| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sienna |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 1:46:01 PM
Hi,
I am having transport problems. I want to take my new girl to some pleasure rides, etc this year but I do not know anyone in my area with the same interests so am unable to share transport. Also, no one near me offers to transport using a trailer, only wagons, and that's too expensive for one horse. I have looked at hiring a vehicle and trailer but having limited experience towing would not feel very happy with this.
Consequently, I am considering buying a vehicle capable of towing a double horse trailer and will then buy or seasonal hire dependant upon my remaining finances.
I have limited finances and as the vehicle would also be my daily "run around" would like something practical and reasonably economical to run.
The market seems to be quite limited due to the new towing regulations and so far I have only been directed at Freelanders.
With the wealth of knowledge out there in "ALiners Land" I wondered if anyone could give me any suggestions of what vehicle may be suitable, or share their experiences.
Many thanks.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sienna |
Posted - 20 Jan 2010 : 2:55:26 PM
Ella,
Thanks for your PM. I have sent you a reply. |
| ella |
Posted - 18 Jan 2010 : 5:19:16 PM
Have sent you a PM Sienna, if you don't get sorted I might sometimes have a space. |
| horsey |
Posted - 18 Jan 2010 : 3:24:23 PM
Mostly 4X4 have chain belts unlikely normal cars. The chain belt is the timer belt. Normal cars's timer belt have to change every roughly 60,000 or otherwise it will damaged the engine. But 4X4 have chain belt dont need the change and jsut adjustive the belt if it is necessary.
I help that is help more details about 4x4.
I heard the VW 4X4 is more powerful than other 4x4s. I havent try to find out about that VW 4x4. anyone have it? |
| sienna |
Posted - 18 Jan 2010 : 2:03:20 PM
Many thanks for all of your replies. You've certainly given me plenty to think about.
I agree that a lot depends upon what I can afford and obviously we all have our own preferences but thanks again for sharing your thoughts with me.
Just goes to prove what a wealth of experience you A Liners have!
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| Qui Gon Jinn |
Posted - 17 Jan 2010 : 10:39:59 AM
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is legally allowed to tow between 1.6 and 1.85 tons depending upon the model. I'd think with one horse and depending upon the trailer weight and obviously the horses weight that you will be pretty much on your limits for towing there.
I'm not sure that I would be confident or trusting of the vehicle being that close to the towing limit. |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 17 Jan 2010 : 09:47:49 AM
I use my BMW x 5 , but I wouldn't recommend it because it burns a hole in your pocket, although it does the job brilliantly |
| Gerri |
Posted - 17 Jan 2010 : 09:22:15 AM
I can recommend the Mercedes 4x4 for towing with two big horses up, does not even feel it |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 9:52:09 PM
Sounds like some of us should start Diahatsu Lines!
Ours was a replacement vehicle in a hurry for the farm, but when following my OH in the posh but old suberu imprezza, I couldn't catch him! So not only a towing vehicle, but **** off a shovel too. (Sorry is that a bit rude for AL) But seriously, this only cost us a straight £1000. The landrovers were too expensive. Sure it is a bit basic, but we left it at the bottom of the drive for a week during this snow and it started first time when we decided to brave the drifts. We think it is economical too. My OH says dont get the sportrack for towing though. |
| Nerusa |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 9:00:36 PM
Originally posted by rosie
Our Suzuki Vitari is pretty good for towing & nice to drive about when not towing.
I didn't think Vitaras were powerful enough to pull a trailer let alone one with a horse in it! |
| Gemma |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 8:55:04 PM
Same as Kharidian!
My first 4x4 was a Daihatsu Fourtrak and it was awesome. It towed superbly, and for a 4x4 it was relatively cheap to run. The only issue I had with it was that it was a SWB, and there wasn't masses of room to get all the endurance kit in. It was fine for a one-day run, but once we started staying away, getting the camping stuff in was a squeeze!
Anyway, it died in spectacular style on the M11 (whilst towing - thankfully the pony had been dropped off so it was empty). So we replaced it with an Isuzu Trooper - LWB, so plenty of space to put stuff. '03 plate with low mileage. It's really excellent for towing, but not that economical, so I have a small car for the Mon-Fri commute. |
| tut 99 |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 8:54:41 PM
daihatsu brillant |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 6:37:57 PM
My first tow vehicles was an old diesel Daihatsu Foretrak which was great, then, when the Daihatsu was not far off "the end" (which is the only time I replace my vehicles) I got a diesel Isuzu Trooper which is equally good.
I had looked at the Kia Sorrento but it was too new a model to have anything I could/would afford in my price range.....maybe next time!
Caryn |
| guisburn |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 6:11:35 PM
We have a sorrento too, I think one model pulls 3T and the bigger 3 Litre does 3.5T. Ours is the smaller and will pull the show treka, but not the biggest Equitrek. Good car, great price, won best towing vehicle for a couple of years with the caravan club, it was the greenest we could find.
