Trailer or Horsebox?

[Poppet25]

We're seriously considering getting some transport for our horse so we can take her out and about but will have to save up a bit before we go ahead so in the meantime I need to do a bit of research. I've never had to think about my own transport before as in the past I've always had transport available from my employers but the horse is my hobby now and a total different kettle of fish and transport isn't readily available. I'm on my own now and I'm flummoxed :o

First of all the pros and cons of a horsebox v a trailer?

I've had experience with both but have never driven either. I had a horrendous experience with a trailer once when my boy fell over so I've been a bit dubious about trailers ever since :( I'm not dismissing a trailer but that awful experience has put me off a bit.

I think pricewise overall there probably wouldn't be that much difference (I'm not looking at the high end horseboxes, I'd be saving up forever for one of those :D) once you take into consideration the costs of a vehicle and trailer versus a box though I could be wrong, feel free to correct me on that one if I am, this is all new to me.

The towing test I really need to find out about, what's involved and how do I find out information about doing it/lessons/fees etc etc I'm in the NW/Lancashire area and would really appreciate info about that.

With a box I was under the impression anything under 7.5 ton can be driven on a normal licence. Recently I asked one of my bosses if he would consider hiring out his box (both my bosses have horsey OHs and both have boxes) but he said that you need to take a test to drive a 7.5 box, news to me :eek: I suspect he was fobbing me off tbh as he is a bit odd but I'd be interested to know if that's true.

Re a trailer, I'm looking at a Mitsubishi Shogun LWB with an Ifor Williams trailer, is that a good combination? Can anyone suggest other alternative towing vehicles and trailers? I've looked at the VOSA site and understand the weights issue so I'm part way there, I just need a bit of advice.

Thanks in advance for any help :)

[Poppet25]

As an after thought our local Ifor Williams dealer offers long term loan, I've not enquired about this as I've only just found out about it but does that sound like a viable option against buying a trailer, obviously depending on price I know but I presume the terms would be similar to hiring any equipment, if there's a problem you would be provided with a replacement?

[wibble]

I believe that if you have to take the trailer test you also have to take a test to drive a lorry over 3.5tonnes, its only those that passed before 1st Jan 1997 that don't need to bother. As with all things there are pros and cons to both. I have a company car so the thought of having to shell out for another car just to pull a trailer didn't appeal but OH has just bought a rangerover so we could always pull a trailer.

I have a lorry which feels safer to me (once witnessed a horsetrailer crash on the m3 so paranoid about trailers on motorways now). It also means I pay tax, insurance on one vehicle rather than trailer insurance and car insurance.

I was always told that trailers get stolen more often but I have no idea if that is true!!

Parking is abother thing, you need to have the space to park a lorry whereas a trailer could be parked on your drive.

My lorry doesn't lock so I cannot leave my tack at shows whereas you could lock your tack in your 4x4, My lorry does have an awning though which can be used as a temporary stable if necessary which is a bonus.

Does your horse load into both? I have a lorry and my horse prefers a trailer!!!

Good Luck, transport is fun!!

[Poppet25]

I believe that if you have to take the trailer test you also have to take a test to drive a lorry over 3.5tonnes, its only those that passed before 1st Jan 1997 that don't need to bother. As with all things there are pros and cons to both. I have a company car so the thought of having to shell out for another car just to pull a trailer didn't appeal but OH has just bought a rangerover so we could always pull a trailer.

I have a lorry which feels safer to me (once witnessed a horsetrailer crash on the m3 so paranoid about trailers on motorways now). It also means I pay tax, insurance on one vehicle rather than trailer insurance and car insurance.

I was always told that trailers get stolen more often but I have no idea if that is true!!

Parking is abother thing, you need to have the space to park a lorry whereas a trailer could be parked on your drive.

My lorry doesn't lock so I cannot leave my tack at shows whereas you could lock your tack in your 4x4, My lorry does have an awning though which can be used as a temporary stable if necessary which is a bonus.

Does your horse load into both? I have a lorry and my horse prefers a trailer!!!

Good Luck, transport is fun!!

Thank you for the reply wibble, one thing you've highlighted I was totally unaware of, needing separate insurance for a trailer and vehicle, I didn't know that so thanks for the pointer, I will look into that.

Regarding the safety issue I'm leaning towards a box due to my boy falling in the trailer which tbh was horrifying (I was following in my car and saw him go down, I've never braked so fast and out of the car so fast in my life :( luckily he was unharmed but it's stuck with me ever since :() Like I said I wouldn't dismiss a trailer if that was the more practical/cheapest option as long as the horse was happy

To be perfectly honest I don't know how she loads, I've never had reason to load her before now but knowing what she's like, very laid back, I don't think either would be a problem. I do know that she has travelled but I've never asked how as the issue hasn't arisen.

