I know it's probably not the most appropriate topic with the current weather conditions, but having just had a detachable tow bar fitted in readiness for towing a horse trailer (which we haven't got yet), I was wondering if anyone else on here tows a horse trailer and if so how do you get on?

I seem to remember some previous comments relating to the ball height being a little on the high side. If so, does this have any bearing with a horse trailer attached and can anything be done about it? Anyone have any recommendations as to which horse trailers to go for (we'll be buying secondhand)?

Any feedback on this subject would be most welcome.

Hi jlwah

Fwiw I'd counsel you to investigate Ifor Williams trailers. As a family we had, for over 30 years, a variety of ponies and horses, and as a result had a varaiety of trailers and lorries to transport them around the country.

We found Rice, which used to be considered the tops, to be very heavy for towing, and also not so good in terms of actual usability. We'd a nasty scare once too, when the mare's foot went through the floor where it had rotted under the rubber matting. I've also seen that happen on a number of other occasions, professionally.

The Ifor Williams Hunter type would seem to have the best facilities and functionality, and they're not dreadfully expensive either. They have their matting welded to the floor so it doesn't ruck up under the horses feet, and the ramps too have fixed rubber matting.

If looking second hand, be prepared to spend as much as you can on the box. Too often it is relegated to the bargain basement of horse-owners requirements - with some horrific results. You need it to be as safe and as sound as the horse itself. Make sure the flooring is solid and safe, thet the ramps work easily and quietly, that the electrics all function inside and out (you have to have the internal light ON when driving with a horse inside), make sure the brakes and the handbrake are fully functional easily with the minimum of effort both to put them on and also when letting them off. Make sure the actual hitch is well greased and rust free and has the requisite safety hitch and wire, and that the electric connections are not rubbed away and eroded! If you can, get one with an inflatable jockey wheel rather than a solid one - they are easier to pull about.

If it has a partition, make sure there atre no sharp bits sticking out and that you can undo the bolts easily. Make sure the top doors are not warped, so that they shut properly in bad weather, or if you're changing inside!!

And finally (I hope) make sure all FIVE tyres are in good condition, especially the spare which may never have been used and may have deteriorated.

Our Ifor Williams lasted us for years and though the green paint faded and the aluminium toned down it was as good as new when we sold it. The figure of £2500 comes to mind - about 7 years ago, and they seem to hold their value too.

There are one of two other possibly cheaper makes which should be avoided either becasue they're unstable, or they are actually too light!

Hope this all helps! Towing a box could make the subject of a post all of its own, if you want!!

Good luck

Edit - jockey wheel

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Freshacre

Fwiw I'd counsel you to investigate Ifor Williams trailers.

+1

Go on any farm and look at the trailers and the canopy on the Land Rover 90 that you will see there... 9 times out of 10 it will be an Ifor Williams. And many of those are many years old and still going. Says it all in my book.

Now I wonder why ALL their horse boxes are pictured with Land Rovers?!!? hehehe You send them some new pictures with a Yeti once you get your horse box!

Wow, what a great write-up Freshacre...( you almost make me want to buy one, and I hate horses.)

I would endorse all that Freshacre has said, but would add watch your weights. It is all too easy with a horse exceeding your vehicle max towing capacity.

but would add watch your weights. It is all too easy with a horse exceeding your vehicle max towing capacity.

Good point to have in mind - and calculate that the "average" old nag will be 400-500 Kg for a 15 to 16 hand mount then you're half way to your limit in the 170 diesel. Ponies, obviously, are a fair bit less, mothers in law about the same.

Should be OK, and anyway - leave the worst old nag at home to make the tea.

I would endorse all that Freshacre has said, but would add watch your weights. It is all too easy with a horse exceeding your vehicle max towing capacity.

Also check that your licence legally entitles you to tow. I am not sure of the exact dates but i think if you passed your driving tests AFTER 1997 then you have to take a further trailer test. Local Agricultural college should point you in the right direction or Yellow Pages under driver training. I imagine he Yeti will only tow 750kg Unbraked probably around 1500kg braked(check the brochure) so as above you must check your weights not just to be legal but safe too. Remember it will take much longer to stop. Will also be hard on the clutch especially reversing. trailer manufacturers data will declare the un laden weight of the trailer. Make sure the breakaway cable is also functioning corectly. I inspect livestock vehicles for work and more often or not they are broken as are the lights and lighting cables.

In fact I carried out a joint inspection once(VOSA, Police and LA) at the local livestock mart and around 86% of vehicles/trailers were defective in some way or another. A fair number of vehicles were checked too.

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by loskie

Thanks for all the feedback, particularly from Freshacre!

