towing horse trailer with Mazda6 2.3?

marlot

Hintza wrote: »

Model... Gross Weight ...Unladen Weight
HB506 .....2600kg ...........920kg

This trailer definitely needs a B+E on the driver's licence. If the OP passed their test in 1997 or later they need to do the towing test - even if towing it empty, let alone with a horse

mikey72

marlot wrote: »

As you say, its the maximum weight of the car and trailer which must be below 3.5 tonnes.

BUT that's not the rule I was talking about. Post 1997 licence holders also have to ensure that the maximum plated weight of the trailer is lower than the UNLADEN weight of the car. Unladen weight of a Mazda 6 is probably around 1400Kg.

So we agree it's a no all round then?

marlot

mikey72 wrote: »

So we agree it's a no all round then?

We sure do!

Hintza

mikey72 wrote: »

So we agree it's a no all round then?

Apart from very very occasional use.

I might add that my sister towed with a CRV once (emergency) , one horse and the car as smoking when it got home it really was not very happy. We decided not to tell my mother (her CRV) :eek:

jkgray

pstuart wrote: »

You are right in saying that you are too close for comfort, one of their newer estates (heavier) would just about be OK.

Use a site called 'whattowcar' to get an idea of what this car will pull (choose a caravan with a similar weight to your box and horse, say Hobby 540)

Had the same electrics as you describe on a Mondeo last winter, fitted on the drive for £200 cash.

The previous car (Vectra) had dedicated wiring fitted and this resulted in a visit to Vauxhall (extra £60) to have its computer recognise it-don't know about Mazda.

Used the website to give the following result:

Mazda 6 II - 2.3 S-VT (122 kW/164 bhp)
Date of manufacture: july 2005 - january 2008. Towball limit: 75 kg (Advise: 75 kg)
Important for safe towing is the weight ratio between Car and Caravan. The weight ratio (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) for the Mazda and Hobby is 104%. This means that the caravan is too heavy for safe towing. The stability and safety index is very low for this outfit.

The towing performances of this Mazda with your Hobby are perfect (performance index = 65).
You may expect very lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads it's easy to come along, top gear is applicable under favourable circumstances.

On motorway inclines you will be able not only to come along, but be the first at the top. On steep roads you have sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there's most probably sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.



SO IN SIMPLE TERMS CAR IS POWERFUL ENOUGH JUST NOT HEAVY ENOUGH

jkgray

Thanks all.

Realised that B+E woudl be required on licence - I've got as this as pre-1997 test and already told partner would B+E test would be required.

[For info of anyone else who comes to this thread - if you only have B (not B+E on your licence) you can tow a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.

A horsebox's MAM - which in everyday language is the gross vehicle weight or the theoretical maximum weight loaded - is about 2000kg so realisitically no-one with just a B licence would ever be able to tow a horse box because if you have a vehicle with an unladen weight of 2000kg, the vehicle's MAM would be at least 2500kg and giving a combined MAM of 4500kg which is obviously well over the 3500kg limit of your licence.]

Also I knew that could only take 1 horse (we only have one) and that would not be able to go on mudy fields but was hoping that would get away with using current car for a year or so.

Will have to have a think whether can justify a 4x4 now.

rodenal

This is more a question for those with some knowledge on pulling a box than an answer really but would something like a subaru legacy (3.0) / a6 allroad (2.5tdi) be a good compromise for you if you prefer an estate type car?

jkgray

rodenal wrote: »

This is more a question for those with some knowledge on pulling a box than an answer really but would something like a subaru legacy (3.0) / a6 allroad (2.5tdi) be a good compromise for you if you prefer an estate type car?

I had looked at the large estate option but realised that in generally they are not as good at the job as a 4x4 and cost around the same to buy and run.

Eg. 2008 Subaru Legacy 3.0 has a max towing weight of 2000kg, and a kerb weight of 1560kg with a combined fuel consumption of 23 mpg. I was surprised at how poor this was.

A 2007 Audi Allroad 3.0 TDI is better with a max towing weight of 2100kg, and a kerb weight of 1880kg with a combined fuel consumption of 32.5 mpg.

For similar money could get:

2008 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDi with a max towing weight of 2200kg, and a kerb weight of 1590kg with a combined fuel consumption of 44.1 mpg.

2007 VW Tourareg 2.5 TD with a max towing weight of 3500kg, and a kerb weight of 2510kg with a combined fuel consumption of 26.6 mpg.