Which one - A trailer & 4x4 Quesion - cant make my mind up

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FoxhillBelle

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I am currently looking to purchase a 4x4 as replacement to my current vehicle and have narrowed it down to two choices
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A Land Rover Discovery 3 or Freelander 2.

Here are my two options & reasons as to why i cant make my mind up as to which one would be better for me
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If i purchase a Discovery 3, the maximum towing weight (laden) is 3.5 tons. Belle weighs approx 520kgs, This leaves me a great choice of trailers to consider & have seen plenty new & second hand. If i went with this option i would be able to afford resonably aged 4x4 (highish mileage) & a second hand trailer (up to £2000).

If i purchase the Freelander 2, the maximum towing weight is 2 tons, meaning i would need to purchase a light weight trailer for Belle to travel in.

I have found some which un-laden start at 850kgs. Combined weight with Belle in tow should not put me more than 1.5 tons but that is not including the weight of tack, rugs, grooming kit, Water etc & not forgetting me (11 stone, p.s. im on a diet
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), wouldn't of throught this would put me over but i would have to be careful
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If i went with this option i could afford newish 4x4 (up to 2007 with good mileage) but this leaves me a limited options of trailers. I have been struggling to find any lightweight/single horse trailers 2nd hand meaning i would probably have to purchase a new one which can cost up to £3,000 and thats only a budget one
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I prefer the Freelander 2 in terms of size, the Discovery does feel a bit big but i suppose you would get used to it
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I would be very grateful for any of your famous HHO advice, thanking you in advance
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Steer away from the Freelander - they have never had good reviews for towing- and I was always advised that a very lightweight trailer is more liable to "snake". I can't tell you if that is true but the thought alone put me off. The Discovery is a real workhorse and you will know you are completely safe - I never noticed much difference in terms of size when I looked at the Freelander v the Discovery.. However, if are you really looking for something a little shorter, then try the shortwheel base Jeep - this has the same towing ability as the long wheel base but if a little easier on parking - I went onto real 4 x 4 nutters forum to see what they were driving it was Discovery, Jeep and some of the really big Japanese cars.

Plus which, there well might be times when it would be nice to offer a lift and you can't do that if you are that close to the limit and of course, steep hills could be a little interesting..
 
Disco definitely. When I was looking to buy everyone told me to steer clear of Freelanders....
A really good option is the SWB Mitsubishi Shogun... but I ended up with a Toureg which is excellent but very very thirsty on diesel
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depends what trailer you tow - i have a single ifor trailer 501 and i tow that with my freelander and it doesnt even notice it there - it is stable and has never snaked. never had an issue with it - in fairness i used to have a 505 ifor and towed with the freelander with one horse and had no probs - i tow my caravan with it too - nice to drive i have the diesel auto and its a nice size not too long. - i have the 3 door version too
 
What will do a lot will do a little go for the bigger tow car for safety, you and the horses comfort .. reliabilty is likely to be better too if its not straining with its maximum load, leave the freelanders and other pretend 4x4s to the housewifes and hairdressers....
 
Definitely discovery. Mine will tow a richardson ultra, 1 17.2hh warmblood and 1 15.3hh cob. You don't even know you have got it on the back
 
We previously towed an old double trailer with a freelander with no probs. I now tow a single cheval liberte with a ford kuga. The trailer is excellent - super suspension, wider than the single ifor, better spec and was £2600 new including shipping from Poland. For the money you cant beat them and their 1400 fully laden. Their are usually quite a few on e-bay but you do need to watch the price as I found they sometimes went for the same money 2nd hand as you can buy them for new!
 
I say a Disco. You'd be amazed how much stuff I end up taking on a day out. If you're eventing you seem to need a ridiculous amount of changes of clothes and equipment. If I take alot then we both know you'll take twice as much
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Are you doing Longford on the 14th March? Everyone else is going, will be a nice reunion.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What will do a lot will do a little go for the bigger tow car for safety, you and the horses comfort .. reliabilty is likely to be better too if its not straining with its maximum load, leave the freelanders and other pretend 4x4s to the housewifes and hairdressers....

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Totally agree with this!
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You will soon get used to the size of a Disco and your choice of trailer will be unlimited.
 
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