Something to tow a horsebox

Polo_Cluvie

Hi guys as title suggests I'm looking for advice on buying something to tow a horse box. I can't buy anything over 2.0litre as I will have to tax it privately. I'm wondering would a Caddy van or Transit connect do the job for me. I only have a budget of maybe 3k. The horse Box is a four wheeler with electric brakes and can take 2 horses but I'd only be transporting 1 max. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was considering a 03 Rover 75 diesel auto but I reckon that she won't do..

CJhaughey

It will go on weights, so you need to know the following:
Design gross vehicle weight (DGVW) of Horsebox.
Weight of Horse.
This will determine the kind of tow vehicle that you need, then you need to know if your current license allows you to tow the kind of weight you are talking about. B+E license.
If the trailer DGVW is over half the weight of the GVW of the tow car then it has to be braked.

Realistically, You are probably looking at some kind of 4x4, you may get away with a softroader but it will be tight with a double horsebox and horse.

Polo_Cluvie

Thxs for your reply Cj. What's a softroader? I'm wondering does any of the members have a horse box and what do they use to tow it with..I'd love a 4x4 but I couldn't afford the tax. I was then thinking of the Nissan xtrail 4x4. It's a 2.2. But I've heard it's got major reliability issues so that's out

MAJJ

Maybe ask a mod to move to the equestrian forum. There's posts like this over there. Good luck

CJhaughey

Polo_Cluvie wrote: »

Thxs for your reply Cj. What's a softroader? I'm wondering does any of the members have a horse box and what do they use to tow it with..I'd love a 4x4 but I couldn't afford the tax. I was then thinking of the Nissan xtrail 4x4. It's a 2.2. But I've heard it's got major reliability issues so that's out

Softroader would be X-trail, Rav 4, Honda CRV, etc.
Your other option would be a converted van something like this
http://www.donedeal.ie/commercials-for-sale/horse-transporter-for-2-horses/10191529?offset=15
BTW Transit connect can only tow 800kg braked and the VW Caddy is 1200kg IIRC.
Both are far too small to tow a double with a horse.
What is the DGVW of the trailer?

Polo_Cluvie

thats a good question CJ ill find out and post. Thanks

Lurching

A freelander would fit in your budget and would pull a horse box fairly handy.

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/landrover-freelander/9950461

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/landrover-freelander/9882098

Polo_Cluvie

The Landrover diesel had crossed my mind for sure but if you research them theyre also filled with reliability problems. Its impossible to know really

bazz26

Maybe something like a Suzuki Grand Vitara:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-grand-vitara-2004-2-0-diesel-nct-8-16/10172956?offset=30

Polo_Cluvie

I think it might be a little light. Apparently the horsebox is as tall as it is wide. I'm waiting on herself getting back to me with the actual weight of it. Soon as I have that I'll post it

Polo_Cluvie

Just got word it's an Ifor Williams HB511. Gross weight is 2700kg and unladen weight is 1000kg. She's big and heavy and high

bazz26

Problem is that anything you may need to pull that horsebox will need a big enough engine to pull itself as well as the horsebox. You will unlikely find anything in 2.0 litre or less to do that.

CJhaughey

2700kg gross is a big trailer, you are looking at a 2.5-3.0 litre 4x4 minimum as a tow vehicle for that trailer.

Odelay

The HB510 is a big trailer, HB505 is the normal size double box suitable for horses up to 16.2 hands high.
Don't rule out the xtrail, they have a good towing capacity.

mullingar

Polo_Cluvie wrote: »

Just got word it's an Ifor Williams HB511. Gross weight is 2700kg and unladen weight is 1000kg. She's big and heavy and high

@OP, there are a few things here.

1. You must have a BE licence or better. No licence = no insurance.
2. When towing you must use the actual weights present, not the trailers maximum design weight (thats the maximum allowed weight). If the trailer is unladen @ 1000kg, + one 6/700kg horse + 200kg of bits & pieces, you need a car that can tow 2000kg.
3. It makes no difference what people recommend for towing, it must be plated to tow that weight. Most cars/4x4's have the maximum vehicle weights stamped under the bonnet. Subtract the two biggest weights (train weight - dgvw) and this will give you the trailer capacity.

Very few "reliable" cars/4x4 in your price bracket will have a 2000kg capacity. Look on parkers.co.uk or uktow.com and it will list the plated weight for cars you search for.

A quick look at the 00-07 shape 2.0D Mondeo only allows 1800kg, but if you think what is a heavy car/4x4 with a <2.0 engine, think people carriers. A Ford Galaxy has 2000kg capability

Polo_Cluvie

Thxs everybody for taking the time to reply. I've learned an awful lot last few days. I spoke to a very helpful chap in Galway today who sells trailers. Explained my situation and basically he reckons a 2.5 transporter would pull trailer and one horse no bother. If I had to pay that kinda tax which I can't afford I think I'd go for a Kia Sorento 2.5 manual. Good friend of mine selling his 05 Landrover TD4 V6 auto 2.7. Would pull a train for ya but is an absolute pig on diesel. Lucky to get 20 mpg. Just have to cut my cloth according to my pocket. Thanks again lads