Welcome to HHO Towing Clinic

[joolie]

Hi

Long time (and very confused!) lurker.

Looking to tow with just a B licence an Ifor 401 or 403 single horse trailer.
Vehicle: Freelander 2005 2.0 TD4 (3 door, SWB)

Max tow weight 1800 breaked
Min kerb weight 1640
GVW 2500

Think from what I have read this is legal with a downplated trailer....?

Thanks

 

[ROG]

Hi

Long time (and very confused!) lurker.

Looking to tow with just a B licence an Ifor 401 or 403 single horse trailer.
Vehicle: Freelander 2005 2.0 TD4 (3 door, SWB)

Max tow weight 1800 breaked
Min kerb weight 1640
GVW 2500

Think from what I have read this is legal with a downplated trailer....?

Thanks

WELCOME

For B licence towing:-

If you had this model ....
FREELANDER 1 (2001 - 2005)
Unladen/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2040
Towing = 1800
.... then you could have a Max trailer plated MAM of 1460 kgs

BUT with the model you have given at 2500 GVW it means the max trailer plated MAM can only be 1000 kgs and as they weight about 770 kgs empty that will only leave 230 kgs for the load/horse

EDIT/ADD - it seems like you have got a late 2005 Freelander 1 and they were upgraded to the freelander 2 specifications which made them heavier - they changed to the freelander 2 in very late 2005 or early 2006

 

[joolie]

Many thanks....

Interestingly enough the 5 door/long wheelbase has a lower GVW (the one you have quoted) than the 3 door I am looking at.

Hmmm. Are you aware of any other 4x4 options that would be legal? Not keen on 2WD with muddy fields!

Thanks again

 

[joolie]

WELCOME

EDIT/ADD - it seems like you have got a late 2005 Freelander 1 and they were upgraded to the freelander 2 specifications which made them heavier - they changed to the freelander 2 in very late 2005 or early 2006

Yes - the one I have my eye on is a 55 plate so that may expain it!

 

[ROG]

Many thanks....

Interestingly enough the 5 door/long wheelbase has a lower GVW (the one you have quoted) than the 3 door I am looking at.

Hmmm. Are you aware of any other 4x4 options that would be legal? Not keen on 2WD with muddy fields!

Thanks again

Here are a few suggestions -

IFOR HB403 LIGHT HORSE TRAILER

Contact trailer manufacturer to have trailer downplated if needed (free or very little cost)

Toyota Rav 4 (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1425
GVW = 1785
Max towing weight = 1500
Max trailer plated MAM = 1425 kgs

MOST POPULAR
Nissan X trail (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1515
GVW = 2050
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

Kia Sportage (AWD) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1678
GVW = 2140
Towing = 1600
Max trailer plated MAM = 1360 kgs

FREELANDER 1 (2001 - 2005)
Unladen/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2040
Towing = 1800
Max trailer plated MAM = 1460 kgs

SUBARU FORRESTER (4X4)
Unladen/kerb = 1465 minimum
GVW = 2050 maximum
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

Skoda Yeti (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Kerb = 1530
GVW = 2070
Towing capacity = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1430 kgs


Deduct trailer unladen weight from max trailer plated weight to get maximum load/horse weight for the trailer
Example:- Nissan (1450) minus IFOR HB403 (770 appx) = load/horse 680 kgs

 

[joolie]

That's brilliant - thanks again for your help!

 

[Shutterbug]

ROG thank you for all your help over the last few weeks I have today collected my 2003 Nissan Terrano 2.7 TDI in a lovely reddish burgandy next purchase.......horsebox

 

[Renvers]

Thanks for the links ROG

 

[ROG]

ROG thank you for all your help over the last few weeks I have today collected my 2003 Nissan Terrano 2.7 TDI in a lovely reddish burgandy next purchase.......horsebox

That's brilliant - thanks again for your help!

Thanks for the links ROG

Glad to be of help

 

[Overgrown Pony]

Hi ROG

Hi there

Thanks so much for this.

1. License = B
2. Unladen car = kerb weight = 1557kg (states minimum)
3. GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight = 2180kg
4. Tow capacity = 2000kg
5. Trailer MAM = 1400kg
6. Trailer unladen weight = 600kg

This is for a brand new Cheval Liberte GOLD ONE (mare & foal trailer) which is downplated, being towed by a 2009 Ford Mondeo 2ltr TDCi 140bhp. Horse is around 600kg tops.

Thank you

 

[ROG]

Hi ROG

Hi there

Thanks so much for this.

