Which SUV for 3500 kg EquiTrek?

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CrazyDog

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I am thinking of replacing my tow vehicle as it is less reliable than I would like. There are quite a few SUVs for sale that are rated for 3500 kg, but engine size and car gross weight vary dramatically.

Am I better with something bigger and heavier, with more power to tow my huge trailer or should I just trust the car makers?

I want to be as safe as possible on the roads and keeping my rig stable is a priority!
 
Disco
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The only one we would consider for pulling our Equitrek was a kia Sorento. It won JD Power's best towing vehicle several years running, and had the best ability at the time we were buying.

My husband knows Landrovers well as he used to strip em and rebuild them, but would not consider one for towing the horse trailer.

And no, don't trust the car makers. You need a proper 4x4 towing vehicle capable of twoing such a large trailer with horses in it. An estate car or whatever just won't cut it and you'll get into big trouble. The only thing I might tow with an estate, apart from a flatbed or a caravan, is one of those Ifor single trailers with a small horse or pony in it.

Sadly we are now having to sell our 4x4 and trailer and downsize, as we are having our first baby and can't justify the expense of running a 4x4 alongside our other cars; but I do love the equitrek!
 
Daihatsu Fourtrak - ugly as sin but will tow approx 2.5 tonne (possibly even 3 tonne, can't remember now). Didn't even notice Bob & trailer when I towed (for the first time ever).

Ours failed it's MOT as the floor pan had gone by the rear seat belt mounts - we now have a 2 seater Fourtrak as it was too good a tow vehicle to get rid of!
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Another thumbs up for the fourtrak, they are ugly and a bit agricultural but they do a fantastic job, I had mine for years and the only thing that ever needed replacing was the battery!
Landcruiser amazon is another fantastic towing vehicle but they're not cheap and my OH has a nissan navara which he rates quite highly.
 
We have a Shogun and it tows like a train! We about to buy an Equitrek too and now issues there.

Far more relaible than a Disco. Wouldnt touch them (although love them if they were more reliable!)

Go for Japanese everytime - Shogun, Nissan Navara, Toyota Landcruiser (our next 4x4 planned).
 
Unfortunately, the Shogun, Navara, Sorento can't take quite enough weight.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Disco, RR, RR Sport, Landcruiser, can. Some other pricey options are the big VW and Merc which can tow 3500 kg. However, the LandCruiser and Touareg are the heaviest and biggest with massive engines.

Somehow, I feel I'm better off with a big V8 or V10 than with a smaller V6. Also, I've heard that you are better off having a tow vehicle heavier than your loaded trailer. Clearly, I can't do that but some of these vehicles are heavier than others.
 
Landcruiser or Disco - a friend tows the biggest Equitrek (3 horse and living, rear ramp) with a Disco and swears by it.
Another friend who does not have horses but tows trailers of heavy agricultural machinery around the country has used the VW Touareg since it was introduced and would not have anything else. It is a lovely drive and very big and solid. However, he can afford one and I can't!
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Disco! Unless you want to blow your budget on a range rover but discos are great workhorses...very stable, lots of guts. I've had 2 and am now converted to the auto, having thought they were rubbish for towing its actually brilliant!
 
Another vote for the disco. I have had my 1998 disco for 9 years now. It has always been brilliant and tows two big horses (17.1 & 16.0) in an ifor williams 510 easily. It is an automatic too - great for towing - no jerky gear changes!
 
Cant recommend a particular vehicle but I looked into this when deciding whether to buy a horsebox or trailer (went for horsebox) there were few vehicles that were recommended as towing vehicles for horse trailers because many don't have the weight even if they have the pulling power. If you don't have the weight in the tow vehicle you can get the "tail wagging the dog" scenario where the weight of the trailer starts to affect the stability of the tow vehicle esp if things start to go wrong. I bought some books off the BHS website on it - Just had a look and cant find my copies but worth buying IMO.
 
in reality there is very few that can legally tow 3500kg.. landcruisers weigh 3 ton discos a bit less.a lwb is better for towing anyday as helps to stop snaking,,the main concern isnt towing its stopping!!! try find something with abs and traction control...also im not 100% sure but you may well be into tacho territory with the full laden weight but like i said im not sure.. i would go for a landcruiser..big 4.2 engine thats on top of its job so pretty decent on fuel.full time 4wd and fully locking diffs if needed unlike landys..plus lots of gadgets ect and will go forever....
 
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