Storing a box or a trailer/vehicle wouldn't be a problem, we've discussed that and we have places to put either.

Thanks for the info about the test and the box weight issue too, I'm thinking I need to look into this a bit more.

[WJD]

I am looking at a 3.5T Ford Transit conversion.

I have a car which I need for work (although the way things are going that may not be an issue for much longer!) and I have no urge to change that for a 4x4. For the number of times I would travel it would not justify the extra expense.

Also, the thought of reversing a trailer with a horse in it frightens me (I passed before 1997- so don't need to sit either a towing or lorry test, although I think I ought!). I just feel it would be easier to drive a large van than have a loose whippy thing tied to the back of another vehicle.

I have seen my horse load in a lorry no problem, just need to see if she will load in this one.

Good luck :)

[carrimclaren]

No thoughts on which ones better but a bit of info about the trailer test as i did mine last year. To be honest, if it was me i'd lean towards a box if you can get a nice compact one in good condition.
As Wibble's already said if you passed after 1997 you do need to do a separate test for driving a trailer or anything over 3.5tonnes. The lessons i had were about £30 per hour for trailer lessons, the test was £105. If you do want to explore trailer lessons then the cheapest way is to maybe find a friend with a 4 x 4 and trailer who will take you out. I'm lucky that a lot of my network of friends are builders/gardeners/horsey people so i asked one and he gave me lessons. Saved a fortune. Trailer test lasts about 1 1/2hr. You need to be able to do at least 45 mins of driving on the road (basically another driving test) plus being able to emergency stop, uncouple and recouple the trailer and reverse your trailer into a parking bay.
For LGV license it's £105 for the test and roughly £50 per hour for lessons. Think basically that the test is the same standard as above.

[wonkeywoody]

How many miles a week do you do in your car? If it is fairly high then equate the 'new' weekly fuel costs of a 4x4.

Check insurance quotes for 4x4 and horsebox lorry. You may get a fright as to the cost of insurance on the 4x4!

[Poppet25]

Thank you again for your contributions, ok so I'm guessing when you're referring to passing before 1997 you are meaning the normal driving test, yes?

[Poppet25]

How many miles a week do you do in your car? If it is fairly high then equate the 'new' weekly fuel costs of a 4x4.

Check insurance quotes for 4x4 and horsebox lorry. You may get a fright as to the cost of insurance on the 4x4!

I drive for a living and probably do about 1000 miles a week on average, insurance is obviously something to be taken into account, one thing I've learnt from this thread I didn't know is that insurance for the vehicle and trailer is separate. Things I need to take into account obviously. Thank you for your contribution it is very much appreciated :)

Whatever I end up with will not be used on a daily basis, it will be purely for the horse even if it's a 4x4. My work vehicle is totally separate, it's a company car and therefore insurance/fuel usage doesn't enter into the equation. The company car is staying no matter what, it and the miles I do won't affect my choice of transport for the horse. I also use the company car as my first choice of transport hence why whatever I get will be used solely for the horse.

[Razzledazzle]

I have had both a trailer and a lorry and I personally would prefer the lorry over trailer any day. I think you just need to decide if you will get enough use out of a lorry to justify keeping it on the road...tax, insurance plating etc.. I decided that I didn't use mine enough to warrant the upkeep and sold it, now have a trailer..which is OK but I just think one larger vehicle is easier and safer than two.

[wonkeywoody]

...insurance is obviously something to be taken into account, one thing I've learnt from this thread I didn't know is that insurance for the vehicle and trailer is separate.

You may well find the insurance for a lorry will be less than 4x4 + trailer. (you can get a reduction by specifying limited mileage on a lorry too) (Yes trailer covered by car insurance when being towed but not when its parked up on its own)...tho you may be able to add it to nag insurance - check with your company for costs.

I think you will find tax on lorry cheaper. MOT/plating are pretty much even stevens, as is MPG (lorry v's 4x4)

Thank you for your contribution it is very much appreciated

Your welcome.

[Iron Maiden]

One of my friends did a very well researched comparison of the running costs of a box & a 4x4/trailer and worked out that box was considerably cheaper. She's had a box for years that she paid very little for, it has been reliable and cheap to maintain. She runs about in a small car (Micra) & is quids in. So I did what she did, my first lorry was an unreliable behemoth that stressed the hell out of me to drive, that got scrapped a few months ago. The one I have now is nice to drive but has cost a small fortune in repairs & maintenance since I've had it. Mind you, a 4x4 can cost a lot to keep on the road, so there's no saying I'd be any better off with one of those & a trailer. What I do like about the lorry is that it's compact, solid and easy to drive, and I wouldn't swap it for a 4x4/trailer combo.

Whatever you do, just make sure you have a contingency fund because unless you can afford something pretty new, you might need to find some cash at unexpected times to keep your horse's limo on the road :o

[Poppet25]

From the replies so far I'm assuming a box is the way to go.

