Who tows a horse trailer with a non-4x4?

C

cp1980

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 May 2005
Messages
585
Location
Birmingham (Lancs originally)
Visit site
Just wondered how many people tow their horse around using a vehicle that isn't a 4x4 and what you use.

It would be interesting to see if there are any particular non-4x4 vehicles that are particularly good at towing, or what the smallest vehicle is that someone has used with success (nightmare drives/cockups/accidents disqualify ;-) )

I noticed German police horses are pulled around using a small minibus/MPV van, for example. Also seen large saloon or estate cars used. I think I once saw a medium sized sporty Alfa Romeo used to tow a horse in a large trailer!
 
i have used ford transits and a mercedes spinter before, both were good tow vehicles....
 
My dad uses his galaxy to pull our rice trailer (which is heavier than ifor williams' etc) with my 15.2 in it, his car doesnt seem to have any problems as long as we take it steady, also we try and keep the weight in the car to a minimum so a seperate car goes with all the tack etc in it.
Also my aunty pulls an ifor in her ford focus with my cousins pony in & that tows ok as far as i no.
 
Not that I have a trailer now, but years ago when I had ponies my mum and dad used to use a volvo 340 to pull the trailer and we also had a skoda (don't laugh lol) for a little while, can't remember which one but quite a big one. Then we started to use dad's work van as he used to do the photographs on the shows, but the volvo used to be fine for towing even on the hilly narrow devon lanes!!!
 
The Ford Galaxy is a relatively heavy car but it is insanely dangerous to tow with something as light as a Focus - it is likely a Focus would be unable to recover if the laden trailer began to snake. The engine may seem up to the job of towing but it is a disaster waiting to happen. The load should not exceed 85% of the weight of the towing vehicle. The following website may be helpful:

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm
 
I (or my Dad) tows the box with my Renault Scenic MPV. We can only tow the pony in it though, the horse is too heavy
smile.gif
 
In my defence CP & P, She does not do this often & never for long distances & yes it is a pony. They also tow with a 4x4 truck So only ever with the focus if needs must. Shes not stupid to take the big risk of long journeys with more than 1 pony in with the focus.
Thanks for the link,shall go have a look.
 
I used to tow with a rover 75 estate, which has a good towing capacity. Only my 13.2 pony and in a really lightweight bahill trailer though - we had the weights checked. Wouldnt have risked anything else though. Now have a 6.5t lorry for mega cob!
 
I've towed with my Audi A8 with no problems but I am a bit of an "old lady" driver when I'm towing and I don't like it very much....
frown.gif
 
This site is excellent for working out suitable towing vehicles!

http://www.whattowcar.com/select.php

I have towed using an old Rover 800 series and a lightweight Bahill trailer with one small horse. It towed fine.
smile.gif
It can be done, but you need to research carefully. It's not just about the kerbweights and maximum towing weights, etc. You need to check that the engine will have enough torque. The Caravan and Camping Club write some excellent reviews on tow cars.

Sue
 
[ QUOTE ]
Used a ford transit a few times - looks a little bit pikey tho!

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to have a transit too until the pikeys nicked it
frown.gif

It was great for everything horsey - collecting feed, haylage, sleeping in/camping at shows...the list is endless. Gutted really as it was only insured for 3rd party and I thought it was for theft too..but i didn't read my policy...
frown.gif
 
I used to tow a bahill with one 16hh tb up using a sierra 2.9i V6 estate. I was never happy, it did start to move about over 40mph. Got a lorry to replace it because it scared me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I used to tow a bahill with one 16hh tb up using a sierra 2.9i V6 estate. I was never happy, it did start to move about over 40mph. Got a lorry to replace it because it scared me.

[/ QUOTE ]

That suprises me, but I suppose back then Bahill trailers were not half as well designed as more modern trailers and cars these days are usually heavier than they used to be (a VW Golf estate weighs almost as much as many medium-sized 4x4s)
 
I tow with my nissan primera - 2 litre TD diesel - I have a very light trailer and one LW cob so am within the weight limits as it comes to less than 1100 k.

I do drive very carefully, engine is more than capable and the trailer handles well.

However, I have to be careful about the venues I go to - no deep muddy fields and never drive if it is icy or windy.

The larger saloon/estate cars can tow but you do need to carefully work out the weight.
 
I used to tow with a Mercedes E280. A fantatsic tow car but a bit light for a really big trailer and more then one horse. They are rear wheel drive and it really helps. Additionally I have towed with a Vauxhall Omega (not made now) but second hand values are good at the mo. The TD is the one to go for.
 
You shouldnt tow a trailer and horse greater than what the car is capable off!! Its unsafe and can invalidate your insurance. The braked towing capacity should be in the car's handbook, otherwise enquire at your local dealers.

My 16.3 horse is 750 kg, 800 kg in the summer and with a 511 trailer, a car would not cope with this combined weight.

My Jeep has a towing capacity of 2,500 kgs so I could take another horse if it was 400 kg or less.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You shouldnt tow a trailer and horse greater than what the car is capable off!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely!

[ QUOTE ]

My 16.3 horse is 750 kg, 800 kg in the summer and with a 511 trailer, a car would not cope with this combined weight.


[/ QUOTE ]

I guess some very large estates or MPVs should be able to cope. I think a Ford Galaxy has a towing limit of 2000 kgs and weights not much less.
 
I tow with a 2.0tdci Ford Mondeo. It's the 130bhp, 6-speed engine and has loads of torque. Has a stated towing capacity of 1800kg.

I tow my LW 15.2hh mare in a IW401 (mare and foal/single horse) trailer and it makes light work of it. Has been voted top tow car by the caravan club in previous years and is economical when not towing. Never had any scary moments with this set up.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I tow with a 2.0tdci Ford Mondeo. It's the 130bhp, 6-speed engine and has loads of torque. Has a stated towing capacity of 1800kg.

I tow my LW 15.2hh mare in a IW401 (mare and foal/single horse) trailer and it makes light work of it. Has been voted top tow car by the caravan club in previous years and is economical when not towing. Never had any scary moments with this set up.

[/ QUOTE ]

I might have a look at the Caravan Club website about their tow car expertise!

Is it an estate or a saloon/hatch?
 
we also tow with a mondeo estate, towed my 15.2 mw in a 510 and didnt have any problems. Only went on short journey's tho. Have just bought a 505 so should save a little bit of weight.
 
It's just the hatchback. Not sure how much kerb weight difference there is between hatch/estate. Our car is 1505kg kerb weight though and we tow about 1300kg (770kg for trailer + 530kg ish for pony, only a single trailer so no extra kit in trailer!) which is well within the car's kerbweight and miles below it's stated towing capacity.

It accelerates/brakes well and we've been really happy with it. I know in an ideal world we'd all have massive tanks of 4x4s to tow with, but it's just not possible for everyone and this is the only way I'm able to get out and about to enjoy my horse. Only time I'd be stuck is wet grass parking, but I just make sure I suss out parking arrangements thoroughly before planning things!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top