The braked towing limit on the Yeti is 2000kgs, so with a 500kg horse, a 750kg trailer and assorted riding paraphernalia (I have no idea what it's called, or what it entails, I'm simply here to write the cheques ) I think we'll be ok on weight.

SWMBO has mentioned that she'd like an Ifor Williams or Bateson trailer, so that's her Christmas present taken care of . . . .

for the next 10 years!

Can anyone here confirm or deny the ball height situation?

750kg seems very light for a horse box. I would check that.

The towball on my car is within the specified heights, but towards the top end. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for all the feedback, particularly from Freshacre!

The braked towing limit on the Yeti is 2000kgs, so with a 500kg horse, a 750kg trailer and assorted riding paraphernalia (I have no idea what it's called, or what it entails, I'm simply here to write the cheques ) I think we'll be ok on weight.

SWMBO has mentioned that she'd like an Ifor Williams or Bateson trailer, so that's her Christmas present taken care of . . . .

for the next 10 years!

Can anyone here confirm or deny the ball height situation?

Hi jlwah

I am not a Horse expert, but I bet a mature horse is nearer 1000Kgs than 500kgs, and I would not like to put 2000kgs behind a car that has a kerb weight of 1535 Kgs.

If you are towing a horse around I would be looking at a bigish 4x4 that will cope with the weights.

But I would not worry about the tow ball height, the Yeti is not a capable tow car (for something that big)

Radiotwo

http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/horsebox/hb506?tab=spec

There's the link to the specs of the Ifor Williams trailers - and even the middle one with 950kg U/W would allow you two 15 handers inside a Yeti's limit.

Well from the Ifor Williams website the smallest horsebox is 767kg unladen (going up to 1000kg for the biggest model) with a maximum gross weight of 1600kg (and 2600 and 2700kg for the two biggest models).

Thus with a Yeti and a horse I'd say only the smallest horsebox can be towed with the Yeti's max towable weight being 2000kg according to the brochure.

But all depends on how many horses and what said horses weigh I guess!

And for Radiotwo - you might find this to be of interest:

http://www.omafra.go...acts/98-093.htm

which just confirms my 40 year's experience in dealing with these 4 legged creatures, particularly when anaesthetising them!

And as a wee word of comfort for the OP, given that your SWMBO will be towing her best beloved in that trailer and that she'll be going nice and steady, neither she, nor you, should have any qualms about using the Yeti for the purpose you are intending.

Again, from years of personal experience, and not just opinion.

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Freshacre

And as an aside Ifor Williams trailers are very sought after second hand, so you can get nearly all your money back if you no longer need it.

I recently sold my trailer as I was not prepared to fund the Yeti towbar cost on a company car at my expense. I dont mind £150 or so but the yeti is expensive at £650 plus as I would have had to install the manufacturers towbar, not an after market one.

I paid £830 for my Ifor P6e trailer 9 years ago, looked after it and kept it under cover and sold it for £770 on e-bay in July. I think £60 for 9 years use is a bargain, especially as the purchaser was also prepared to drive 900 miles round trip to collect it! The same trailer new now is only around £1050, and that includes a spare wheel which mine never had!

They are very well made and can stand up to a lot of use and still stay in good condition.

But I would not worry about the tow ball height, the Yeti is not a capable tow car (for something that big)

Radiotwo

That is a very strong statement for someone who doesn't drive a Yeti. Would you like to provide some evidence or justification, as it certainly goes against what we owners have found, plus what was found by the caravan press?

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Llanigraham

Hi jlwah

I am not a Horse expert, but I bet a mature horse is nearer 1000Kgs than 500kgs, and I would not like to put 2000kgs behind a car that has a kerb weight of 1535 Kgs.

If you are towing a horse around I would be looking at a bigish 4x4 that will cope with the weights.

But I would not worry about the tow ball height, the Yeti is not a capable tow car (for something that big)

Radiotwo

A dray horse my weigh near a 1000kgs, but ours certainly doesn't. It's between 15.3 and 16 hands so according to the various charts I've looked at, I think 500 kgs is pretty close to the mark.

If we towed the horse in an Ifor Williams HB403 single horse trailer then the combined weight would be approx 1250 kgs, which is well within the towing ratio of 85% of the vehicle weight that I read somewhere was the recommended maximum safe towing limit.

In addition, the tow bar fitted is the westfalia kit from a Skoda dealer and as part of that fitment the car has had its ECU reprogrammed for towing. So (in theory) the cars ESP should sense any unwanted trailer movement and help correct any wayward behaviour before it started causing problems.

So I have no real worries about using the Yeti to tow a horse trailer, I think it's more than capable. Of course a Range Rover TDi V8 would probably be my towing vehicle of choice for this purpose, but unless the Lottery finger points in my direction that's not going to be an option.

