7.5 lorry or 4x4 & trailer in new post pandemic economy??

[Lej09]

I know this question has been asked previously but with all the increased costs post pandemic and inflation Im asking again as I’m in a predicament.

I’m losing my company car (due to new job) which I tow with and I now need to make a decision on buying a 4x4 or investing in a 7.5 lorry and a small car. I drive about 25k miles/year (pre Covid) and I own a 511 trailer for my 16.3hrs. Typically I event once- twice a month with a clinic or two mixed in. So on average I’m out 3-4 times/ month.

What do I do? Will the higher 4x4 running costs be equivalent to running a 7.5 lorry? I love the idea of a lorry but concerned costs will be excessive, especially with the new high fuel costs. But is a 4x4 & trailer just as expensive?

All opinions and advice welcome as I have no experience of lorries and honestly don’t know what to do. I have 1 month to make a decision.

Thanks

 

[blitznbobs]

In my experience a trailer and car is cheaper to run unless you stay away a lot at events and don’t camp in a trailer and hire a hotel/ B and B room… a 7.5 tonne is way more comfortable to sleep in though

 

[alibali]

I recently changed from 4x4 plus trailer to small run around plus 7.5 lorry. I'm not sure for me it'll be any cheaper. The deciding factor was that I may sometimes need to travel 3 (watch your payload, most 7.5 have less than you'd assume!)

The figures for me (before price rises) were

Kia Sorento roughly 39mpg combined (not while towing) or roughly 20p/mile

Replaced with diesel Peugeot 2008 roughly 59mpg or about 13p/mile.

Driving about 12,000 miles a year but expecting commute to increase significantly. Current mileage fuel savings would be £840 pa. Which in itself pays for tax, insurance and recovery on lorry with around £300 left over to go toward repairs and servicing etc. That won't even scratch the surface of repairs however!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Skoda Octavia Scout 2L diesel 4x4 estate car does 55 mpg on a non towing motorway run and is also an awesome and stable tow vehicle. Good fun to drive with excellent road holding.

2000 kg tow limit, so would comfortably tow your horse in the 511.

 

[Trouper]

Another vote for workhorse Skoda. While the luxury of a 7.5 would be lovely, it is only for a few outings a month while a car is a more versatile, daily option. On top of the horrendous price of fuel I would not want to add the cost of licensing, servicing etc of a second vehicle.

 

[Antw23uk]

Congrats on the new job, hopefully a good move for you?

With the craziness in the world right now and a bit of a none starter for a new job, I've kind of made peace with staying in my current role which has a company car (little electric BMW which i charge at work so dont pay for) even though i dislike it a lot, so i am looking for a 7.5t soon. I loath towing so would rather the expense of a lorry.

Not helpful but i feel your pain, its a tough one and im still on the fence 50% of the time!

 

[HorseMaid]

I just got rid of my 4x4 and trailer a few months ago and have bought a 6.5tonne lorry which I am sharing with a friend so costs will be split. I am hoping it works our cheaper than the 4x4 which was costing a fortune on fuel before these price rises! I got a little renault megane as a runaround which is extremely economical to run, free tax and 50 miles to the gallon.

 

[Green Bean]

I have just sold my trailer and paid the deposit on a 3.5t horsebox. I used my OH's pickup to tow the trailer so it wasn't in dedicated use for this. I chose the 3.5t box because:

• my horse is scared of HGVs and is a bad loader - I just couldn't see myself getting her up that steep ramp plus other concerns
• the MOT and servicing of a 7.5t worried me too. Whilst they generally tend to be cheaper than a 3.5t to purchase, I think there is a thread in HH forum that worked out the costs for the MOT and servicing to be around £200 per month when averaged out over the year which to me is crazy unless you stay away and use the box a lot.

 

[Melody Grey]

Is it worth sitting tight with the trailer for a while to see what happens? You could hire a 4x4 or something suitable to tow in the meantime if you need- might provide time and space to see how mileage with the new job and the world pans out?!

 

[Lej09]

Thank you all for your advice. I think it may be best to stick with my trailer for a bit and find a 4x4 that can tow my horse and step daughters little pony and be fairly efficient on fuel (is that even a thing??!).

If anyone now has advice on a good towing fuel efficient (don’t laugh!) vehicle that would be great! ?

 

[Tiddlypom]

See my post # 4 above .

 

[Michen]

See my post # 4 above .

I wouldn't tow a 511 with a horse and a pony in it with that car OP. One or the other yes.

For towing both at the same time even if ones a pony you'll feel much better in something with a high towing capability (and you won't get fuel efficiency with that!). I did tow two 15.1hh's in a 505 with a tiguan (2000kg) but have to say it never felt that comfortable and the difference when I got a touraeg was huge.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I do not normally ever recommend that people tow up to the tow limit of their vehicle, but the Skoda Octavia Scout honestly is up to it. It handles better than a more upright and boxy typical (and less fuel efficient) 4 x 4.

That said, what are the actual weigh bridge weights for the horse and the pony? If the pair weigh over about 980 kg together (to allow for rugs, hay etc.), then that's all the 2000kg tow limit vehicles out anyway.

 

[Michen]

I do not normally ever recommend that people tow up to the tow limit of their vehicle, but the Skoda Octavia Scout honestly is up to it. It handles better than a more upright and boxy typical (and less fuel efficient) 4 x 4.

That said, what are the actual weigh bridge weights for the horse and the pony? If the pair weigh over about 980 kg together (to allow for rugs, hay etc.), then that's all the 2000kg tow limit vehicles out anyway.

Yep but I guess you don’t really know until you are in a bit of a trouble and the car struggles or not to get you out of it when at it’s max limit with a live load.