LR3 towing horse trailer?

[equestrianmom]

I am buying my first horse trailer, a 2H BP around 3500# empty. I have a 2005 Land Rover LR3 V-8 rated to tow 7700#. However I am nervous that the moving nature of horses and the short wheelbase of my vehicle are not a good match. With 3 children and friends who frequently join us on car trips, I must have a 7 passenger SUV. I've looked into other options such as the Expedition EL since it has a towing capacity of 8680# and around 18 inches longer wheelbase. Would a heavy duty towing package add to the safety and/or functionality of the car? I've considered a 3/4 ton GMC Yukon XL. Would this be the best choice? It seems it would be even more of a gas guzzler. Or would my car be just fine?
Anyone have experience towing a horse trailer with their LR3?

 

[Bily Lovec]

my first thought is the hitch itself having such a low tongue weight capacity.

 

[equestrianmom]

Thank you for your thoughts, Bily Lovec. I had no idea I should be looking at tongue capacity! I've compared torque, wheelbase, towing capacity and 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton but not tongue capacity. What exactly do I look at in this regard? Does that have to do with the Class of the hitch?

 

[Bluebird]

One word, Suburban. How much does each horse weigh? Do you put the tack in the trailer? Tongue weight is generally 10 to 15% of the trailer weight loaded.

 

[Bily Lovec]

here is a picture of the LR3 hitch.



tongue weight is 770lbs, you dont want that dude squirting out of the socket...

in a past life, my x-wife was a semi-pro barrel racer, and as much as i love the LR3, i wouldnt recommend one for hauling much weight more than occasionally..

find you a used diesel excursion, now that puppy will haul

 

[richpike]

I'm pretty surprised by all the responses here. We used to own a V8 Touareg, and all I ever heard about on the Touareg forums was how great those towed, not to mention the V10 TDIs (500+ ft.lbs. of torque!!). People were towing travel trailers, enclosed car trailers, etc. They were spec'd at 7700lbs towing capacity with a 616lb tongue weigth and their wheel base was almost identical.

What is significantly different between these two vehicles that would make the Touareg so much better at towing?

-Rich

 

[Bily Lovec]

no one said they wouldnt tow, just that they're better choices out there.

about the only thing Id tow with a 616lb tongue rating is a bike rack ;-)

 

[Bluebird]

Well now I do tow my fishing boat that weighs 3500# just fine, actually one of the best tow vehicles I ever owned. But when you are getting near the edge of the vehicles tow range then you load it up with people and STUFF. Then you should consider the next size up. Like a GMC Suburban for instance one of the most highly respected tow vehicles on the planet.