And as Freshacre also suggested, SWMBO will be driving with the utmost caution whilst towing (or so she assures me!)

That is a very strong statement for someone who doesn't drive a Yeti. Would you like to provide some evidence or justification, as it certainly goes against what we owners have found, plus what was found by the caravan press?

My justification is I tow for a living,and I see too many Trailers, Caravans, and even horse boxes turned over because the towcar is not heavy enough to handle a large trailer. and even though Skoda state that a Yeti is cabable of towing 2000Kgs, that is well over the 85% rule, as the cars ULW is just over 1500 Kgs.

You need to check the data plate to see what the car will tow leagally, but to have a car that the "tail waggs the dog" as they say is not safe in my mind, to add to the equation, a horse is not strapped down, so potential for movement, and this would cause poss extra problems.

When I tow a trailer with two and a half tonnes on it the goods are securely strapped down, and no chance of movement.

Radiotwo

My justification is I tow for a living,and I see too many Trailers, Caravans, and even horse boxes turned over because the towcar is not heavy enough to handle a large trailer. and even though Skoda state that a Yeti is cabable of towing 2000Kgs, that is well over the 85% rule, as the cars ULW is just over 1500 Kgs.

You need to check the data plate to see what the car will tow leagally, but to have a car that the "tail waggs the dog" as they say is not safe in my mind, to add to the equation, a horse is not strapped down, so potential for movement, and this would cause poss extra problems.

When I tow a trailer with two and a half tonnes on it the goods are securely strapped down, and no chance of movement.

Radiotwo

1/

It is not the unladen weight of a vehicle that is the most important, but it's kerbside weight, which is NOT 1500kg. Check your legislation for that.

2/

The 85% is NOT a Rule, but a suggestion first promulgated by the Caravan Club, then the Camping & Caravan Club. Currently both are reconsidering their advice and thinking of increasing it to 90%. And they base that figure on the vehicles KERBSIDE weight.

3/

Legally the Yeti 140bhp diesel 4x4 can tow 2000kg. That is what is on the VIN plate and in the Handbook. These figures do NOT exceed the MGVTW stated on the plate.

Sorry, but before you make statements check your facts.

And another thing.....

The centre of gravity in a double axle trailer is pretty low, firstly.

Secondly, thevfact that the 'orse is NOT strapped in is a distinct advantage because they constantly adjust to the movement, and thereby help this pretty theoretical point.

You cannot really compare a caravan, with their large exposed surface lateral area to that of a horse trailer. And the whole physics of a horse trailer is different to a caravan.

Only once in the past four decades have I seen a problem with a box overturning (fortunately, as I know it can happen as with any combination) and that was due to driver fatigue, having been towing for 20 hours, then clipping a kerb when a mile from home.

There is actually a funny story linked to that experience, as I was called out to attend to the horse at about three in the morning, as it had had it's udder ripped off in the accident. When I got there I found various bods rummaging in the straw for the offending article, and they were ever so glad that I was able to tell them that the mare was on it's way home from having a mastectomy for "breast" cancer!!

Chill boys; we each have valid viewpoints, and we mean well, according to our experiences - which is all we have as evidence for our thoughts.

I hope all this helps the OP and his SWMBO do what is best for them in their situation..

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Freshacre

Hi - Im glad this question has been asked as I was also thinking of using the Yeti for towing a horse box. I've ordered a 110Bhp 4x4 diesel. I've looked at the Ivor williams site and had come to the conclusion that a single horse box and a 15-3 TB should be within the recommended 85%. Does anyone on here have any experience of towing the single horse boxes?? - lots of people have told me that they are meant to be unstable - so would appreciate any helpful comments.

Not ordered the tow bar option yet - as will take some time to save up foe a new box so will do it later.

A dray horse my weigh near a 1000kgs, but ours certainly doesn't. It's between 15.3 and 16 hands so according to the various charts I've looked at, I think 500 kgs is pretty close to the mark.

If we towed the horse in an Ifor Williams HB403 single horse trailer then the combined weight would be approx 1250 kgs, which is well within the towing ratio of 85% of the vehicle weight that I read somewhere was the recommended maximum safe towing limit.

In addition, the tow bar fitted is the westfalia kit from a Skoda dealer and as part of that fitment the car has had its ECU reprogrammed for towing. So (in theory) the cars ESP should sense any unwanted trailer movement and help correct any wayward behaviour before it started causing problems.

So I have no real worries about using the Yeti to tow a horse trailer, I think it's more than capable. Of course a Range Rover TDi V8 would probably be my towing vehicle of choice for this purpose, but unless the Lottery finger points in my direction that's not going to be an option.

And as Freshacre also suggested, SWMBO will be driving with the utmost caution whilst towing (or so she assures me!)

