Cheap towing vehicle for under 2k?

[Matt106]

I need a cheap and reliable towing vehicle for lugging around the horses at the weekend. Im not wanting to spend more than 2k as it'll only be used a couple of times a month.

Ive looked at old Freelanders but I dont think the towing weight is enough though. Any options considered as I dont know much about 4x4's!

[Matt106]

Are they both reliable with high mileage? I did look at a few Shoguns and some seem reasonable priced.

[Matt106]

Not looked at troopers yet! I'll start looking at them now.

Its been a long time since I went to an event but I might pop over to one this weekend and have a look.

[Morningside]

Matt106 said:

Are they both reliable with high mileage? I did look at a few Shoguns and some seem reasonable priced.

My Pajero was fine. Only fault I found was play on the steering (common fault) - see profile.

Also look at the mileage. Take it for a drive and you can smugly see that they are in kilometers. So the mileage is not as high as it first looks.

[Matt106]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Matt106 said:

Not looked at troopers yet! I'll start looking at them now.

Its been a long time since I went to an event but I might pop over to one this weekend and have a look.

Like I say - A LOT of people may try to put you off the 3.0. Please ignore and research instead.
If you want info, I am happy to witter on.
Bought ours for the same reason as you mention, for pulling SWMBO Horse trailer, I researched up and for the similar money you say, there was only a few that could pull 3Te. (trailer is 1.2Te, and two hefty Nags and you are over 2.5Te)

First Trooper was about £2,250 IIRC - the SWB one in Grey. Good workhorse / Winter hack - stank of Dogs and treated as a Shed. Had the solid 3.1D in it that many reckon to be the best. Rot got the best of it and I then wanted a LWB for a little extra space and fripperies.
Did the research (itocuk.com forums are great) and not put off and got the LWB with bells and whistles and the 3.0D modern Caterpillar lump in it. Certainly a better car and engine. Happily does 60+ with a Trrailer + Horse.

Doubles as my Winter / Dog / lugging / Pub Car / Shed.

Also look for Vauxhall Monterey. Same Car, more bells and Whistles, different Badge, or the Isuzu Bighorn - same again but the Grey Import.

Thanks thats a big help and exactly what i'll be using it for!

[Deluded]

What about a Volvo 850/v70? You can get a goodun well within budget.

[DazedandConfused]

I was in exactly same position a few months back. Went through a few options but if you want to be able to pull a standard trailer anywhere near its max capacity (e.g. IW 505 is 2600 kg) then you need a big 4x4.

I went for a (slightly ropey) Jeep GC 4.7 v8 for £1300 off ebay - you know it makes sense!

D&C

[Matt106]

Slightly ropey doesnt bother me that much aslong as the engines good. I'll happily repair and bodge bodywork but hate working on engines!

Id love a car/estate that would tow but cant find anything with the weight. I need to tow a 16.2h horse and on most occasions another horse similar in size.

[GreatGranny]

Something like this would be ideal.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

With the weight you will need a proper 4x4.

[mrmr96]

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/panel-van/pr...

[Matt106]

mrmr96 said:

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/panel-van/pr...

Id love a van but that has some serious miles on it!

[mrmr96]

Matt106 said:

Id love a van but that has some serious miles on it!

It does indeed. However it was just the first big sub £2k van I saw which looked a bit tidy. It you go to the vans section of autotrader there's loads for sale and hopefully one will be what you're after. I was really just throwing the idea in to the ring that you needn't get a "4x4 car" as these can be expensive, when a big heavy van may do what you need it to a bit better.

[mrmr96]

doogz said:

mrmr96 said:

Matt106 said:

Id love a van but that has some serious miles on it!

It does indeed. However it was just the first big sub £2k van I saw which looked a bit tidy. It you go to the vans section of autotrader there's loads for sale and hopefully one will be what you're after. I was really just throwing the idea in to the ring that you needn't get a "4x4 car" as these can be expensive, when a big heavy van may do what you need it to a bit better.

Until you have to pull the 2.8T trailer into a mucky grassy field at a competition, with a 2WD van.

Hmm, I've not thought this through have I?

(My reason for mentioning was that I've been musing getting a trackday car and trailer and figured a panel van would be perfect as a tow vehicle for that, as it would be big heavy and cheap with enough space for tyres/tools/spares. However the difference with car racing vs/ horsey racing is ofcourse tarmac vs. muddy fields.)

[Matt106]

4x4 is the best option and the LWB looks to have a good amount of space. I'll look forward to the snow

[lost in espace]

Is it me or is the 85% towing rule a go idea to stick to? Somebody here mentioned 2 horses plus the trailer are circa 3t. Which would mean that you would require a 4x4 heavier than this to tow safely.

[pikeyboy]

another vote for a trooper here. I have a trooper 3.1 commercial for lugging the dog around in. Had another a few years back for towing the race car, brilliant trucks. Four tracks are also very good for what you need it for and within your budget.

[TomM]

Have a look at the 2.5 Legacy AWD estate, they go for peanuts these days.

[ridds]

Someone mention Troopers?



Been running them for 5 years now, they're great. 27 mpg, quick for it's size, can pull lots (had 2 17hh horses at one point) spares are plentiful and they are cheap. I paid £975 for this one 3 years ago.

[ridds]

Wessex actually. Great trailers, much better than the likes of Ifor Williams, front loading ramp opens on the correct side for the UK for example.