3.5t horsebox v 4x4 and trailer

jessjc

jessjc

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Chaddleworth, Berkshire (Wantage/Newbury)
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Hi All -

I'm sure this has been done to death..

I am looking to exchange my lovely 3.5t horsebox for a newish 4x4 and trailer to keep (maintenance) costs down. I was wondering if any of you have done this and whether it has saved you money? If so, how much roughly? What maintenance is there for a trailer and how much does this cost?

Also, what are the disadvantages of a trailer ie lack of storage space etc? And which trailer models do you find are best - some seem lighter and airier than others?

I love my little lorry, but general maintenance costs are rather pricey, even for a reliable lorry like mine (which is old but has low mileage and has been well looked after), especially considering I only go out every two or three weeks or so, and not for long distances. I'll just be using a trailer to go to lessons and local BS and BE events.

However, I will need a 4x4 which is cheapish to purchase, reasonable payload and relatively fuel efficient (as I will have to drive to work (35 mins each way) and to the stables every day). Might be a bit of a wish list, but would love some more info.

Thanks in advance!
 
Be interested in this, as I am thinking of buying a 3.5 tonne lorry as don't think I can justify running a 4 x 4 for every day use, plus I would have to do my trailer test as I can't drive a trailer on my licence! But then trailers seem to be cheaper then a lorry and you don't have extra mot or insurance on a trailer I can't decide!!
 
jessjc said:
and relatively fuel efficient (as I will have to drive to work (35 mins each way) and to the stables every day).
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Having owned several 4x4 big enough to tow a trailer I think you will end up spending far more on fuel than you will save on the lorry maintenance. 4x4 repair cost can also be slightly eye watering.
 
PaddyMonty said:
Having owned several 4x4 big enough to tow a trailer I think you will end up spending far more on fuel than you will save on the lorry maintenance. 4x4 repair cost can also be slightly eye watering.
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Agreed! You dont even want to know what my Shogun costs me to run around in but I love it for towing!
 
murphysmum123 said:
Be interested in this, as I am thinking of buying a 3.5 tonne lorry as don't think I can justify running a 4 x 4 for every day use, plus I would have to do my trailer test as I can't drive a trailer on my licence! But then trailers seem to be cheaper then a lorry and you don't have extra mot or insurance on a trailer I can't decide!!
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Ive just done this! Best thing ive ever done. The money i save will really come into play when we sell the 4X4 though. I didnt feel confident about taking my trailer test and the thought of towing made me shiver! I love my little lorry though and the freedom it gives me, Well my daughter as my own horse detests my little lorry ;)
 
jessjc said:
This is all interesting, thank you... does anyone have any figures on cost? Murphysmum123 totally feel your pain, I'd have to do the trailer test too...
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With a good instructor it really isnt that bad or that expensive.

All up mine was £350 and I had pretty much zero towing experience...
 
I just used a little 3.5 tonne lorry on Saturday cost me £100 for the day this is why I think owning one would be better lol, and I just think at the moment I just want to get in and drive for the summer rather than worry about having to take my trailer test and perhaps failing it! Plus the cost of taking the test would probably pay for my tax and insurance on the lorry x
 
If you only do a very small mileage non towing I can see why this might save you money OP but if you do a fair few miles getting to work etc I think if you have a really economic small car and the lorry it will cost about about the same.
 
Goldenstar said:
If you only do a very small mileage non towing I can see why this might save you money OP but if you do a fair few miles getting to work etc I think if you have a really economic small car and the lorry it will cost about about the same.
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This is the balance that I have been considering. Just hate spending so much on the lorry even when it is not used much! My MOT cost me £1700 (for new tyres and steering arm etc) last month and the diesel is so expensive for every outing with only one horse. With a trailer I could at least share the costs (potentially) by giving friends a lift as I can then take 2 horses... Would be great to have some numbers from people if possible.
 