Can anyone confirm the point any sort of test (trailer or lorry) isn't necessary if I passed my driving test before 1997 or have I misunderstood that point?

[Kate&TheHerd]

If you passed before 1997 you dont need the trailer test, you are already legal to tow :D

[Poppet25]

If you passed before 1997 you dont need the trailer test, you are already legal to tow :D

Thank you, I passed my test in 1983 so I'm probably safe :D

[montys helper]

me personaly if i could afford it would buy a horsebox but that would also mean havin to tax another vehical so id go for the trailor, as long as u drive carfully then all is ok.:D

[Iron Maiden]

me personaly if i could afford it would buy a horsebox but that would also mean havin to tax another vehical so id go for the trailor, as long as u drive carfully then all is ok.:D

If you drive 1000 miles a week, the fuel cost for a 4x4 compared to a small car will be huge. Besides, the tax for a 4x4 can be around £400/yr, for my 7.5 tonne lorry it's £165/yr so you could have a small car and a lorry for less than what it wouyld cost to tax a 4x4. And are you saying that if you drive carefully you don't need insurance? What about if someone uninsured causes an accident, if you have brain failure (maybe you are immune to this) or you fall victim to a hit & run? What you have said makes no sense to me.

[Poppet25]

I'm going to have to tax and insure a vehicle whatever I get unfortunately :(

I couldn't use my company car even if I wanted to, it's a Vauxhall Astra estate and would struggle pulling you out of bed let alone a trailer :D

[montys helper]

If you drive 1000 miles a week, the fuel cost for a 4x4 compared to a small car will be huge. Besides, the tax for a 4x4 can be around £400/yr, for my 7.5 tonne lorry it's £165/yr so you could have a small car and a lorry for less than what it wouyld cost to tax a 4x4. And are you saying that if you drive carefully you don't need insurance? What about if someone uninsured causes an accident, if you have brain failure (maybe you are immune to this) or you fall victim to a hit & run? What you have said makes no sense to me.
wow chill out, when i said if u drive carefully i meant u yourself will be ok, i said nothing about not having insurance! i drive a landriver full stop so a trailor would make more sence to me. and my tax is no where near $400 a year infact its the normal amount! so it make perfect sence to me. plus if you read what i wrote instead of jumping in with 2 left feet i said what would be right for me not for anyone else

[Iron Maiden]

Sorry MH, I was forgetting that anyone who disagrees with you, however reasonably, is uptight. My mistake.

[cwb]

I went through all this a little while ago and the horsebox won hands down on safety and cost plus the fact that you can travel the horse loose with more room in the horsebox.

I have a very nice, compact 6.5 ton Mercedes lorry which does around 23 mpg costs £165 on tax, £160 on insurance (5000 miles) and £51 for its MOT each year.

[Poppet25]

If you drive 1000 miles a week, the fuel cost for a 4x4 compared to a small car will be huge. Besides, the tax for a 4x4 can be around £400/yr, for my 7.5 tonne lorry it's £165/yr so you could have a small car and a lorry for less than what it wouyld cost to tax a 4x4. And are you saying that if you drive carefully you don't need insurance? What about if someone uninsured causes an accident, if you have brain failure (maybe you are immune to this) or you fall victim to a hit & run? What you have said makes no sense to me.

Thanks Iron Maiden, the cost of fuel regarding my driving 1000 miles a week on average doesn't really come into it tbh as the car I drive is specific to my job (I'm a taxi driver and I couldn't use a 4x4 for that or a horsebox either, though the thought is quite amusing :D it would certainly invite some interesting comments from my customers) so any vehicle I get to transport the horse will have to be an additional vehicle to my company car not instead of if you see what I mean. I'm very much leaning towards a box now especially after yours and cwbs comments regarding tax/insurance etc.

To be fair to MH I interpreted the driving carefully comment as a reference to me saying I'd had an horrendous experience with my old boy in a trailer, him falling over scared the hell out of me and has put me off trailers a bit (I have to point out the person driving and towing the trailer at the time was an exceptionally careful driver and had years of experience towing, I in no way blame him for what happened, it was just a freak accident and thankfully the horse wasn't injured neither was the other horse travelling with him)

Thanks also to cwb for your input much appreciated :)

I think from the input I've received you've all helped persuade me a box is the way to go, along with my initial reservations about trailers, so many thanks to you all.

Now the hard bit, saving up for one :eek: :D

[montys helper]

Sorry MH, I was forgetting that anyone who disagrees with you, however reasonably, is uptight. My mistake.

grow up! u didnt read what i wrote properly!

