What car for towing?

I would go for a 3.5t horsebox van.

This sort of thing (first one that came up on eBay, this one is apparently sold) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276482373554?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=un4MMHv6SY6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=5lEspz7VR4C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Look in the back of horse magazines, or horse forums for listings.

They hold their prices really well so you shouldn’t lose much on it.

I’m sure that there is also some special rate of VED for horseboxes, and insurance was insignificant.

It also means that you will not be running another car that is bigger than it needs to be when horses are not involved.

My wife recently sold her 28 year old rust bucket of a Sprinter that we’ve had for 10+ years for about £5k. I think that we only paid £8k.

It was an absolute wreck that stank of horse piss, but reliable for the occasional horsey use that it was needed for.

It also helped on several house moves, was slept in at festivals, and acted as the stage/nightclub at our wedding in a field.

Citroen BX or Xantia

How far have you got to tow it?

Until you’ve got a horse going bat-shit crazy in the back

Yeh fair enough, I’ve only towed with a 3.5t van with a 3.5t tow limit so the only thing I really notice is the reduction in performance, actual weight is about 5t and it only has 130hp.  Can hardly tell the trailer and horse are there otherwise!

We’ve done lots of eventing and only got stuck once with its 2wd, and that was a huge Equitrek trailer that grounded its chassis on a hump as we parked up.  I feel no shame though as they were towing in lorries with two tractors and they were sinking so deep the diffs were trenching the field, and there was a blinged up Defender with huge mud tyres that couldn’t even make it along the flat section to the exit and needed a tow from a Shogun.

So if you are looking for an excuse for a camper, get an Iveco and trailer rather than a horsebox van conversion

🙂

Be careful of DIY conversions like the one Peekay has linked too, some of them are pretty heavy and only have payload for one horse.  That one has a heavy composite/fibreglass body rather than the lighter material the established conversion companies use.  And at some larger events we have seen the DVSA weighing vehicles arriving at events and have also had them coming around onsite doing checks such as tyres.

BX or Xantia… 🤣

Small van horse boxes are great if you use them regularly.

Most seem to be parked up for months on end at livery yards and get taken to a show once in a blue moon by pony patters who suddenly remember they have a horse! 🤣🤣

Be careful of DIY conversions like the one Peekay has linked too, some of them are pretty heavy and only have payload for one horse

Fair point. I didn’t look at the listing in too much detail before sharing, but I still stand by my point that finding a good 3.5t horsebox is a  alternative worth considering instead of a new car + trailer for occasional horsey use if you have no other need for a large second car.

I agree Peekay, sorry wasn’t trying to pick holes just a general warning for conversions from luton vans (and those Sainsburys/Ocado style vans don’t have the headroom for more than a pony)

Nissan terrano? Or they a bit long in the tooth for you..  Pretty bullet proof and are a proper 4×4.

Sanyong rexton?  Merc engine from memory.

Horse boxes are normally rusty bags of crap or fortunes.

Never seen middle ground ones.  Plus 3.5t and your not carrying much and your at the limit.

£150k on an Oakley with granit worktops and a shower for the horses. You just aren’t taking it seriously otherwise.

How far have you got to tow it?

Depends on the event – last half term we did anything from 30 mile round trips to 120 miles. As she gets her horse up to speed (we’ve recently taken it on a full loan and it’s not fully fit just yet) I am sure she’ll want to do more and travel further for more experiences.