We have 3.5 tonne lorry. I do a lot of road miles non towing so need the most economical car possible that is still safe and reasonably quick - so I have a Ford Fiesta Sportvan which is brilliant, uses hardly any fuel but can pile rugs, tack etc in the back. We also used to have a disco and equitrek trailer but it was a pain having to swap cars with my OH if I wanted to take the horse anywhere in the week etc. With the lorry I can just load up and go, plus it is so much more manoeuvrable at shows and in trainers' car parks. We only transport one horse so weight is not an issue and we actually have a tow bar on the back of the lorry so we can take a caravan when we go to weekend shows.
 
I paid c. £500 to take my B+E test after thinking endlessly whether to get a 3.5ton box or 4x4 and trailer. I have to admit I'm glad I went with the 4X4/trailer option. I have a decent fairly cheap to run Kia Sorento, nice to tow, fairly good on fuel (for a 4X4) and cheaper to replace parts etc than a Land Rover. I have just one set of tax and MOT to pay for, having the trailer incurs me £10 a month for the insurance and about £150 each year for a service. The 4X4/trailer option was also an easier decision for me as I have two largish horses and if I only take one of them out I normally want to take a friend (all who have big horses) a 3.5t lorry wasnt an option for me as I'd be over weight. I also only use my car to plod to the yard and back each day so I have very low yearly milege which I'm sure makes a huge difference in my fuel bill to someone who is driving say 40 miles a day.
 
jessjc said:
If I understand it correctly, I need to take B & E test as I passed my driving test in 2002 (five years too late!!). I would mainly be towing on hard ground, although will have to go on grass for the occasional event.
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You only need B+E if the total MAM of the combination is over 3500 kgs when towing a trailer over 750 kgs plated MAM on a B licence


You have probably been listening to someone who does not know the laws and has probably said that you cannot tow anything or the max is 750 kgs - a common error for those who do not read or understand what they are reading on the GOV sites
 
This vehicle could tick all the boxes ....

OCTAVIA ESTATE - 1.6 TDI CR SE 4x4 5dr (yes, a 4X4 for wet grass !!)
Gross vehicle weight 1998 kg
Max towing weight - braked 2000 kg

Then have a trailer plated at or down plated to 1500 with an empty weight of 900 or less leaving a possible load of 600 or more
 
I use a 4x4 as my only vehicle. My journey to work is about 25 mins. The fuel costs are do-able but I have to carefully plan journeys further afield because of costs, for example going to visit my mum costs £40 in fuel roughly and I have to decide whether to visit my best friend or granddad too on one long day away from home or make two shorter trips - sounds minor but I never used to have that to think about so I would say its clipped my wings a bit
 
I'm replacing my old 3.5t with a trailer. But the tow car we get will not be my main car for commuting. My OH loves his cars and is in the trade so he always has a "farm" car of some sort, usually a 4x4 so the running costs of that aren't relevant for me as we had one even when we had the lorry.

I much prefer the lorry option tbh but running a lorry is too costly now I have the option of a trailer. In your position though I'd stick with a lorry.
 
I think my horse (large 16.2hh) would weigh 600kg alone, so would need a bigger payload. I think this is why I jumped to the B & E conclusion. Does this change your recommendation? Thanks for the advice!

ROG said:
This vehicle could tick all the boxes ....

OCTAVIA ESTATE - 1.6 TDI CR SE 4x4 5dr (yes, a 4X4 for wet grass !!)
Gross vehicle weight 1998 kg
Max towing weight - braked 2000 kg

Then have a trailer plated at or down plated to 1500 with an empty weight of 900 or less leaving a possible load of 600 or more
Click to expand...
 
jessjc said:
I think my horse (large 16.2hh) would weigh 600kg alone, so would need a bigger payload. I think this is why I jumped to the B & E conclusion. Does this change your recommendation? Thanks for the advice!
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AUDI A3 1.6 diesel
GVW 1790
Towing 1700

IW HB401/403
MAM 1600
Empty 800
PAYLOAD 800

Not a 4x4 vehicle but also no need to down plate trailer
 
OCTAVIA ESTATE - 1.6 TDI CR SE 4x4 5dr (yes, a 4X4 for wet grass !!)
Gross vehicle weight 1998 kg
Max towing weight - braked 2000 kg

Trailer
Bateson Derby
MAM 1700 down plated to 1500
Empty 675
payload 825
 
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