The best towing vehicles for a horse trailer will be heavy enough to maintain control of trailer when loaded to help keep both the horse and its owner safe during the transport operation. The larger and heavier your horse trailer is, the bigger the tow vehicle should be. Standard car insurance may provide some coverage for towing a trailer, but it may be limited to cover when being towed only. Best to check with your insurance provider and a separate horse trailer insurance policy should provide you with more comprehensive cover.
When on the road you always want to be following the laws. As an operator, you must hold a valid driving license. For operators that took their test before 1 January 1997 the upper limit of the combined weight of the tow vehicle and trailer is 8.25 tonnes.
For operators that took their driving test after 1 January 1997, they must have also taken the vehicle and trailer test to legally tow a horse trailer. The weight limitation of combined vehicle and trailer is limited to 3.5 tonnes.
For those who need to tow a larger horse trailer, a C1 plus an E license will be required. This has a combined upper weight limit of 7.5 tonnes.
When towing a horse trailer you must also adhere to the adjusted speed limits that will be imposed upon you. When on A roads or single lane highways the upper limit is 50 mph. When on the motorways the upper limit is 60 mph.
All operators of a tow vehicle, recovery vehicle insurance and horse trailer are also legally required to have the ability to see behind them. To fill this need the vehicle must have towing mirrors fitted to the vehicle. Vehicles for towing a horse trailer.
Vehicles for towing a horse trailer
Kia Sorento
The best budget SUV for towing a horse trailer is Kia Sorento. It has a large frame and enough power to do the job. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes and can have the optional locking centre differential. The base price begins at £38,845.
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover has always been a workhorse for the UK farmer. The Discovery model is the latest SUV from their lineup that can carry up to 7 passengers along with meeting your towing needs. This has an advanced tow assist that controls the direction the trailer is going when in reverse. The base model begins at $52,300.
Toyota Hilux
For those who prefer a truck with a bed to help haul supplies and other commodities, the Toyota Hilux is a budget vehicle you could enjoy. To help you keep control there is the trailer sway control. This vehicle is available in standard cab or crew cab. The price begins at £34,925.
Audi Q7
For many, the Audi Q7 is the top choice in terms of reliability and comfort. The towing capacity of this vehicle is increased from 2.8 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes when the air suspension system option is on the vehicle. This system helps the vehicle to remain level with the road’s surface is not. One version available includes a hybrid model with an electric motor to assist propulsion. Prices begin at £48 675.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Mercedes has entered the top of the line SUV market with the GLS class. This SUV rides like a limousine and has the most luxurious third seat in its class. The E-Active body control available option reacts to the road surface for a more controlled and comfortable ride. This model also has a hybrid option for more power. The base price of this model begins at £73,995.
These are the best available options for 2020 when you need to tow a horse trailer. Remember, towing capacity includes both the vehicle weight and the weight of the trailer when loaded. The above cover a large price range and comfort level so choice the one you can afford that fills the needs of hauling your horse to the events scheduled should be used.