Best towing vehicles for horse trailers

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Best towing vehicles for horse trailers

The best towing vehicles for a horse trailer will be heavy enough to maintain control of the 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 licence. 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 licence 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. On the motorways, the upper limit is currently 60 mph. Trailer insurance is not a legal requirement, but without it, you will be personally liable if the trailer is the cause of an accident. Speak with your broker on what insurance is available for towing trailers.

Vehicles for towing a horse trailer

The budget option : 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.

The 2.4 litre DOHC 16-valve I-4 option has 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque for both the FWD and the AWD versions. This vehicle has a max towing capacity of 2 tonnes.
3.3 litre DOHC 24-valve V6 has 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. With FWD option the towing capacity is 2.5 tonnes. With the AWD option, the towing capacity is 3.5 tonnes.

The Traditional Choice : Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover has always been a workhorse for the UK farmer. The Discovery model is the latest SUV from their line-up 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.

3.0L supercharged VG petrol engine has 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque with AWD has a towing capacity of 3.7 tonnes.
3.0L turbocharged diesel engine with 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque has a towing capacity with AWD is 3.5 tonnes.

The Pickup Choice : 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.

2.4L turbo diesel with 148 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
2.8L turbo diesel with 201 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

The premium choice : 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.

3.0L with 268 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque has a towing capacity of 2.8 tonnes.

Premium Alternative: 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.

3.0L V6 diesel with 325 hp and 516 lb-ft torque has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
4.0L V8 petrol with 489 hp and 516 lb-ft torque has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

These are the best available options for 2021 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 choose the one you can afford that best meets with your driver requirements