Mitsubishi pickup towing a horsebox trailer at an equestrian event

Towbars for Horse Trailers Supplied and Fitted

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Find Your Towbar

  • Choose Towbars for Horse Trailers at Towbars.co.uk

    When transporting live animals, ensuring your vehicle is equipped with the correct towbar for a horse trailer is absolutely essential. A horse trailer is a mobile stable that attaches directly to your vehicle's towbar, and towing one introduces unique physical challenges compared to pulling a standard utility load. Horses are heavy, shifting live weights; if a horse moves suddenly during transit, it transfers immense dynamic energy through the hitch and directly into your car's chassis.

    For this reason, equestrian and small livestock trailers demand heavy-duty towing equipment with a high structural D-Value and a substantial noseweight capacity. You must also ensure that your towing vehicle - usually a 4x4, pick-up, or large SUV - has a maximum towing limit sufficient to handle both the weight of the trailer itself and the horses inside, as payload weights can add up incredibly quickly. Whether you are heading to a local show, moving yards, or travelling cross-country, investing in a robust, perfectly matched towbar ensures maximum stability and a smooth, stress-free ride for your animals.

    Beyond the sheer payload, the unpredictable nature of livestock means your vehicle's rear suspension is under constant, fluctuating strain. As a horse shifts its weight backwards or forwards, the noseweight pressing down on your towball changes instantly. A precision-engineered towbar acts as the critical structural anchor, allowing your vehicle's active safety systems, such as your Trailer Stability Program (TSP), to effectively detect and counteract any dangerous swaying before it escalates. Choosing an incorrectly specified towbar compromises this vital connection, significantly increasing the risk of snaking when navigating uneven rural roads, muddy farm tracks, or exposed motorways.

    Ultimately, the safety of your horses relies entirely on the integrity of your towing setup. This is why every heavy-duty towbar we supply is rigorously tested and fully European Type Approved, ensuring it meets the strictest legal and structural standards for your exact make and model of vehicle. When paired with a dedicated vehicle-specific wiring kit, your horse trailer seamlessly integrates with your car's onboard diagnostics, powering essential reversing lights and internal trailer illumination without triggering dashboard errors. By having your equipment professionally installed, you guarantee a secure, legally compliant connection, leaving you free to focus entirely on the journey ahead.

    Silver Range Rover car towing a livestock trailer on a rural road

    Ensure a safe, smooth journey for your horses with a heavy-duty, type-approved towing setup.

  • Heavy-Duty Towing for Equestrian Transport

    Gray pickup truck towing a horse trailer on a road with greenery in the background

    A safe towing setup ensures the comfort and safety of you and your horses

    Towbars.co.uk will supply and professionally fit your ideal equestrian towing solution. Our extensive range features premium, heavy-duty towing brackets from trusted, type-approved manufacturers, including Tow Trust, GDW Towbars, and PCT Automotive.

    Depending on your towing vehicle, you can choose from robust flanged towbars—which are perfect for fitting heavy-duty bumper protection plates and height-adjustable drop plates—or fixed swan-neck towbars that offer a cleaner look while maintaining exceptional towing strength.

    Opt for our dedicated mobile towbar fitting service for total peace of mind. Your towbar will be installed by our expert team right on your driveway or at the stables. We handle all complex vehicle recoding where applicable, alongside the heavy-duty electrics required for modern trailers. Fully tested, fully guaranteed, and ready for the road.

    A towbar being installed on an Isuzu pickup by a towbars.co.uk mobile towbar fitter

    Professional Mobile Fitting at Your Home or Stables

    Your Caravanning Towbar Questions Answered

    Do I need a special driving licence to tow a horse trailer?


    Since December 2021, the towing rules in the UK have changed. Drivers who passed their standard car driving test (Category B) after 1st January 1997 are now allowed to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg without taking an additional trailer test. This legally covers the vast majority of 4x4s towing a double horse trailer. However, you must still ensure your specific vehicle is officially rated by the manufacturer to pull the combined weight of the trailer and your horses.

    What electrics do I need for an equestrian or livestock trailer?

    Modern horseboxes and livestock trailers generally require a 13-pin electrical system. This fully wired setup not only operates the essential road lights safely, but it also powers critical supplementary features like reversing lights—which are incredibly helpful when manoeuvring a large trailer in a dark yard or a muddy field. It also provides a permanent power feed for the trailer's internal lighting, keeping your horses calm during evening transport.

    Flange or Swan Neck: Which is better for a horse trailer?

    Both designs are exceptionally strong and fully type-approved, but a flange towbar is traditionally the most popular choice in the equestrian and agricultural world. The flat, two-bolt faceplate allows you to easily bolt on additional accessories behind the towball. Some rugged 4x4 towbars are designed with multiple towball heights, allowing for perfect matching to a twin-axle livestock trailer or horsebox hitch height.