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The tack room
Car suitable for towing horse box
CambridgeAh · 26/01/2021 17:54
Hi could anyone recommend a 4x4 suitable for towing two chunky ponies in a horse box?
Would love a Defender but think it’s out of our budget unless very old. I think I would prefer something newer if it’s more likely to be better for the environment.
Thanks 🙏
FanFckingTastic · 26/01/2021 19:28
We have a Ssangyong Rexton. It's great for towing and a nice enough drive if you are just using it as a regular car too. We looked at quite a few cars before we go it but liked the Rexton the most. The only downside is there don't tend to be many around!
Hampotsandonions · 26/01/2021 19:33
After much research, we've just bought a secondhand Jeep Grand Cherokee which can tow up up to 3,500 kg. Very solid.
Merc ML but ££££!
EmmaC78 · 26/01/2021 21:29
I have a Kia Sorrento which I love - It only tows 2800kg though so would depend on the weight of the ponies.
EmmaC78 · 26/01/2021 21:30
@EmmaC78
Sorry think it might be 2500kg actually.
Hampotsandonions · 27/01/2021 11:18
If you buy second hand, try and buy a car that doesn't have a tow bar already fitted; that way you can be fairly sure that is hasn't done a lot of hauling already.
TheFnozwhowasmirage · 27/01/2021 19:43
I have a Kia Sorento too,an older one. The pre 2009 automatic,which mine is,tows 3500kg easily. Mines 14 years old now and I'm dreading the day that I have to replace it,as the new ones don't have such a high tow capacity and are fancier and more expensive.
CrotchetyQuaver · 27/01/2021 20:00
You want something that can tow a minimum of 2,000kg, depending on how often you change vehicles, more might be better as chunky ponies turn into bigger ponies and/or horses.
How bigs your budget? I have an old Defender which is also a rolling restoration project, as their value is going up and up so what it costs kind of doesn't matter as I intend keeping it pretty much forever. I also like the vinyl seats and rubber flooring as it's easy to sweep out/wash the mud off. I also like that it's relatively small compared to modern cars so easy to park when I go to the shops.
I rather like the newer Volvo xc 90s which have a decent towing capacity. The older ones don't, so you would need to check that.
If it's a lower budget what about a discovery or one of the Japanese 4x4s. A lot of my friends rate their Kia's for towing. Otherwise it's a pick up truck, but I found them very wide - their length wasnt a problem for me as I started towing ponies with a Volvo estate.
CambridgeAh · 28/01/2021 08:21
Thanks everyone. You have certainly opened my eyes to quite a range of vehicles, this is brilliant. @Hampotsandonions good tip about the tow bar thanks.
@CrotchetyQuaver I do like the idea of a project - or at least, a vehicle that could hold its value. Do you work on the car yourself?
CrotchetyQuaver · 28/01/2021 10:15
Lol no! I'm very fortunate to have a brilliant Land Rover mechanic within walking distance of our house! I couldn't even consider doing it without them...
Megan2018 · 28/01/2021 10:24
How heavy is your trailer?
I had a lightweight Bateson Ascot which gave more options for tow vehicle compared to a heavy Ifor.
2 chunky Welsh cobs in my trailer had a combined weight of around 2,000kg - whereas in an Ifor it was more like 2,500kg
NastyBlouse · 28/01/2021 10:30
All the tow-ers I know have Korean or Japanese 4x4s: Mitsubishi Shogun (the LWB one), Ssangyong Rexton or older shape Kia Sorento. The odd Hyundai Terracan but that only goes up to 2,800kg I think.
Most of the pick-ups (Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux) tow up to 3,500kg, except the VW Amarok which goes to 3,000kg.
CambridgeAh · 29/03/2021 16:17
Hi all, thanks for your help before.
I am coming back to this now, because I have bought a second hand Ifor Williams 506... 🙌
I have been looking for a SsangYong Rexton, but they are tricky to find, unfortunately, and a car dealer friend tells me spares can also be a challenge to source.
DH wants a 7 seater. One option we are considering is a 2017 Skoda Kodiaq, which can tow up to 2000kg, or (for slightly over our budget) a 2017 Discovery Sport... but that seems to be similarly limited in capacity.
Would either of these work or do you think we should keep looking? Any thoughts welcomed! Thanks 
CambridgeAh · 29/03/2021 19:12
I’ve answered my own question by lots of googling. I think we might try for a Kia Sorento
Welshponyslave · 29/03/2021 19:16
We have a Land Rover discovery sport and I can’t feel the trailer on the back. Husband did a lot of research and has a friend who knows his land rovers and recommended the discovery. It is our 2nd one and I am very happy with it.
We had a Hillux before and it was amazing for taking equipment to shows and to tow with but not the easiest car for day to day.
MarySanderson · 29/03/2021 22:46
We have a ssangyong rexton, you can get them with 7 seats. We've had 3 now I think, and have never had a problem getting spares. When we got the first one a few years ago it was a VERY long time until we saw another - months. Now we see one most days as they've become a lot more popular. Tows better than a Discovery, Shogun, Jeep or the Trooper back in the day.
CambridgeAh · 30/03/2021 19:49
Thanks again. @MarySanderson, if you don’t mind me asking do you have any experience buying used Ssangyong or did you generally buy new and trade in?
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