1. License = B
2. Unladen car = kerb weight = 1557kg (states minimum)
3. GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight = 2180kg
4. Tow capacity = 2000kg
5. Trailer MAM = 1400kg
6. Trailer unladen weight = 600kg

This is for a brand new Cheval Liberte GOLD ONE (mare & foal trailer) which is downplated, being towed by a 2009 Ford Mondeo 2ltr TDCi 140bhp. Horse is around 600kg tops.

Thank you

ILLEGAL FOR B LICENCE TOWING
But easy to remedy - Down plate trailer to 1300 MAM


After down plating to 1300 MAM ..... this will be legal for B licence towing
Vehicle GVW 2180 added to trailer MAM 1300 = 3480 which is less than the 3500 maximum allowed
1300 MAM is less than the 1557 kerbweight
Trailer unladen weight 600 added to horse weight 600 = 1200 which is under the 1300 MAM

 

[Overgrown Pony]

Cheers ROG! Much appreciated

 

[flaxen]

Hi, would this work

1. License = B
2. Unladen car = kerb weight = 1400kg (states minimum)
3. GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight = 1950kg
4. Tow capacity = 1850kg
5. Trailer MAM = 1450kg
6. Trailer unladen weight = 750kg

This is just a question if it is legal. Grand Vitara, and downplated sinclair.

Thanks.

 

[ROG]

Hi, would this work

1. License = B
2. Unladen car = kerb weight = 1400kg (states minimum)
3. GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight = 1950kg
4. Tow capacity = 1850kg
5. Trailer MAM = 1450kg
6. Trailer unladen weight = 750kg

This is just a question if it is legal. Grand Vitara, and downplated sinclair.

Thanks.

Nearly legal but not quite .....

Under current law, which may be scrapped in Jan 2013, the trailer MAM cannot be more than the vehicle kerbweight
In your senario the trailer MAM is 50 kgs too much

Down plate trailer to 1400 and its then legal

Would the authorities bother to prosecute if you left it at 1450? - I doubt it
Would the insurance company refuse to cover in an incident? - probably yes

 

[ROG]

2. Unladen car = kerb weight = 1400kg (states minimum)

6. Trailer unladen weight = 750kg

Small point of law - any unbraked trailer cannot be more than half of the kerb weight so number 6 should be 700 kgs max

 

[Jonty]

I have a Nissan Elgrand 3.2 turbo diesel. It is an import from Japan and is a switchable 4WD 8 seater people carrier. The VIN plate has no information regarding weights (towing or otherwise) and visiting a weighbridge has revealed a kerb weight of 2220 kg.
There is plenty of dialogue on the owners websites regarding towing but little that is concrete information. Most people seem to use the 85% of the kerb weight rule recommended by the caravan club.
Nissan won't supply any weight information for the vehicle
I would like to tow a large (1500kg UW) tri axle trailer carrying a load in the region of 800kg.
Is there any way I can determine the GVW of the vehicle in order to ascertain the GTW and be certain of being within the law?
I have a B+E licence and have had since 1981.
Many Thanks.
Jonty

 

[ROG]

I have a Nissan Elgrand 3.2 turbo diesel. It is an import from Japan and is a switchable 4WD 8 seater people carrier. The VIN plate has no information regarding weights (towing or otherwise) and visiting a weighbridge has revealed a kerb weight of 2220 kg.
There is plenty of dialogue on the owners websites regarding towing but little that is concrete information. Most people seem to use the 85% of the kerb weight rule recommended by the caravan club.
Nissan won't supply any weight information for the vehicle
I would like to tow a large (1500kg UW) tri axle trailer carrying a load in the region of 800kg.
Is there any way I can determine the GVW of the vehicle in order to ascertain the GTW and be certain of being within the law?
I have a B+E licence and have had since 1981.
Many Thanks.
Jonty

WELCOME
ALL I CAN FIND SO FAR

Elgrand forum in OZ

 

[Jonty]

Thanks Rog, much appreciated.
Regards.
Jonty

 

[flying solo]

Hi Rog, i am looking to tow a Sinclair trailer 750kg unladen, 2000kg max with a Santa fe 2.7 v6 2002 on a b licence although having lessons at the moment so will be doing my b&e shortly. Am I legal? It's all so confusing

 

[ROG]

Hi Rog, i am looking to tow a Sinclair trailer 750kg unladen, 2000kg max with a Santa fe 2.7 v6 2002 on a b licence although having lessons at the moment so will be doing my b&e shortly. Am I legal? It's all so confusing

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0 TD 5DR 2002
Gross vehicle weight 2380 kg
Max towing weight (braked) 2300 kg
Minimum kerb weight 1718 kg

This would definitely need to be driven under B+E licence rules either full or provisional

With a GVW of 2380 that only leaves 1120 for the trailer MAM

If you have the trailer downplated to 1120 for B licence towing and deducted the unladen weight of 750 then that would only leave 370 for the horse/load !!!!!

