Would you laugh if I pulled up in one of those new Dodge calibers? I was looking at them the other day. I drive about 120 miles a day when I am not shoeing. (I work at a vet clinic and am going to vet school, both a ways away). Right now I drive an OLD Ford Ranger with a topper (did I mention it is old?) that might die any day. The new Caliber gets 30 miles to the gallon with a huge rear trunk area that would hold everything I need for trimming and then some. Since I am usually just trimming, this seems logical. (But I have learned not to trust my own logic, thanks guys). It also supposedly will haul 2000 lbs... enough for a small trailer with shoeing supplies. It's pretty affordable, too. What do you think? Anybody do this, or have any pro's/con's?

I would'nt try to shoe out of one but if it can tow a rig thats cool.
Triming out of one sounds good, I trim off my Harley.
Bill

I have a friend who runs a A/C business out of one. He loves it. I've thought about it myself. Sure looks roomy in the back of them.

Its a 5 cylinder turbo diesel and he said it gets great gas mileage and has lots of power.....

Dodge "imports" them but they are actually made by Mercedes-Benz.

I wouldn't laugh........

Troy

If you're just trimming might not be bad, but I think for shoeing, I would want something different - easier access to my shoes, tools, forge etc. Right now for me, I work out of a Volkswagen transporter. Does great for me.

Mikel

The little caliber is a neat looking little ride. I think it would work great but not as a shoeing rig. I would definately pull a small 4 X 4 trailer that can be found new or used pretty inexpensively. You don't want to have to ride around in your car smelling like horse feet all the time. Although that might would be a great selling New Car Smell Scent if you could bottle it.......LOL

It will be great running around town in and back and forth to school so I would definately say go for it but do pull a trailer for all of your shoeing needs. A small trailer could easily and cheaply be set up for your shoeing equipment: anvil, stand, cradle, rack for shoes, forge etc.

Good Luck!

Keeping your apron in the car will stink it up well.

You know, I think it would be pretty easy to fabricate a small slideout for the back of one of those that you could mount everything to. Then you could set it up so that you can remove the whole slide out so you can use it as a car. As for hauling all that stuff in a trailer? I dunno about the 4 cylinder, but that 5cyl diesel probably has enough nuts for a small trailer. HeII I'd buy one of those guys. If you do decide to pull a trailer, get some air bags installed over the rear wheels if at all possible. It will help with load handling.

One thing, if you do put your stuff IN the car, it will STINK forever, forget about ever trading it in.

Those cars are cool looking.

Thanks guys! Any ideas on where to find a small, lightweight trailer I could use with this car? P.S. We don't have the 5 cylinder diesel here in the US.

Check at your local motorcycle shop, or even a U-haul dealer.

I don't think anyone would laugh. One of the better farriers in my neck of the woods shoes out of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.....you should see the looks she gets at the fancy barns. Once they see her work though, no one cares what she drives!

Amy