Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Best car to tow a horse box

  • 01-08-2011 9:35pm
    #1
    flyingchange
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭


    I'm lookin for opinions on towing a horse box. The box has been reconditioned and is quite light. I plan to pull a 16.2 horse and depending on weight mayeb a second horse but as yet lets say one. I was looking at either a 2.0 diesel passat or same mondeo. The towing maybe once a week or once every two weeks but thats all. I understand the jeep is the best option but I can't look at jeeps as I use the car for work and it would be too pricey to run.
    I'm interested to hear opinions on best cars for towing.


«1

Comments

  • #2
    LCruiser Kid
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭LCruiser Kid


    Neighbour here uses a new shape mondeo tdci to tow his horse box. No problems so far and he does a nice bit of towing too. Seems to pull it away just fine. Some punishment on the car I'd say. Jeeps are away better for towing but they are not for you as you don't need one. Ford mondeo is a good choice


  • #3
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,478 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Maybe something rwd? BMW, omega?

    What's the budget?


  • #4
    flyingchange
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭flyingchange


    Ideally 12k! but being realistic I think about 18k. I am concerned about going down the years on a car to pull a box. I saw a 09 passat for about that price. I want something economical. I have a 1.8 s40 petrol and find it heavy I think moving to a jeep would be similar consumption. Its difficult as its got to cover two jobs pulling a box and being used as a company car although I wouldn't put up a whole lot of milage for work.


  • #5
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,478 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    You'd get an 08 legacy 2.0 TD R estate (AWD) from the uk for under 16k

    There's a nice black one on autotrader


  • #6
    bijapos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭bijapos


    You need to work out what the total max weight is you will be towing. two horses and a trailer should easily go over 1500kg. Your car may not be rated to tow this and it may not be safe to do this either.

    At those weights you need a car that can not only pull the trailer but can also brake the trailer. A proper 4x4 with a ladder chassis will flex a lot less than a car and is easier to control in a critical situation such as if the trailer ever starts to sway or swerve behind you.

    Personally I would not go for a car but a 4x4 such as a Landcruiser or a RWD van. If you have 18k as a budget I would consider getting a 4x4 for the trailer and a car for daily use. It would be a lot safer for you in the long run.

    Make sure your trailer is up to the job, that the brakes on the trailer are working well and that it has an anti sway mechanism on it.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    pburns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    You'd get an 08 legacy 2.0 TD R estate (AWD) from the uk for under 16k

    There's a nice black one on autotrader

    Yep, will cover the company car and towing tasks with ease, You can get them as saloon if you have objection to estates.

    Lower centre of gravity of a car is more stable too. AWD stability without the disadvantages of an off-roader.


  • #8
    coolbeans
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,124 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    bijapos wrote: »
    You need to work out what the total max weight is you will be towing. two horses and a trailer should easily go over 1500kg. Your car may not be rated to tow this and it may not be safe to do this either.

    At those weights you need a car that can not only pull the trailer but can also brake the trailer. A proper 4x4 with a ladder chassis will flex a lot less than a car and is easier to control in a critical situation such as if the trailer ever starts to sway or swerve behind you.

    Personally I would not go for a car but a 4x4 such as a Landcruiser or a RWD van. If you have 18k as a budget I would consider getting a 4x4 for the trailer and a car for daily use. It would be a lot safer for you in the long run.

    Make sure your trailer is up to the job, that the brakes on the trailer are working well and that it has an anti sway mechanism on it.

    I really do think you're overstating the case for a 4x4. The OP said that it'll be used relatively rarely which means they'd have to put up with the 4x4 tradeoffs i.e. inferior handling, fuel consumption, costs generally etc, for maybe 10% of their driving. A Legacy as previously mentioned would be perfect for the job especially since the box will surely have it's own braking system. I know lots of people who go off buying Landies cos they do a bit of towing when a car would've been a better choice.


  • #9
    snowman707
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,279 ✭✭✭snowman707


    citroen C5 are one of the best towing cars


  • #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    coolbeans wrote: »
    I really do think you're overstating the case for a 4x4. .........


    In fairness if the horse and box weigh over 1500kg he's making an excellent point, if you are towing a load once a year that does require a 4x4 then you need a 4x4.


  • #11
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,451 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Unless you have an EB licence you won't be able to legally tow most horseboxes with any car or 4wd.

    In the event that your horsebox is exceptionally light with a max laden weight of 1500 kg or less then you could tow it with a B licence but would have to choose your towcar carefully. A large 4wd might be superior for towing but would be unsuitable from a licence POV. A Mondeo diesel or similar would be closer to what you'd need.


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    flyingchange
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭flyingchange


    I think it will only be one horse. It will be well under 1500kgs. I won't be risking anything and it will go on a tow bridge first. I think it will be a passat or a mondeo. I'm not keen on the subaru and I imagine awd will also mean higher fuel consumption. I'm wondering if I could stretch it to a 1.9 diesel passat?


  • #13
    Blazer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,459 ✭✭✭✭Blazer


    saw some farmer yesterday towing a horsebox with a BMW 520D...might as well do it in style ;)


  • #14
    TestTransmission
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,106 ✭✭✭✭TestTransmission


    Sc@recrow wrote: »
    saw some farmer yesterday towing a horsebox with a BMW 520D...might as well do it in style ;)

    How do you know he was a farmer?


  • #15
    agsmith
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭agsmith


    toyota land cruiser


    nuff said


  • #16
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,280 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    flyingchange wrote: »
    I think it will only be one horse. It will be well under 1500kgs. I won't be risking anything and it will go on a tow bridge first. I think it will be a passat or a mondeo. I'm not keen on the subaru and I imagine awd will also mean higher fuel consumption. I'm wondering if I could stretch it to a 1.9 diesel passat?

    its the gvw of the trailer, not the weight of the horse thats the concern , the smallest ifor williams horsebox has a 1600kg gvw so youd need a car with a gvw 1900kg or under to tow even a small horsebox.

    a subaru legacy has a gvw of 2010kg and can only tow 1800kg so even that wont do without an EB licence or towing a trailor potentially that heavy.

    a volvo s60 doesnt comply either (2030kg gvw) and a 1300kg max towing weight)

    passat wont do it either (1500kg towing)


    realistically your going to need an EB licence and a mid size 4x4


  • #17
    jumbone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭jumbone


    Depending on when the OP got his licence he may have a grandfathered EB category on it.

    If he has the licence going back years, he may even be entitled to get it put on without a test. You'd need to check with the tax office though or maybe somebody on the learning to drive forum could help.


  • #18
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,451 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    its the gvw of the trailer, not the weight of the horse thats the concern , the smallest ifor williams horsebox has a 1600kg gvw so youd need a car with a gvw 1900kg or under to tow even a small horsebox.

    a subaru legacy has a gvw of 2010kg and can only tow 1800kg so even that wont do without an EB licence or towing a trailor potentially that heavy.

    a volvo s60 doesnt comply either (2030kg gvw) and a 1300kg max towing weight)

    passat wont do it either (1500kg towing)
    True. Also for a B licence, the unladen weight of the car must be equal to or greater than the max gross weight of the trailer. So in the case of a 1600 kg g.v.w trailer the car's kerb weight must be at least 1600 kg.

    If the car's kerb weight is 1400 kg and the manufacturer says it can tow 1600 kg, no good.

    At the same time, as you say, the g.w.v of the car must be 1900 kg or less. IMO there is no car out there that has a 1600 kg kerb weight, a 1600 kg towing capacity and a 1900 kg g.v.w. Something like a 3 series convertible might be closest.


  • #19
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,036 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    Sc@recrow wrote: »
    saw some farmer yesterday towing a horsebox with a BMW 520D...might as well do it in style ;)

    A 520D stylish:eek::eek::confused:


  • #20
    ianobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,755 ✭✭✭ianobrien


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    True. Also for a B licence, the unladen weight of the car must be equal to or greater than the max gross weight of the trailer. So in the case of a 1600 kg g.v.w trailer the car's kerb weight must be at least 1600 kg.

    If the car's kerb weight is 1400 kg and the manufacturer says it can tow 1600 kg, no good.

    At the same time, as you say, the g.w.v of the car must be 1900 kg or less. IMO there is no car out there that has a 1600 kg kerb weight, a 1600 kg towing capacity and a 1900 kg g.v.w. Something like a 3 series convertible might be closest.

    But I thought that the tow capacity of a vehicle was governed by the train weight, not the g.v.w. of a car.

    My car has a train weight of 2.7 tonnes (according to the plate inside the door), meaning that the car, contents and load on a trailer can not exceed 2.7 tonnes. The vehicle itself weighs 1.2 tonnes (ish) and the gross vehicle weight is 1.7tonnes. All this means that, all-in, my car is designed to haul 2.7tonnes, including itself. It's up to me how I distribute the load (between car or trailer), either 1 tonne on the trailer & 500kg in the car, or 1.4tonnes on the trailer and an empty car (except for driver).

