4x4 and trailer versus 3.5T lorry - pros and cons

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I have sorted out some money to get some equine transport - not a huge sum I will say - and originally I was keen to buy a 3.5T lorry. I am rapidly discovering that everyone wants them, they are hugely overpriced usually and there is some real rubbish around :D

I've also realised that I would probably get a lot more for my money if I bought a 4x4 and trailer, which I always had years ago.....unfortunately the disadvantages have been lost in the mists of time..... can anyone remind me of the pros and cons please?
 
I had a look through a few sites recently and thought the prices were more reasonable and that there were far more about than a few years ago, there is one in Taunton, not sure where it is advertised that looked very smart and sensibly priced if I can find it I will post a link.

Pros and cons vary depending on your needs, your budget, what you already drive and how much you will have to use the 4x4 on a daily basis, if you run a small car you will notice the increase in costs running a bigger vehicle whereas the 3.5 ton will be cheaper on fuel, is so much easier to manage taking the horse out.
 
A 3.5 ton lorry has limited payload, never buy one unless there is a weight certificate as many have well under the payload they sat it has.

The payload on a horse trailer is far more than a 3.5 ton box.

Downside is a 4x4 will probably do much less miles to the gallon than a 3.5 ton box, depending on the make model & age. The excise licence for a 4x4 will probably be considerably higher than that of a 3.5 ton box. You also may need to small runabout because the everyday running costs of a 4x4 may be extremely expensive?
 
I can't find the one in Taunton I suspect it sold as it looked very smart but was over your budget, what about this, payload is good and if you only have one it is rarely an issue anyway, it is near me so if you wanted I could take a look, not going to know about engine etc but could give it a once over, I have a feeling I have seen it out and about locally.

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/3-5-tonne-horsebox/Horseboxes-Trailers/511041
 
be positive said:
I can't find the one in Taunton I suspect it sold as it looked very smart but was over your budget, what about this, payload is good and if you only have one it is rarely an issue anyway, it is near me so if you wanted I could take a look, not going to know about engine etc but could give it a once over, I have a feeling I have seen it out and about locally.

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/3-5-tonne-horsebox/Horseboxes-Trailers/511041
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Very underpowered though - if it's the diesel engine, it's only 2.5l, which isn't enough to get up a gentle slope in a headwind......
 
Transits have over the axle bodies which make for a rolly ride.

My feeling is you'll be seriously pushing a decent 3.5T at that price. Assuming you're too young to drive a 7.5T without taking the test, I would put all effort into the towcar/trailer search.

Will you have another daily driver or will the towcar be your main car?
 
What licence do you have - B or B+E ?

How many horses do you need to transport at any one time ?

What weight do you need to put into the trailer ?
 
Not a bad budget. I don't know what to suggest tbh. I've been looking at 3.5t boxes but for 2 horses, Toby_Zaphod is right, finding one with the payload for 2x15hh plus tack and kit is really hard! I've then started looking at 5t and they are like finding unicorn poo.

So, I've stuck with my 4x4 + trailer combo... for now. It's actually not that bad and the good thing is you can detach at shows if you need to go somewhere for something and just use the truck. My combo is a 3ltr turbo deisel and hb505. You can get a decent trailer for £2k or less depending what you want. IW are heavy but I like the sturdiness. My friend had a fautras which I found easy to tow. Not towed any others. That leaves you £3.5k (maybe more) to find a really decent 4x4 I think. Find one that you can get the door open past the jockey wheel though :D:D:D
 
turnbuckle said:
Transits have over the axle bodies which make for a rolly ride.

My feeling is you'll be seriously pushing a decent 3.5T at that price. Assuming you're too young to drive a 7.5T without taking the test, I would put all effort into the towcar/trailer search.

Will you have another daily driver or will the towcar be your main car?
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Ha ha I wish - I can drive a 7.5T & have regularly done so, l just don't really want one for a single horse?

Initially will have an alternative car until it finally gives up - but that's 2 cars to tax insure & MOT.....
 
tallyho! said:
Not a bad budget. I don't know what to suggest tbh. I've been looking at 3.5t boxes but for 2 horses, Toby_Zaphod is right, finding one with the payload for 2x15hh plus tack and kit is really hard! I've then started looking at 5t and they are like finding unicorn poo.

So, I've stuck with my 4x4 + trailer combo... for now. It's actually not that bad and the good thing is you can detach at shows if you need to go somewhere for something and just use the truck. My combo is a 3ltr turbo deisel and hb505. You can get a decent trailer for £2k or less depending what you want. IW are heavy but I like the sturdiness. My friend had a fautras which I found easy to tow. Not towed any others. That leaves you £3.5k (maybe more) to find a really decent 4x4 I think. Find one that you can get the door open past the jockey wheel though :D:D:D
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Thanks that's helpful - would only be transporting one so payload shouldn't be an issue :)
 
Lévrier;13581710 said:
Thanks that's helpful - would only be transporting one so payload shouldn't be an issue :)
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Ah yes well no, thats ok then. It's when people want favours and lifts... transport seems to attract passengers :D
 
Having recently spent a good 8 months looking for a 3.5t I'm not sure you'd find something safe and reliable for much under £10k (and realistically I think you'd want a budget of about £15k).

I decided I wanted a 3.5t as I don't have a b+e and I think I'd be rubbish at hitching up (especially in dark in the winter) whereas the lorry is so easy to chuck tack in and pop out in no time. I also think horses travel better in lorries (now everyone has cameras I can see my horses sways a lot less in the lorry than a trailer).
 
Nothing wrong with one horse in a 7.5T! Even then £5500 is tight - but might be do-able if you're lucky.

Way cheaper to tax and insure than a 4x4, safer, horses tend to travel better - and you can always take a pal along.

If the towcar will end up being your main car, I would worry a bit. Assuming £2000 for a trailer (and do look at the old Rices, solid if not a great payload) that leaves £3500 for the car - which rules out modern fuel efficient ones....

Perhaps £2000 for trailer, £1500 for thirsty old barge and another £2000 for an economical daily driver - say a Ford Fiesta or Focus?

Yes, it will mean double tax and insurance, but I don't really see a way round that.

How many miles a week do you do? Horsey and non-horsey?
 
ROG said:
I know you said 3.5 tonners are expensive but what about a 4/5/6 tonner ?
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Yep could try for one of those, they don't seem to be very common? There is a Disco TD5 locally which seems to have an amazing MOT record so was wondering about that and an IW 505? I know the Disco would be expensive to run & tax though
 
I recently sold a renault master van conversion, 02 plate with less than 80K on the clock for just short of £7K. I'd had the bulkhead reinforced it had a good floor and a solid ramp. I know conversions have a very bad reputation but this was safe and I only sold it because I needed more head room for the horse. It was in very good condition. So, depending on the head height of your horse, one of these might do you but you do need to be wary as some of them are flimsy rubbish. It was very cheap to run and repairs on Renault masters are pretty cheap compared to most 4x4s. It was also easy to drive and didn't need much space to park up etc, I also found the horse travelled very well in it. It sold pretty immediately so if it's a good one you do need to move fast. Good luck.
 
Having had both, I really like my trailer and car combo. Cheaper to run, and if I am away somewhere with my horse, like camp or something, I like the convenience of being able to unhitch and have a car available. Also I like being able to give other people a lift to shows etc.

I tow a 505 with a SWB X reg Shogun and it's a lovely combo.
 
oldie48 said:
It sold pretty immediately so if it's a good one you do need to move fast. .
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and be prepared to travel ;) You know where I am OP, I travelled down to Plymouth to pick up mine because I knew it would be a good'un.

the good 3.5ts are out there at your budget but they will be pretty rare and it would be wise to have some additional funds available to do some maintenance just in case :wink3:

you'll be taxing & MOTing 2 vehicles anyway if you have a box so I wouldn't let that put you off if you go for an older 4x4 & trailer + smaller runabout.
 
They are out there in your budget. I have a P reg transit with ifor body, it is a great, tidy little box and starts on the button even if it has been sat for a while. I have been toying with the idea of going back to a car and trailer (have B+E) because I don't use it as much as I'd like to but think I may keep it for another year.
Re the other comments about the transit, mine is a 2.5l diesel and I don't find it rolls or is underpowered. I only have payload for 1 (have a cert and have about 950kgs, my horse is 16.3hh and about 550kg) but there are few 3.5t that you could carry 2 horses in.
 
These are the things that we thought about when we decided to go the trailer route rather than a lorry.
We don't transport horses several times a week. Lorries suffer a lot from standing idle. This, in my mind, makes them less reliable.
We don't stay away from home at shows so don't need living accommodation.
Trailers and cars should be cheaper to maintain than a lorry and if one or the other has problems you are able to swap it.
Now, the clincher for me.
If you are driving a lorry and it breaks down, on a motorway you cannot take the horses out of the lorry to transfer them to another vehicle. I believe that the police have to get involved and stop the traffic. The lorry cannot be towed with horses in it. (I am happy for more knowledgeable people to correct me on this). If my tow car breaks down another towing vehicle can take the trailer to safety. If I get a flat tyre on the trailer I have a ramp that allows me to change tyres with the horses still in the trailer.
The 4x4 I tow with is very useful as a solo vehicle but the VED is expensive. However, you don't need a 4X4 if towing a trailer with one horse in it. The key factor, in my view, is that the horse and trailer weight does not exceed 85% of the cars weight. (Yes, I know its not law but it is highly recommended, you don't want the tail wagging the dog!). As to engine power, I would recommend diesel for its low-down grunt. A Mondeo Estate or something similar would fit the bill, and you should find something within your budget.
 
One thing to consider when towing with a non 4x4, is what type of places you will be going with your horse. If you will always be parking on tarmac/concrete then fine, but if you go to places and need to park on grass you may struggle in wet/slippy/hilly conditions.
 
Lévrier;13581747 said:
Yep could try for one of those, they don't seem to be very common? There is a Disco TD5 locally which seems to have an amazing MOT record so was wondering about that and an IW 505? I know the Disco would be expensive to run & tax though
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I have just sold a disco.
I had previously sold a 7.5t as it was getting costly to keep repairing.brought the disco thinkignnitmwoudl be cheaper to fix when it did need.
How wrong was I!
It cost way more than the 7.5t.
Disco has gone, and I have gone back to a 7.5t.
I didn't like towing either!
 
I'm another one going through this debate too. Am transport-less at the moment, and want to get sorted!

As my cob is a hefty lad, a 3.5 would be a deffo no-no for me; so would have to up the anti to a 5t, but as someone else has said they are impossible to find and command stoopid prices when you do see anything that's not a rusting hulk!

I am nervous of towing, towed a caravan many years ago and 'spose I could do it if pushed, but TBH don't know if I can be @rsed to have to hitch up every time I want to go anywhere.

Oh dear................. decisions, decisions. I feel for you OP.
 
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