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Post by carolinec on Sept 18, 2009 8:14:21 GMT -1
Hello Everyone.
We are looking at buying a 4x4 & trailer as I have just joined my local riding club. I won't need to travel too far, perhaps 10 - 20 miles. It looks like Sam might be sold (again - long story) but I am determined to get "out & about" with whatever pony/horse I buy next.
We are therefore hoping to buy a 4x4 & a trailer - both will be old as we don't have much cash. It is also possible that one of us will have to use the 4x4 to travel to work each day (about 40 mile round trip) so we need something that doesn't bleed fuel (a tall order I know:) )
Please can I have your recommendations so I know what to look for?
It would need a tow a double trailer as I have met a local woman who is interested in us going out together.
So far the 2.8 Diesel Daihatsu Fourtrak & Range Rover 2.5 Diesel have been suggested as possibilities.
Thanks
Caroline
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Post by dalesponyrider on Sept 18, 2009 9:21:42 GMT -1
My advice would be to get a LONG wheel base whatever make you buy, especially if you are towing 2 horses. I must admit, even with my LWB Pajero, which I love, I think I would balk at towing 2 horses. I know lots of people do it, but I would rather take 2 in a small lorry.
I remember reading the comments of a woman who was a motorway traffic cop on Saddleup years ago. She used to get very angry at people towing with cars as she felt they weren't up to the job. It was her advice to only use a LWB 4x4. She felt that it was the only safe vehicle to tow with as she was used to picking up the pieces, literally.
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Post by loopylou on Sept 18, 2009 11:53:02 GMT -1
We have got a Short Wheel base shogun and a L200 and we wouldn't have anything different. They are both super towing trucks, even the Short Wheel Shogun, i have towed long distance with my pony and a 17hh horse in the trailer and it pulls the trailer like a dream. Trouble is to have a good towing 4x4 that can also legally tow the weight behind, it is going to drink a bit more than any off us would like.  We love and you can't beat the Ifor Williams trailer, unfortunately not even the second hand ones are cheap or easy to come by, but they don't seem to loose there value. Well worth every penny you send on it. |
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Post by harleydales on Sept 18, 2009 13:10:46 GMT -1
I use my Daihatsu (has pulled 2), we used to hava Nissan Navara and now have an Izisu Denver (pick-up) which will tow 2 up no problem. I've done long trips with all the vehicles nad haven't had any problems.
You need to check the legal towing limit of any 4x4 you buy - and remember your trailer will weigh almost a tonne, plus your 2 horses coule equal a tonne, plus your stuff. It soon adds up!
Vehicle and trailer maintenance is also important - tyre pressures, brakes etc as well as routine floor and lights.
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Post by carolinec on Sept 18, 2009 13:39:19 GMT -1
I will probably only have one horse most of the time but you never know......
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Post by lyndales on Sept 19, 2009 13:25:52 GMT -1
We tow our Ifor williams 505 with a mercedes vito van (its the one with the extra row of seats - 115cdi) and it is fantastic - you don't even know you are towing anything. I usually take my dales and my daughters connemara in it. Would highly recommend this combination. The van is fantastic on diesel and it feels like driving a car. In fact I prefer it to my car!
Lynda x
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Post by cadeby on Sept 19, 2009 15:34:20 GMT -1
Mercedes Vito....Would highly recommend this combination. As someone who borrows Lynda's Mercedes Vito Dualiner regularly (it's miles more economical than my gas guzzling Jeep Cherokee and tows better) I'll second that recommendation  The 115cdi tows up to 2500kg, so with a trailer and 2 Dales onboard you're still easily within the 80% rule  Plus tons of room in the back for gear or even a bed! We want to buy one ourselves. |
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Post by dalesponyrider on Sept 19, 2009 17:50:00 GMT -1
Just had a look on the web.............. I WANT ONE!!!!!!
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Post by carolinec on Sept 20, 2009 9:19:24 GMT -1
The Mercedes Dualiner does look fantastic but they are rather out of my (very limited) budget |
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Post by dalesponyrider on Sept 20, 2009 16:31:43 GMT -1
I'm looking for a lottery win Caroline! LOL!
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Post by carolinec on Sept 20, 2009 19:39:55 GMT -1
Yes, that's the only way I could get one too Linda If you don't mind my asking...... How is the Pajero for..... 1) Tax 2) Miles per gallon. |
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Post by dalesponyrider on Sept 20, 2009 20:12:27 GMT -1
£107 for six months. About 28 mpg unfortunately.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 21:38:01 GMT -1
Hi, have used both a diesel fourtrak and a nissan terrano tdi with ifor 505, usually carries only one but has carried two, last big trip was my friends two highland ponies!!!
The foutrak was a great tow car if a little agricultural for general driving (it was old) gave about 30mpg non towing and oddly only a few mpg less than this when we took my older mare to breed show a few years ago.
The terrano is a recent aquisition as the fourtrak sucummed to metal worm (rust) and like you the pennies were limited so we did a bit of research and the list was:
terrano 2 tdi - tows 2.8t (even swb) mpg approx 30
newer fourtrak - tows 3.5t mpg approx 30
landrover/discovery - tows 3.5t mpg considerably less and in my price bracket reliability issues
mitsubishi/izusu etc can't remember exact towing weight but within spec, mpg on all were 25 -28 as I remember
Test drove a disco but couldn't find one in my price range with a floor! Excluded the mitsub etc on mpg grounds, the newer 4tracks were just out of my range so i was left with the terrano 2.
And to be fair am so far very pleased, we have used it daily for several months (was meant as a tow car only) and it's managed 35mpg tooting in to work ( i do about 25mile to work with some good open stretches)
Trailer wise I've only used an old ifor 505 (very old) and it's great, tows like a dream, and easier to tow than a caravan.
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Post by carolinec on Sept 21, 2009 8:08:18 GMT -1
Thanks very much I will add the Nissan Terrano to my list..... Top of my list at the moment is the Daihatsu Fourtrak as loads of horsey people near me have them and think they are wonderful (probably don't drive to work in them like I am going to have to though). |
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Post by lancslass on Sept 21, 2009 13:44:56 GMT -1
hi caroline,
we towed an ifor 505 with the fourtrak for quite a lot of years and LOVED it. it was well on top of its job. i have a landrover discovery at mo but don't tow much with it as we have the wagon, it is fairly good on juice ..get about 30-34 mpg, but thats not towing ...its an 04 diesel, 3500kg tow capacity and 2.5l engine.
if i had to go back to towing a trailer then i would definately go straight back to the daihatsu fourtrak....after F reg the bodywork improves and they don't suffer the same from the rust problems. we had a J reg, M reg and last one we had was a W reg...the two earlier ones were immaculate on their bodywork for the year.
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