[montys helper]

Thanks Iron Maiden, the cost of fuel regarding my driving 1000 miles a week on average doesn't really come into it tbh as the car I drive is specific to my job (I'm a taxi driver and I couldn't use a 4x4 for that or a horsebox either, though the thought is quite amusing :D it would certainly invite some interesting comments from my customers) so any vehicle I get to transport the horse will have to be an additional vehicle to my company car not instead of if you see what I mean. I'm very much leaning towards a box now especially after yours and cwbs comments regarding tax/insurance etc.

To be fair to MH I interpreted the driving carefully comment as a reference to me saying I'd had an horrendous experience with my old boy in a trailer, him falling over scared the hell out of me and has put me off trailers a bit (I have to point out the person driving and towing the trailer at the time was an exceptionally careful driver and had years of experience towing, I in no way blame him for what happened, it was just a freak accident and thankfully the horse wasn't injured neither was the other horse travelling with him)

Thanks also to cwb for your input much appreciated :)

I think from the input I've received you've all helped persuade me a box is the way to go, along with my initial reservations about trailers, so many thanks to you all.

Now the hard bit, saving up for one :eek: :D

sorry poppet i just read you first post again, i didnt read it porperly i guess as it was late, sorry it wasnt intented that way so sorry if it came across that way, i honestly didnt see that part of your post.and to be fare when i post i was refering to me to *** i would by.

[jaydevon]

If you drive 1000 miles a week, the fuel cost for a 4x4 compared to a small car will be huge. Besides, the tax for a 4x4 can be around £400/yr, for my 7.5 tonne lorry it's £165/yr so you could have a small car and a lorry for less than what it wouyld cost to tax a 4x4. And are you saying that if you drive carefully you don't need insurance? What about if someone uninsured causes an accident, if you have brain failure (maybe you are immune to this) or you fall victim to a hit & run? What you have said makes no sense to me.

1000 miles a week is a lot, and to be honest our landy is cheaper to tax and insure than a lot of cars.. well in actual fact our 4 x 4 costs EXACTLEY the same as a car would.

i think the brain comment, weather or not mh is a friend is below the belt, as is suggesting she drives unisured.

[Iron Maiden]

1000 miles a week is a lot, and to be honest our landy is cheaper to tax and insure than a lot of cars.. well in actual fact our 4 x 4 costs EXACTLEY the same as a car would.

i think the brain comment, weather or not mh is a friend is below the belt, as is suggesting she drives unisured.

I have not suggested that she drives uninsured. Maybe you shoud reread the post. As for the brain comment, perhaps I'm not the only one who needs to lighten up.

[tashford]

I would go for the lorry every time, as the whole time we had a trailer I never ever did manage to reverse the bloody thing !

[jaydevon]

here you go.. i think some confusion may be over the year of cars.. i can assure you all mh 4x4 isnt new.. LOL i keep thinking its a q reg!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524

[montys helper]

here you go.. i think some confusion may be over the year of cars.. i can assure you all mh 4x4 isnt new.. LOL i keep thinking its a q reg!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_10012524

oi its a b reg and it is new well apart from the chasis, its a rebuild.

[jaydevon]

oi its a b reg and it is new well apart from the chasis, its a rebuild.

mate its a c reg isnt it? hence me thinking its a q.. LOL...

[montys helper]

mate its a c reg isnt it? hence me thinking its a q.. LOL...

lol your right lol im huess im brain dead lol:D

[Poppet25]

sorry poppet i just read you first post again, i didnt read it porperly i guess as it was late, sorry it wasnt intented that way so sorry if it came across that way, i honestly didnt see that part of your post.and to be fare when i post i was refering to me to *** i would by.

Please dont feel like you have to apologise to me hun I took your post in the spirit it was intended.

[BabyBear]

I have just bough my first trailer - I upgraded my Micra for a Nissan Xtrail 2.2 DCI sport which has a towing capacity of 2000kg. My Ifor Williams 505 is 1096kg (or there abouts) my horse is around 550kg so I'm way below the maximum weight.

My 4 x4 can do about 40 mpg - certainly doesn't cost me a fortune and tax is £125 per year so I decided that was the best option for me.:)

[Iron Maiden]

I have just bough my first trailer - I upgraded my Micra for a Nissan Xtrail 2.2 DCI sport which has a towing capacity of 2000kg. My Ifor Williams 505 is 1096kg (or there abouts) my horse is around 550kg so I'm way below the maximum weight.

My 4 x4 can do about 40 mpg - certainly doesn't cost me a fortune and tax is £125 per year so I decided that was the best option for me.:)

Are you sure about that? I thought the towing vehicle had to be rated to tow the max gross weight of the trailer to be legal. For an IW 505 I'm sure max GW is well in excess of 2000kg, from memory when I was looking I'm sure it's nearer 2500kg. Blue Wicked's post here describes exactly your predicament. Seems there is a bit of confusion though.

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151490

[Daffy Dilly]

Buy a box.

Much less hassle, and I don't even do the towing! :rolleyes: