Hi,

Due to a new job, we are going to need to become a 2 car household again. Currently we have a mk1 focus which i will be driving to work. We are looking at getting a 4x4 or something powerful enough to pull a horse trailer with 2 horses in it, which will also be viable for getting the missus to work about 10 miles away. Our budget it 3k and a friend of ours is selling a Freelander for this kind of money.

Is this a good choice, or are there any other options we could look at?

Thanks

Mark

 

Is it 3dr or 5dr, diesel or petrol?

For 3k I'll assume it's a MkI. These had a lot of problems - mums first 4x4 was a freelander, after 13 months of ownership she was told by her boss to get rid of it and get a something else. It caught fire twice and broke down more. It was replaced with a Landcruiser.

If you're towing two horses, you'll want something bigger than a freelander, ideally.

I'd look at Landcruisers, Shoguns / Pajeros (the import version) and Discoverys for that money. Possibly a HiLux Surf if you can get a 3.0D - don't be tempted by the petrol or the 2.4.

For safe towing, weight and power are key.

 

Thanks for the reply. It's the 3dr TD4 diesel on a 52 plate.

 

Without looking at the spec I go with Keith - it's probably not big enough. You need a long wheel base to tow 2 (unless they're Shetlands ).

I had a SWB Trooper so would def go for a bigger one - loved it. Not sure about the 3k though. For that sort of money you might need to look at estates as well.

 

For towing get a proper ladder-chassis'ed 4x4 - I'm not saying the freelander isn't as I don't know, but that is my advice.

I can't recommend a Landcruiser enough - proper 4x4 and reliable as hell. I love mine.

 

I would be wary of Pajeros, prone to diesel pump failures according to a chap I know that services them.

Landcruisers seem bullet proof though as well as the Toyota Surf.

 

Looks like a Landcruiser then, any problems with them that i should be aware of? I guess not, as they are toyotas.

 

Have a freelander no probs here needs a bit of care though.

 

^^this^^

Freeloader is monocoque, it won't be legal for a trailer and 2 horses.

With two average horses in, a horse trailer is going to weigh upwards of 2 tonnes so 'normal' cars aren't going to be legal (or safe) to tow with.
You're advised to have the weight of the trailer and horses below 75% of the vehicles weight, which also rules out a 'soft roader', you'll need a big 4x4 really.
The plate under the bonnet will have the maximum gross and train weights, you need to work out from that what the vehicle will pull. VOSA are getting pretty strict on weights and if you pull with an overloaded car there's every chance you'll get stopped at some point.

For £3k you're looking at old Landcruiser/Disco/Pajero I would have thought.

Plus, if you got your licence after 1998 you'll have to pass an additional test to get categories B+E on your licence (see here).

 

Thanks mark, we will definitely look at one of the bigger beasts then

And no problems with the licence, ive got the old person's pass