    Some Nissan Patrols had train weights of 5.5 tonnes, meaning that a E + C1 licence was needed to tow some trailers!


  • #21
    LCruiser Kid
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭LCruiser Kid


    agsmith wrote: »
    toyota land cruiser


    nuff said

    + 1 :cool: Landcruiser the right wagon for the job.


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    joolsveer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭joolsveer


    flyingchange wrote: »
    I think it will only be one horse. It will be well under 1500kgs. I won't be risking anything and it will go on a tow bridge first. I think it will be a passat or a mondeo. I'm not keen on the subaru and I imagine awd will also mean higher fuel consumption. I'm wondering if I could stretch it to a 1.9 diesel passat?

    I have a Subaru Impreza awd diesel for the last six months or so. I don't tow anything with it. I hired a Seat Leon petrol in Spain recently. The fuel consumption in the Seat was much higher (about 20 to 30%) although it did not have the same zip. The Seat was 1.4 and the Subaru is 2.0.


  • #23
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,478 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Hardly surprising given that the Leon weighs almost the same, is petrol and has a tiny engine which is under stress.


  • #24
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,451 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    ianobrien wrote: »
    My car has a train weight of 2.7 tonnes (according to the plate inside the door), meaning that the car, contents and load on a trailer can not exceed 2.7 tonnes. The vehicle itself weighs 1.2 tonnes (ish) and the gross vehicle weight is 1.7tonnes. All this means that, all-in, my car is designed to haul 2.7tonnes, including itself. It's up to me how I distribute the load (between car or trailer), either 1 tonne on the trailer & 500kg in the car, or 1.4tonnes on the trailer and an empty car (except for driver).
    Your car does have a max train weight but it's not only up to you how you distribute that weight as the car will also have a max braked trailer weight which can't be exceeded no matter how lightly laden the car is. The max braked trailer weight and the g.v.w of the car may add up to more than the max train weight in which case you can max out the car or trailer but not both.

    Also these are manufacturer specifications. From a licence point of view, with a B licence, the g.v.w of the trailer can't exceed the unladen weight of the car. For example I have a Nissan Xtrail with ~2200 kg towing capacity but the car itself ~1650 kg with a g.v.w of ~2150

    With an EB licence I can tow 2200 kg

    With a B licence I can't exceed 1650 kg.
    And In fact i can't even reach that because 1650 + 2150 > 3500. The max I can tow is therefore 1450 kg.

    AFAIK, with an EB licence the rules are
    1) the towcar must be in category B
    2) the weights must not exceed those specified by the manufacturer

    Therefore a Nissan patrol + trailer with total train weight of 5.5 tonnes, if that is what is allowed by the manufacturer, is drivable on an EB licence and doesn't need an EC1.

    But if the weight goes above 7.5 tonnes (not sure if this would be g.v.w or actual) then you might need a tachograph


  • #25
    Blazer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,459 ✭✭✭✭Blazer


    Del2005 wrote: »
    A 520D stylish:eek::eek::confused:

    just checking to see if you were alert ;)


  • #26
    darragh o meara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,234 ✭✭✭darragh o meara


    An Audi A6 allroad seems to be the weapon of choice among the horsey people down my direction. They come as standard with Audis Quattro system (4wd) and the 2.5 diesel isn't too bad on the juice either. I used o e not so long ago to tow a mini digger on a 3 axle Ivor Williams trailer from Dublin to Tipperary and had not one ounce of trouble or an inkling that there was a load of that size in tow. Plus you can raise the suspension up and drive across fields with ease.

    As a car they are mostly high end inside, leather, heated seats, aircon and sat nav etc. I had the pleasure of having one on loan for a month and I'm currently on the lookout for one for myself.


  • #27
    pburns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    I was shopping for Legacy diesels with a friend a few months back (hen's teeth) and they nearly all had tow-bars. I assume they're bought by the horsey set to some degree (I dunno - I don't roll with that crowd).


  • #28
    David09
    Registered Users Posts: 541 ✭✭✭David09


    Ford Kuga???

    I've towed a laden car transporter with one and it's certainly up to the job.
    In a case like yours I'd find them the perfect balance between a "proper" jeep and a car.

