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? I am so confused!

Hello E-mom... If the Rover is rated to tow 7700#, then your best accessory would be a weight distributing hitch. A WD hitch properly installed and set up will transfer some of the trailer weight to the front wheels of the Rover. The extra weight on the front will increase the traction and control of the Rover.

Mr. Truck has a good write up on a WD hitch and its function.
Click here >>http://www.mrtruck.net/wdh.htm

Thank you, Hosspuller. I think a wdh is ideal but my husband says the Land Rover owner's manual says to not use a weight distributing hitch with my car. I think it has something to do with the air suspension? Do you think the short wheelbase is a reason to be concerned? I would not hesitate to pull a boat or camper with my car but live 1000+ lbs animals has me concerned!

quote:

Originally posted by equestrianmom:
Thank you, Hosspuller. I think a wdh is ideal but my husband says the Land Rover owner's manual says to not use a weight distributing hitch with my car. I think it has something to do with the air suspension? Do you think the short wheelbase is a reason to be concerned? I would not hesitate to pull a boat or camper with my car but live 1000+ lbs animals has me concerned!

Quite possibly the air suspension system is the reason for the warning. Likely because the air system can alter the ride height of the vehicle. If the ride height is changed, the WD hitch settings would then be thrown off too. Perhaps if you set the air system to hold a set height a WD hitch could be used.
This begs more research.