailer you can safely tow. Confusingly there are two official definitions of kerb weights.

As defined in the Construction and Use regulations (1996), kerb weight is defined as the weight of the car as it leaves the maker with a full tank of fuel, adequate fluids (water, oil etc) for normal operations, plus its standard set of tools and equipment. It does not include the driver’s weight, any passengers or any load.

EU directive 95/48/EC defines kerb weight as the weight of the car as it leaves the manufacturers with a 90 per cent-full fuel tank, all it necessary fluids for normal operations, a nominal driver weight of 68kg and 7kg of luggage

In practice you should never tow a trailer whose maximum gross weight is heavier than the car’s kerb weight. All industry bodies recommend you ideally never tow a trailer who’s actual laden weight is no more than 85 per cent of the car’s kerb weight.

Towing Vehicles VIM Plate (VIM)
This is a metal plate which is normally found under the vehicles bonnet or inside the driver’s door and gives the vehicles gross train weight.

Trailers Information Plate
As a basic guide the unladen weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the heaviest horse(s) to be towed, must not exceed the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) which is found in the trailer’s handbook or on the information panel (metal plate fixed on to the trailer).

Warning
Remember you are towing a live animal which can move and thus move its weight making the trailer unstable so keep well within the towing limits so that the trailer does not become unstable.

Where to find the details
Click to expand...

Most of that is unnecessary and confusing information, best just to find out your chosen vehicle's maximum towing capacity and go from there (though it's not recommended to load up yo the max towing capacity with a live load, the 85% of kurb weight applies to caravans which are a completely different animal to a horse trailer).
 
marmalade76 said:
Most of that is unnecessary and confusing information, best just to find out your chosen vehicle's maximum towing capacity and go from there (though it's not recommended to load up yo the max towing capacity with a live load, the 85% of kurb weight applies to caravans which are a completely different animal to a horse trailer).
Click to expand...
Not to mention incorrect - the section on Licences anyway. The law changed in 2021 and you no longer need to take a test to have the B+E

Widgeon - the lessons will never go to waste, although I get what you mean.
 
I just had a towing lesson because not having towed before I wanted some for confidence. And it was well worth it! Not only can I reverse park a trailer now, but I also know how to drive to give my horse the best possible ride. How to perform an emergency break, how to break considering the horse , how to do corners etc. I'm so glad I didn't just go for it and had this 2 hour lesson first, although I've been driving for 15 years.
I'd strongly recommend some lessons and ideally from someone who knows how to tow a horse, not just a trailer.
 
Widgeon said:
No it blooming doesn't does it, literally weeks after I'd coughed up five hundred quid for lessons and a trailer test.



Goodbye £500! I didn't need you anyway!

......I will still be saying this when I am 75.
Click to expand...
Snap. Same here, plus I got nervous and didn't pass first time, so more expense!!! 20 years I plucked up the courage to take that test, weeks later it got scrapped 😩
 
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