towing horse float with 2 Cows and full load

[ensign p]

Hi Ladies and Gents
Would first like to thank all who helped out with my last question you were all correct was Neutral Position Switch causing my Navara to surge in 4th saved me a good lump of money.
Got a quick question have been asked by my brother if he can BORROW my 06 D22 STR 3.0ltr TD manual, too tow a horse float with 2 cows / bulls and full laden vehicle to Tamworth and back for my nephews school Agricultural group. Not sure re the weight of the float, cows / bulls or any other specifics (yep details would help). Car is stock other than exhaust upgrade, no electric break control for towing and unsure about weight float, of Moo's in back but do know will also be full load of people and equipment on top. Just wondering if anybody had any experience in this area?? Have been advised NO by freind who tows horses in float and still need to speak to mechanic and insurance. Just worried re pressure on vehicle, trans and breaks (as brother used to Auto and no take care of others property - but that my concern) sort of need nuts and bolts advice as is long trip with moving load etc. Any comments be appreciated. Thanks ensign

 

[Old.Tony]

Immediately the answer will be no, without doing any calcs. You'll exceed 2T and won't be legal (because of the brakes).

Let's do the math. A trailer capable of carrying two bulls (which according to several sites I just found weigh between 800Kg and 1000Kg)..... well, that does it right there. You can't even put the wheels underneath them, let alone the brakes - or the trailer they're supposed to be on. A trailer of that calibre is going to weigh 400-500Kg or more on its own, so two cows (say 500Kg each) would be okay, as would a pair of horses (400Kg or so each, unless they're draft horses - 700-800Kg each).

The trailer (if you're not hauling bulls or draft horses) would have to have inertia brakes at the very least and my experience with those say that the animals will loathe being jerked around as the brakes thump into action.

The next problem would be how the vehicle is driven. If he's careless like you say, I'd wonder how the animals will cope going around 35km/h bend at 60km/h. You also have to wonder how hard the vehicle will be driven up the hills out of Murrurundi which are very steep and if I was driving I'd be in first gear up there and to hell with anyone who needs to get past (it's two lanes anyway, right up to Nowlands Gap and the rest areas).

That kind of strain should be tolerated physically by the vehicle. You'd have to check that your tow hitch was rated enough (I can't imagine why it wouldn't be but check) - the D40 3T hitch needs to have 5 bolts per chassis rail and the D22 hitch can't be too different to pull close to the same weight. With a decent trailer and two bulls you'd be tipping 2500Kg behind you. The D22's GCM is 5720Kg (max trailer mass 2800Kg, GVM 2920Kg) so as long as your car doesn't have a tonne in it (kerb mass is 1895Kg) it'll be physically within the legal limits (except for the brakes issue).

 

[tweak'e]

unless they are a miniature breed your not going to be able to tow two.
one thing is sheer weight. the other is size, two bulls will not fit.
tell him to organize a stock truck.

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