 

[flying solo]

Would fit the Shetland for pony club then haha thanks ROG

Will keep practising my reversing :-(

 

[Sharpie]

Hello, I am totally new to the world of towing.... ARGH lol

I am a B license holder
I am selling my little lorry as I have been gifted a IW 505 trailer and looking to get a 4x4 that will tow the trailer and 1 horse only.

Now I have looked at hundreds of 4x4's but am still none the wiser as to which will do the job best. I will happily take my towing test if needs be BUT after reading through many of these posts on the subject I am intrigued at the idea of avoiding the extra expense of a towing test if i can? I however am very cautious of legal requirements.

Is there a 4x4 + IW505 tailer combination that would leave me enough capacity to carry one 550kg approx horse on a B license??

Appreciate anybodies help....really new to these sums lol

 

[ROG]

Hello, I am totally new to the world of towing.... ARGH lol

I am a B license holder
I am selling my little lorry as I have been gifted a IW 505 trailer and looking to get a 4x4 that will tow the trailer and 1 horse only.

Now I have looked at hundreds of 4x4's but am still none the wiser as to which will do the job best. I will happily take my towing test if needs be BUT after reading through many of these posts on the subject I am intrigued at the idea of avoiding the extra expense of a towing test if i can? I however am very cautious of legal requirements.

Is there a 4x4 + IW505 tailer combination that would leave me enough capacity to carry one 550kg approx horse on a B license??

Appreciate anybodies help....really new to these sums lol

Scrub last answer -

What weight is the horse?

 

[Sharpie]

Oh thats VERY helpful!! thank you.

I have been gifted a IW 505 though not 510? does that make any difference as I know the 505 is quite a bit smaller than the 510?

AND sorry but what is "downplated", sorry to make you repeat yourself over and over lol

and finally would a Hyundai Tucson be a suitable vehicle aswell as the brill list you gave me?

Thank you

 

[ROG]

Oh thats VERY helpful!! thank you.

I have been gifted a IW 505 though not 510? does that make any difference as I know the 505 is quite a bit smaller than the 510?

AND sorry but what is "downplated", sorry to make you repeat yourself over and over lol

and finally would a Hyundai Tucson be a suitable vehicle aswell as the brill list you gave me?

Thank you

Sorry last answer not correct so editted post

505 is 920 kgs unladen and I think about 2600 kgs plated MAM

Down plating the MAM is required for B licence towing and that is done by contacting Ifor Williams - cost = very little or none

What weight is horse ?

 

[Sharpie]

I would want to give 520kg min for horse if poss?

Thank you

 

[ROG]

I would want to give 520kg min for horse if poss?

Thank you

OK let me have another go and get it right this time ..... LOL

The trailer is 920 empty
The horse is say 530
That totals 1450 without anything else being put in the trailer so be careful with what comes next regarding weights ...

Contact trailer manufacturer to have trailer downplated if needed (free or very little cost)

Nissan X trail (4X4) with these specifications/dimensions
Unladen/kerb = 1515
GVW = 2050
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs

FREELANDER 1 (2001 - 2005)
Unladen/kerb = 1500
GVW = 2040
Towing = 1800
Max trailer plated MAM = 1460 kgs

SUBARU FORRESTER (4X4)
Unladen/kerb = 1465 minimum
GVW = 2050 maximum
Towing = 2000
Max trailer plated MAM = 1450 kgs


Deduct trailer unladen weight from max trailer plated weight to get maximum load/horse weight for the trailer
Example:- Nissan (1450) minus IFOR HB505 (920 appx) = load/horse 530 kgs

 

[ROG]

and finally would a Hyundai Tucson be a suitable vehicle

No

That has a GVW of 2210 so only leaves a max 1290 for the trailer MAM

2210+1290=3500 which is the max for B licence towing

 

[Sharpie]

Just looking into the right vehicle now, so tricky to make sure your within limits... :/

 

[Sharpie]

So im really best off with a freelander, rav4, suzuki vitara type vehicle? Only ive heard they can be pretty lame at towing? :/