RAV4 and horsebox

Hi
Im looking for some advice please.

I have a 2014 Rav 4 2.2 diesel AWD. I also have a BE licence.

Can I tow (legally) a horsebox with horses inside with it?

Del2005

Depends on the tow rating of the Rav 4 vs the MAM of the trailer.

https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Your-Vehicle/About-your-Vehicle/Example-of-non-Dup/Trailers-/What-can-my-vehicle-tow-/

Looks like the Rav4 can only tow 1.5t can't see a double horse box being that low

https://www.autotrader.com.au/toyota/rav4/towing-capacity/2014

mgbgt1978

As the OP has a BE licence it depends on the Towing capacity of the Rav 4 and the actual weight being towed at the time. The Trailer MAM is only a factor if the load currently carried exceeds the Trailer's capacity.
I'm not saying that the OP's box (when loaded) can be towed by his car, simply that the MAM is not a factor in this instance.

mgbgt1978

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

As the OP has a BE licence it depends on the Towing capacity of the Rav 4 and the actual weight being towed at the time. The Trailer MAM is only a factor if the load currently carried exceeds the Trailer's capacity.
I'm not saying that the OP's box (when loaded) can be towed by his car, simply that the MAM is not a factor in this instance.

According to the label on the inside of the door the towing capacity braked is 2000kg
Would this suffice do you think?

mgbgt1978

Is that a metal plate with various weights stamped on it?
Normally the actual towing capacity is not shown. You have to subtract the max weight of the vehicle from it's gross train weight.
The link below explains it slightly better than the RSA site;


https://abcmotorengineers.ie/blog/calculate-towing-capacity-vehicle


In your case you might have to weigh the 'box with your own horse(s) loaded to get an accurate figure. Or have a go yourself with this calculator;


https://www.viovet.co.uk/horse_weight_estimate.php

Del2005

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

As the OP has a BE licence it depends on the Towing capacity of the Rav 4 and the actual weight being towed at the time. The Trailer MAM is only a factor if the load currently carried exceeds the Trailer's capacity.
I'm not saying that the OP's box (when loaded) can be towed by his car, simply that the MAM is not a factor in this instance.

It's the MAM of the trailer not what weight you are towing that is used. Makes it easier to enforce if you restrict it to the max weight the trailer can carry rather than carry around vehicle scales and the requirement to calibrate them and set up correctly. The legislation about speed guns was changed to not require it to be calibrated or even working because so many people got off, can't say that the weight plate on your trailer is out of calibration or not used correctly.

Del2005

TheTorment wrote: »

According to the label on the inside of the door the towing capacity braked is 2000kg
Would this suffice do you think?

What's on your trailer plate? Should be around the hitch area, if its less than 2000kg your laughing if it's over you need a bigger vehicle or smaller trailer. Be aware that a smaller trailer could easily be overloaded if they are big horses, how heavy are the horses?

mgbgt1978

Del2005 wrote: »

It's the MAM of the trailer not what weight you are towing that is used. Makes it easier to enforce if you restrict it to the max weight the trailer can carry rather than carry around vehicle scales and the requirement to calibrate them and set up correctly. The legislation about speed guns was changed to not require it to be calibrated or even working because so many people got off, can't say that the weight plate on your trailer is out of calibration or not used correctly.

No it's not. The OP has a BE licence and and as long as what he is carrying does not exceed the Trailer MAM then he is fine (assuming the Tow Vehicle is rated for whatever weight he is towing at the time).
The following is taken directly from the RSA page you linked to...


It's OK to tow a trailer whose DGVW exceeds a vehicle’s towing capacity provided the combined weight of the trailer and the load being carried does not exceed the specified towing capacity of the drawing vehicle.

Just in case you are having difficulty, DGVW is the same as MAM.

mgbgt1978

Del2005 wrote: »

What's on your trailer plate? Should be around the hitch area, if its less than 2000kg your laughing if it's over you need a bigger vehicle or smaller trailer. Be aware that a smaller trailer could easily be overloaded if they are big horses, how heavy are the horses?

Wrong again. Even if his Horse Box has a MAM of 3.5 tons it doesn't make any difference as long as the weight of the 'box and it's cargo don't exceed the Tow car's towing capacity

The OP asked for advice on a particular situation. you are giving incorrect advice which is of no help to him.