    Like this:


    2011-Ford-Kuga-1-650x433.jpg


  • #29
    TigerTim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,251 ✭✭✭TigerTim


    I tow my 6 berth caravan witn a 2005 Citroen C5. Great towcar but french electrics !!!
    T


  • #30
    Cookie_Monster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,522 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    will you not need some form of off road ability, higher ground clearance if pulling a horse box? usually involves some element of driving in fields etc which many cars may struggle with, especially FWD with all that weight at the back.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    flyingchange
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭flyingchange


    Think I am going to look seriously at the opel antara, roughly same mpg I get in the current car, 2.0 4 wheel drive, max towing capacity of 2000kg's so 1700kgs is 85% of that. Any knowledge of these jeeps let me know. All the reviews are good, the frontera that came before this opel seems to be bad but they learned from their mistakes. Thanks


  • #32
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056344494



    One of the above poster suggested it was not safe using a car to tow a horse box with 2 horse on board . Another poster suggested he was wrong and if only towing a few times a year a car was fine.

    My understanding is that you are not insured once you have that much weight behind the normal car. It is one thing chancing a fine but being uninsured in the event of an accident would be a bitter pill to swallow


  • #33
    tossy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,590 ✭✭✭tossy


    brownswiss wrote: »
    One of the above poster suggested it was not safe using a car to tow a horse box with 2 horse on board . Another poster suggested he was wrong and if only towing a few times a year a car was fine.

    My understanding is that you are not insured once you have that much weight behind the normal car. It is one thing chancing a fine but being uninsured in the event of an accident would be a bitter pill to swallow

    There is no law that states towing 'that much weight' behind a 'normal' car is illegal, what is that much weight and what is a normal car? there are plenty of estate cars up to the job of pulling a horsebox, it's all down to the DGW of the vehicle,towing capacity etc.

    Also this thread is 4 years old ffs. :D


  • #34
    zwind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61 ✭✭zwind


    you can get a 08 e60 525d m sport for 15k in total form UK.


  • #35
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Mustang I reckon or a Hyundai Pony


  • #36
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    tossy wrote: »
    There is no law that states towing 'that much weight' behind a 'normal' car is illegal, what is that much weight and what is a normal car? there are plenty of estate cars up to the job of pulling a horsebox, it's all down to the DGW of the vehicle,towing capacity etc.

    Also this thread is 4 years old ffs. :D
    ..

    What family saloon is legal to pull a 505 horse box with 2 horse on board. Why does it matter how old the thread is if the information is relevant... even if only to a few of us


  • Advertisement
  • #37
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    fleex wrote: »
    you can get a 08 e60 525d m sport for 15k in total from UK.
    ... Have you one for sale ?


  • #38
    Jesus.
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,794 ✭✭✭Jesus.


    brownswiss wrote: »
    ..Why does it matter how old the thread is if the information is relevant

    Because the Mods will shut you down!

    Well, they would if your name was Jesus :pac:


  • #39
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    Jesus. wrote: »
    Because the Mods will shut you down!

    Well, they would if your name was Jesus :pac:
    ...

    Maybe Jesus could enlighten trailer towers... He probarly does not resort to ffs


  • #40
    mullingar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,340 ✭✭✭mullingar


    tossy wrote: »
    There is no law that states towing 'that much weight' behind a 'normal' car is illegal, what is that much weight and what is a normal car? there are plenty of estate cars up to the job of pulling a horsebox, it's all down to the DGW of the vehicle,towing capacity etc.

    Also this thread is 4 years old ffs. :D

    +1000.
    brownswiss wrote: »
    ..

    What family saloon is legal to pull a 505 horse box with 2 horse on board. Why does it matter how old the thread is if the information is relevant... even if only to a few of us

    A 505 horse box weights 900kg empty, plus 2x500kg horses = 1900kg combined.

    There are many 2wd cars that are fully certified to tow 2000kg, I know mine is.(98 lexus gs300), some mondeos and larger VAG 2wd cars can tow 2200kg too.

    Some 4x4s have a terrible towing capacity such as a Toyota Hilux 3.0 d4d doublecab (06-10) of just 1500kg.

    Don't forget that a BE licence or better is a legal requirement


  • #41
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,063 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    brownswiss wrote: »
    One of the above poster suggested it was not safe using a car to tow a horse box with 2 horse on board . Another poster suggested he was wrong and if only towing a few times a year a car was fine.

    My understanding is that you are not insured once you have that much weight behind the normal car. It is one thing chancing a fine but being uninsured in the event of an accident would be a bitter pill to swallow

    There's no simple rule that you can tow a horsebox with jeep and can't with car.
    It's all down to weights.

    Every vehicle has a maximum weight of trailer possible to tow specified by manufacturer.
    It's on the weight plate, which is usually by driver's on passenger door.

    Once horsebox with horses is heavier than maximum weight allowed for trailer, then it can not be towed. Simple as that.


