Who tows with a van?

Magicmillbrook

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We are trying to rationalize our expenditure ATM and one of the big horsey costs is the lorry, she is a lovely old 5.5t lorry who starts and runs like a dream, but in reality only gets used a 6 - 10 times a year. We were considered selling her and our family car end getting 4x4 and trailer, but then OH had an idea. He needs to change his work van and was considering one with 4x4 as he often works in Scotland/snow and down farm tracks etc. He suggested getting a crew cab van and putting a tow-bar on it. Yes we would loose out on tax as it would be personal usage but no cost to us. Has anyone got experience of towing with a van - any suggestions on make/model or pros and con's? Thanks in advance.
 

calmgirl

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I have towed with my SWB plain white transit. Shock lol. And a Merc Vito. But just for one horse and not through mucky fields as neither are 4x4 or have very large tow weights. 1800 and 2000kg.
Harder to reverse in tight spaces as they are longer overall but grand to use. Van's are very useful.
 

PlodCob

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Our cob was towed down from near Doncaster in an Ifor Williams behind a normal, (non 4x4) white transit van. Only 14.2hh, she weighs in at about 450kg by weight tape. No troubles.
 

Tory27

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You can tow with a van, no problem, but make sure you check what the max gross weight is. My brother has a VW Turbo long wheelbase that would tow my trailer easily with 1 horse. (over 15.2) If I towed with both mine I'd be over weight. Vans generally only have 1.5 - 3 tonn MGW, where as a crew cab double axel may take more? If you go to a local garage they should be able to tell you, or a horse trailer dealer (ifor williams?) - they tend to be pretty clued up on weights. Nothing wrong with towing with a van - I was always tought 'It doesnt matter what you turn up in, its what horse comes out of it that counts!
 

ROG

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What is the towing capacity of the van you intend to use?
What weight do you need to tow (empty weight of trailer plus the load in it)?
Do you have a B+E on licence?
 

ROMANY 1959

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I tow a caravan with my 3.5 ton renault master lorry , hardly know it's there behind me as lorry is as wide as caravan so more aerodynamic... I can get to rugby polo club and back on £60 of diesel. My friend tows an Ivor Williams trailer with a VW van that is converted into a motor home for two..
 

Bouncydog

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You also need to ensure that the towbar that is fitted to the van is the correct one for the towing weight of the van. it doesn't matter what you think the van is capable of towing you must adhere to the van manufacturers towing specification for a braked trailer. the capacities and weights of the trailers are on the towing bar of the trailer usually. In the event that you do not adhere to these limits you will run into huge problems with insurers in the event of an accident. Would also recommend that you have a supplementary towing chain fixed to your trailer that you can affix to the towbar fixings as we have heard an awful story of somebody whose braking wire failed whilst going down a hill and the trailer broke away from the towing vehicle. Luckily there was no horse it in.
 

Kezzabell2

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my dad tows my boy around with his van because he refuses to put a tow bar on is Disco, Its so embarrassing, but does the job! He's got a brand new ford transit connect, in silver, so we don't look totally like "do as your likies" haha

my boy was away being broken in a few months ago and the roads to the yard were VERY VERY steep, I was scared we'd not make it up the hill but my dad said it was like the trailer was empty! he loves the van, even after having Merc's and VW's! he never thought he'd have a Transit!
 

ROG

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You also need to ensure that the towbar that is fitted to the van is the correct one for the towing weight of the van. it doesn't matter what you think the van is capable of towing you must adhere to the van manufacturers towing specification for a braked trailer. the capacities and weights of the trailers are on the towing bar of the trailer usually. In the event that you do not adhere to these limits you will run into huge problems with insurers in the event of an accident.
Not quite sure what you are saying here because it sounds like you are saying that the plated MAM of the trailer must not exceed the towing capacity?

If you are saying that then its legally incorrect
 

The Fuzzy Furry

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I and DH both have movano's. Mine is a 3.2 purpose built horsebox, his is a 2.2 lwb high top.
We have both towed, both pull really well.
His is an old one (51) and has dragged a pretty heavy caravan of 1480 unladen (full to gunnels) and van filled to max weight too. No probs at all tho struggled with a 1 in 9 hill to go up. Reasonable fuel consumption, considering the distances travelled every month or more, cruising easily at 60 snd sometimes 70 (obviously on a private track ;) )
 

suzysparkle

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Yes I sometimes tow with our dog van which is a Mercedes Sprinter 313 MWB. The max tow capacity of it is 2800kg. I really like towing with it though it's not a 4X4 so not great on wet grass! Loads of space to dump all your stuff in as well! The rest of the time I use my Defender. I love my Defender but the van is by far the better towing vehicle. You don't notice the trailer most of the time.
 

Bouncydog

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Not quite sure what you are saying here because it sounds like you are saying that the plated MAM of the trailer must not exceed the towing capacity?

If you are saying that then its legally incorrect

What I was trying to say is that the towbar fitted to the vehicle that is towing must be fit for purpose as in lots of tow bars available but not all will fit everything. E.g. have just had one fitted to my vehicle and suppliers were at pains to advise that it must be the correct spec rather than any old one from the local DIY store. Point on trailer weights was separate issue.
 

Magicmillbrook

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Interesting points, thanks everyone. We currently have a Mercedes vito, but OH is not impressed with it so is thinking of a VW T5. We would want to carry my daughter 16hhs 3/4 ID, so prob about 650/700kilos and my 14.1 cob, so about 450kilos. Haven't even thought about type of trailer yet. Would like an equitrek as it would ease the transition from lorry to trailer, but budget will prob dictate an Ifor.
 

Spot_the_Risk

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We do sometimes. We have a three year old Ford transit all wheel drive and it tows very well. We bought it as we own a feed merchants and deliver to a lot of farms, down rough lanes, across fields etc, and it works very well. I,ve been carting hay with it this week, 70 bales on a flat Ifor trailer and another 30 inside the van!
 

Kat

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We tow with a pick up, it is classed as a van for tax purposes. It tows brilliantly and is cheaper to run than a 4x4 but manoeuvrability is not so good.
 

ROG

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What I was trying to say is that the towbar fitted to the vehicle that is towing must be fit for purpose as in lots of tow bars available but not all will fit everything. E.g. have just had one fitted to my vehicle and suppliers were at pains to advise that it must be the correct spec rather than any old one from the local DIY store. Point on trailer weights was separate issue.

I got the towbar advice = very good

I could not get what you were saying about the weights re the plated one on the trailer and the towing capacity
 
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