We've got a Ifor HB510 ( the double horse one). Unladen is 950kg as I think was previously stated. We tow two horses, 15.2 & 12.2hh and estimate (by weight tape) the total to be close to 1000kg, meaning we're close to 2000kg in total.

At the time we bought a tow car, the Yeti wasn't around, so we looked at the various alternatives, but the Landrover dealer (who admitttedly was probably trying to sell us a Disco) said the closer the tow weight was to the limit, the shorter the clutch life would be.

just something to think about.

Regarding the Ifor's, as previously stated, the resale value is high. In the end, we bought a new one, as the cost (with a discount) was only a few hundred over the cost of a second hand 3yr old trailer). Brilliant trailer though. Tows like a dream and we've had horses (obviously), hay (40 bales), three piece suite, beds in it (not at the same time though ).

Does anyone on here have any experience of towing the single horse boxes?? - lots of people have told me that they are meant to be unstable - so would appreciate any helpful comments.

Haven't towed one yet, but I think the stories surrounding the stability of single horse boxes relates to the old versions which were litterally half the width of a double box with a similarly narrow track.

The current single horse boxes are normally referred to as mare and foal boxes and they are about 2/3rds the width of a double.

The Ifor HB403 (single) has an overall width of 1.73m and the HB506 (double) is 2.10m wide, so not a huge amount between them.

Salesmans pitch re the clutch life as it is not the weight being towed but a host of other factors, as in loads of short stop start journeys, the requirment? for laden uphill starts, the terrain one is operating ( but should not be) in BUT mostly driver skill or driver ignorance /lack of skill and thereby abuse of the clutch.i.e A clutch should NOT be "slipped" unless for that fraction of a second starting off, with minimal revs & when the revs are being piled on ones foot should be on the floor. ALWAYS

If necessary use the low box to get moving and especially for reversing.

Simples.

I know of farmers who drive with there foot on the clutch pedal all the time and see the clutch as a "service" part. Other farmers manage to get the lifetime of the vehicle out of the clutch. Plain & simple it is down to driver skill. Anyway if the vehicle is rated to tow 3500kg the bloody clutch should be designed so as to be fit for that requirment.

cheers

M

Edited 6 December, 201015 yr by dieseldogg

Hi - Im glad this question has been asked as I was also thinking of using the Yeti for towing a horse box. I've ordered a 110Bhp 4x4 diesel. I've looked at the Ivor williams site and had come to the conclusion that a single horse box and a 15-3 TB should be within the recommended 85%. Does anyone on here have any experience of towing the single horse boxes?? - lots of people have told me that they are meant to be unstable - so would appreciate any helpful comments.

Hi

The instability that is associated with single horse trailers came from Sinclair and Richardson makes about 35 - 45 years ago - LONG before current legislation governing their construction and use came about. There were some blood curdling stories of the things toppling over, bot while being towed (clipping a kerb) and also when negotiating roadsides to park up, and so on.

Whilst I've only ever towed one once back in the mists of time, they have always struck me as a bit daft, and limiting, to say nothing of a much reduced second hand value at selling time.

A suitable double trailer would seem to me to be the most sensible, even if you have only one four-legged crittur to drag about. I is simply astonishing how much "essential" clobber horsey people accumulate which simply has to be taken everywhere too. And if you have a double box, there will be room for it all in the second standing.

One final point in favour of a double over a single. If the horse is a reluctant loader, and it is surprising how many are, with a double box the partition will swing wide open to allow full-width loading, and the same will be true at the front end for a nice wide walkway to the front ramp, something that is always desirable.

And of course, having seen others in this thread point out the accurate weights and figures, and make sensible comments about legislation, you will know that your YETI will provide spacious comfortable, effective and economical towing for years. It isnt as if the car will be towing all day every day! (Though from personal expense, sorry experience, the horse bug is one that never lets go and is constantly escalating which shows you go to, getting further and further afield.)

A suitable double trailer would seem to me to be the most sensible, even if you have only one four-legged crittur to drag about. I is simply astonishing how much "essential" clobber horsey people accumulate which simply has to be taken everywhere too. And if you have a double box, there will be room for it all in the second standing.

I agree about the "essential clobber" comment, however what I'm still unsure about is the law relating to plated gross trailer weights and vehicles plated towing weights. I was under the impression that if the trailer gross weight exceeds the vehicles towing weight then that is illegal, even if the trailer is not loaded.

The gross weight of a 2 horse Ifor trailer (HB506) is 2600kgs against the Yeti towing weight of 2000kgs. Whereas a single trailer (HB403) is rated at 1600kg gross weight. Now I know you can have the trailer derated by the manufacturer, but when buying secondhand it's still an issue when bringing the trailer home. Or maybe I've got this wrong?