Melanie |
| bexr |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 5:17:40 PM
we had a toyota hi-lux double cab and it was brill, did about 30mtg and was as good off-road as on it. When towing you hardly noticed it was pulling anything. Nissan nivara's although very good, have a reputation for their cam-belts snaping, leaving a very BIG hole in your pocket and nissan will try anything to get out of repairing it under warranty as my friend James found out. |
| Qui Gon Jinn |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 5:04:37 PM
I've a friend who bought a new Sorento last year and she swears by hers too Buffy! It's a nice looking vehicle (her's is black and top of the range) and seems to have reasonable pulling power at 3.5 tons. Put's it up there with the big boys! Might even look at one myself in a few years when I'm needing to replace my Disco! |
| buffy |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 12:41:59 PM
We've had our Kia Sorento for two years now and can't recommend it highly enough!
At Ayr Show last year where the ground was bottomless mud and 4x4's were getting stuck 10 a penny, she sailed through without any bother.
OH did some research before we got one (with the sole intent for horse-trailer pulling!)and found that it had won 'Tow Car of the Year' a few years ago. The feedback from owners was also very positive.
Love it, and whether towing or just general driving, it is the best!
Sandra
x
Not as expensive as some out there but looks the part! |
| rosie |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 12:33:16 PM
Our Suzuki Vitari is pretty good for towing & nice to drive about when not towing. Been so useful this winter in the snow.
Our worst towing vehicle was a turbo Ford Maverick. It seemed that you needed to get quite a few revs up before the turbo kicked in, & once when we had to pull up at the bottom of a very steep hill it wouldn't set off with even a small pony inside! Nightmare!! - unbox pony run up hill & wait for car at top! |
| horsey |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 11:54:52 AM
I use my second hand 2.8 tubro diseal shogun over 12 years with me......very dearly car but get old car but worthy it.........
no problems with towing.
mostly 4x4 have max towing 2 tons. but that shogun have slightly over 2 tons. i think 2.2tons as i cant remmy that.
i been nosed to drive test the hybrid 4x4 which it have more space but it is 3.5 which it is very dearly bill and max towing 2tons. :-( |
| garnet |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 11:07:08 AM
We have had 2 Discoveries which are fine for towing - would love a Landcruiser but finances don't permit. Friends have had 2 Terranos which have also been fine, but word of warning - we bought a petrol Terrano to tow a 4 horse Fautras trailer with one horse and a carriage. It was low mileage, lovely condition and had high enough specified towing capacity for the trailer - looked a real bargain - but it really used to struggle and we traded it for a Discovery after barely making it to a show in the Peak District in first gear. Stick to diesel! |
| vanishtrik |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 10:48:22 AM
i had an Isuzu trooper for a lot of years great for towing not bad on fuel considering the engine size 3.1. i now have a ford ranger double cab pickup tows like a dream and the pickup part is very useful fuel wise about the same as my trooper |
| navaho621 |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 12:01:19 AM
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 2.5 for us here, its done loads of towing miles up & down the M4 & winding Welsh country lanes & it hasn't let us down yet! Its also towed quite a few people out over the snowy period we've just had. Big plus point is its got loads of boot space & plenty of leg room in the back for passengers!
Would also recommend our old Terrano we used to own, that was also fantastic to tow with. |
| Pauline |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 11:52:21 PM
In November I bought my 3rd Land Rover Discovery and during all this snow it has been a godsend.
Have towed umpteen cars etc out of snow drifts,all without going into 4wheel drive.
I have also towed a trailer with 2ton of hay during this cold spell, not any problems at all.
The one I have is an automatic and gives the horses a very smooth ride.
I just love my Disco.
Pauline |
| lisa b |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 11:24:18 PM
i love my freelander.. but wouldnt tow with it!!! no way man enough!!!! i stick to my lorry x |
| MinHe |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 10:01:32 PM
We have a Discovery and love it! It isn't a good town car (commuter traffic really drinks diesel), but on a loong run it's economical, and also when towing. the great thing about it as a tow vehicle is that you can't tell you've got anything behind it, it hardly affects the performance, even with our big old Rice on the back of it.
Ours is the 300TDi, which is more economical to maintain than the newer 5TDi (which has an expensive German engine) - and the BIG thing about Land Rovers of all complexions is that the parts are a LOT cheaper (in some cases less than 1/3rd) the price of the equivalent part for a Japanese 4x4. Ours was 10 when we bought it, and according to both the independent mechanic (Landy specialist) who checked it out for us AND our present service garage, it's good for at least another 10 years.
I wouldn't try towing with a Freelander - they don't have enough guts for serious pulling, and also I doubt if legally they can take the weight of a loaded trailer.
You can get a decent, older Disco quite cheaply - and they hold a reasonable value, which is good. Apparently ours has gone UP in value since we bought it, LOL!
Keren |
| Nerusa |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 9:41:39 PM
Yet another fan of Daihatsu Fourtraks! I've an M-reg Fieldman (2-seater, no windows in back) and had it nearly 5 years. The guy I bought it from (a farmer) has rued the day he sold it to me because he's not found anything since with such good power to size.
I have run mine in almost constant 4-high this winter and am getting approx 25 mpg, and in towing for one horse in summer conditions, it is the same. I wouldn't want to pull my double trailer with anything else; I drove it 250 miles and back to collect a horse a couple of years ago and it was an absolute dream the whole way. You'd hardly know you were pulling anything.
Whoever at Daihatsu decided to stop making these should be taken out and shot! |
