Hauling with a BMW X3

[cnvh]

[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;7472056]
Sounds corny - but buy a used pickup and sell it when you’re done? Buy for $8k, sell for $7500, or keep it.

Or do the same thing at half of the budget. An old F-250 4wd will highway pull a one- or two-horse trailer like a champ and cost just a few grand, and sell for what you paid. If you buy it now (spring) you’ll get better pricing and if you sell it before the coming winter you might even turn a profit. I mention 4wd because those are always in demand, and with a 2wd you might have a longer wait to find a buyer.[/QUOTE]

This this this.

There are a bazillion deals to be had on Craigslist, especially if you’re more concerned with “safe and reliable” than “new and pretty.”

I picked up my Chevy 2500 on Craigslist two years ago for $2600 and hauled with it all last summer and fall. The only money I’ve had to sink into it was about $600, to fix a leaky exhaust manifold and put in a new distributor. Big deal-- I’ll take that over a monthly truck payment anyday. The more important part is that I don’t have to worry about being under-trucked to pull any 2H trailer out there.

Something like this: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4322811304.html

[CrowneDragon]

I’m glad you’re going to get something appropriate to haul with. Aside from whether or not the BMW has the towing and stopping ability to safely tow, it does not have sufficient wheelbase length, regardless of what kind of trailer you are hauling. You would be at a real danger of flipping the whole rig if it began to fishtail a bit or you had to stop hard. This isn’t one of the “Uh, no not a good set-up” kind of responses. This is “OH HELLLLLL NO” I wouldn’t tow with that unless my barn was literally on fire.

[IvyHall]

As I’ve said several times already, I will not be hauling with the X3. Thank you for all the input and advice.

Additionally I’m not sure I’ve correctly explained my situation. My horse has lymphoma. He spent almost all of february at the hospital and will now undergo 9 months of chemo, where he will have to go to the hospital 20 times. I am just a “regular person” and paying for the month in the hospital and the future 9 months of chemo has left me with little funds. If I could go out and buy a brand new truck and trailer tomorrow I would, but I can’t, so frankly I don’t think it was unreasonable for me to ask the question as to whether I could get away with hauling with an X3. I want to save my horse’s life. Thankfully, a family member has offered a truck and trailer and I will be taking them up on their offer (they haven’t used the trailer in over a year so they are getting it inspected and making sure it is safe before I can pick it up, probably next week).

As for hunting down a decent used truck and trailer on the cheap, its a great idea, but again, not only are my funds limited but I am out of time. He went to the hospital today for his first chemo treatment and is expected to come home tomorrow (my trainer took him). He has two more chemo treatments this month alone.

So I apologize, I think I should have phrased my question differently or explained my back story better. I knew from the get go that an X3 was not ideal, but if it was my only option to save my horse I wasn’t going to rule it out until I had all the facts.

Thank you again for helping me to make a more informed decision.

And to hopefully give you all a smile here is the big guy and my little girl:

http://s162.photobucket.com/user/Moonshdws0028/library/Mobile%20Uploads

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=IvyHall;7472575]

And to hopefully give you all a smile here is the big guy and my little girl:

http://s162.photobucket.com/user/Moonshdws0028/library/Mobile%20Uploads[/QUOTE]
Oh my goodness, how cute are they?!
Best wishes for your boy.

[rmax]

Trailering aside, hope your big boy responds well.

[GA_Horse]

Best wishes for a healthy recovery.

[Jim_in_PA]

The advise about stopping refers to being able to stop the loaded trailer with the tow vehicle if the brake controller or trailer brakes fail…the “rainy day” situation, if you will. With live loads, there are other factors that generally are considered around the advise to have a buffer between rated and actual load. For the record, I tow with a capable SUV but am over 2200 lbs (more than a ton) below my rated limit with both horses loaded. I’ve tested stopping loaded with the brakes disconnected (in a parking lot for safety) to insure I was comfortable with my rig…and I am.

---

OP, I hope your furry friend does well with the treatment and feels better soon!

[IvyHall]

Thanks for the well wishes! He is home from his first chemo treatment and is showing no ill effects from the drugs. yay! My trainer is trailering him again next week and I should have the borrowed truck and trailer in time for his next appointment!

thanks again!

[JohnDeere]

[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;7472056]
Sounds corny - but buy a used pickup and sell it when you’re done? Buy for $8k, sell for $7500, or keep it.

Or do the same thing at half of the budget. An old F-250 4wd will highway pull a one- or two-horse trailer like a champ and cost just a few grand, and sell for what you paid. If you buy it now (spring) you’ll get better pricing and if you sell it before the coming winter you might even turn a profit. I mention 4wd because those are always in demand, and with a 2wd you might have a longer wait to find a buyer.[/QUOTE]

Yes this is what Im doing now, insurance is not much, maybe 150/yr. Its nice to have a work truck that you can haul with you might use it more than anything else! Just get one thats reliable–we are still putting parts on!

Hope your boy gets better quick & your borrowed rig is fine.