  • Advertisement
  • #42
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,063 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    brownswiss wrote: »
    ..

    What family saloon is legal to pull a 505 horse box with 2 horse on board. Why does it matter how old the thread is if the information is relevant... even if only to a few of us

    Just a random link I found.
    http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/volkswagen/passat/towing-weight-limit/

    As you can see pretty much every passat with 2.0 engine can tow 2tonnes or more, which should be enough for 2 horses.
    My Civic can tow 1500kg, so I could only take one horse ;)


  • #43
    alias no.9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    corktina wrote: »
    Mustang I reckon or a Hyundai Pony

    Mitsubishi Colt or "Starion"


  • #44
    guil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,497 ✭✭✭✭guil


    CiniO wrote: »
    Just a random link I found.
    http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/volkswagen/passat/towing-weight-limit/

    As you can see pretty much every passat with 2.0 engine can tow 2tonnes or more, which should be enough for 2 horses.
    My Civic can tow 1500kg, so I could only take one horse ;)
    You probably couldn't tow that horsebox. It doesn't matter if you only want to put one horse in it, the GVW is the only factor.


  • #45
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,063 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    guil wrote: »
    You probably couldn't tow that horsebox. It doesn't matter if you only want to put one horse in it, the GVW is the only factor.

    It's not.
    F.e. my car is limited to tow 1500kg.
    Trailer GVW is 2000kg.
    But trailer on it's own weights 800kg.
    If I load it with 500kg, then kerb weight of the trailer is 1300kg, which is less than 1500kg my car can tow, so I can tow it.
    Obviously assuming I have BE licence.


  • #46
    alias no.9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    CiniO wrote: »
    It's not.
    F.e. my car is limited to tow 1500kg.
    Trailer GVW is 2000kg.
    But trailer on it's own weights 800kg.
    If I load it with 500kg, then kerb weight of the trailer is 1300kg, which is less than 1500kg my car can tow, so I can tow it.
    Obviously assuming I have BE licence.

    Are you sure about that? Pretty sure the plated MAM of the trailer must be less than the towing weight of the car, laden or unladen don't matter.


  • #47
    mullingar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,340 ✭✭✭mullingar


    guil wrote: »
    You probably couldn't tow that horsebox. It doesn't matter if you only want to put one horse in it, the GVW is the only factor.
    alias no.9 wrote: »
    Are you sure about that? Pretty sure the plated MAM of the trailer must be less than the towing weight of the car, laden or unladen don't matter.

    No, your getting your wires crossed. What you are referring to is your licence.

    You cannot tow an empty trailer plated to MAM/DGVW of 3500kg and 1000km unladen with a B licence, yet 95% of cars are certified to do as it's below the actual towing capacity weight, (you can with a BE)


  • #48
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    mullingar wrote: »
    No, your getting your wires crossed. What you are referring to is your licence.

    You cannot tow an empty trailer plated to MAM/DGVW of 3500kg and 1000km unladen with a B licence, yet 95% of cars are certified to do as it's below the actual towing capacity weight, (you can with a BE)
    .

    Mullingar can you tell me in relation to Insurance ( My licence is not an issue ) firstly with an empty 505 horse box and then either with one or two horses. My understanding from a meeting I was at is that the normal family saloon is not insured to tow this box because of its maximum weight capacity
    Thanks in advance & a link would be great


  • #49
    Supergurrier
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,301 ✭✭✭Supergurrier


    Mitsubishi Starion ofc


  • #50
    brownswiss
    Registered Users Posts: 761 ✭✭✭brownswiss


    alias no.9 wrote: »
    Are you sure about that? Pretty sure the plated MAM of the trailer must be less than the towing weight of the car, laden or unladen don't matter.
    That is also my understanding


  • #51
    mullingar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,340 ✭✭✭mullingar


    AFAIK, As long as you declare to the insurance company that you have a towbar, you are insured to tow a trailer not exceeding the maximum towing capacity of the car as long as your licence covers it. (the trailer should then be covered third party only).

    You can find the maximum trailer weight capacity of a car on the cars weight plate - usually found on the B pillar or under bonnet. Just subtract the two top weights (max train weight / dgvw)

    If the cars maximum capacity is 1500kg, you are covered to tow a 505 (unladen 900kg) with a 500kg horse, even if the trailer has a 3500kg MAM (maximum authorised mass) or in old money the DGVW (design gross vehicle weight).

    I did my BE test last year with a 505 laden with the required 600kg in concrete blocks in a diesel Laguna rated to 1500kg. I was on the limit and the Tester had no problem.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement