Anyone under 25 transport their own horses?

MissSBird

MissSBird

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Hi guys

My parents are likely to be moving to Canada very soon, which has left myself and my sister in the strange position of not being able to rely on our Dad to drive the trailer for us. So we're beginning to look into sorting ourselves out.

Having just discovered the cost of insuring a towing vehicle for my 19 year old sister (though it didn't surprise me to be honest), we were wondering if it might work out cheaper to buy a small lorry instead of the big car and trailer.

So I thought I'd ask, for those of you who are considered in the 'young so must be dangerous driver' category and do the driving yourself, what do you use to transport your horses and have you found any good ways of cutting insurance costs?
 
too add me to the parents 4x4 policy when I was 24 was about £800, considering they pay about £200 normally.

over 25 it dropped to about £500.

Initially I drove it with the 3rd party cover from my own insurance and I think it is now about £400

it is generally cheaper for lorries as they know that you will not be using them as your 'main' vehicle.
 
I know a girl on the yards parents looked into getting her 4x4 and trailer and with the insurance test etc it worked out cheaper to get a 3.5t
 
I have my own 3.5t (I'm currently 24) and as I won't use trailers for me it was a no-brainer. The insurance isn't cheap, but could be a lot worse!! Cheaper than adding me onto my Mum's 4x4.
 
i got a 3.5t as didnt want to take trailer test or have a big tow car, and didnt want to take lorry test to drive up to 7.5t.

fully comp lorry insurance plus breakdown was £300!
 
Interesting post, as I was wondering the same thing being a 20yo with the hope of having transport in the future :)
 
I'm 21 and have been driving a 7.5ton horse box just over 2 years - i absolutly love it!!!!!
Costs about £800 insurance as a named driver but its worth every penny for me, altho once u have driven your own horses around its seriously hard to trust anyone else's driving ability!!! i went from a bit of a crazy car driver to a very sedate car driver very quickly aswell!!! Never considered smaller lorry or trailer as we upgraded as soon as the number of horses increased! im currently looking into doing my HGV license so i can get a bigger lorry yet again (also according to insurance company my insurance price will drop! :D)!! I had to do my LGV test but was worth it & great fun! theres nothing better then being independant!! As for cutting insurance costs I offered my dad two options he carried on getting up before dawn to take me to shows all over the country or he payed the lorry insurance - he very wisely opted for the latter :D
 
I do the driving my self, im 23. Have a HGV, it is cheaper for me to insure the lorry, with me as the named driver fully comp, than it is to insure my very old, 400 quid ford estate with me as the named driver, 3rd party fire and theft -work that out lol!
 
I've towed mine own since I was 18, but using Mum's 4x4 and brought my own 4x4 at 21 but the most insurance I ever paid on it was £400 (fully comp). I am now looking at doing my HGV although I don't have one its something I want to have just in case
 
Sounds like there is one prominent response! So now I have to try and work out lorry legislation and payloads and stuff like that.

It does seem a little ironic that the insurance companies would rather have the young behind the wheel of a lorry than a car...

Thanks for all the responses guys!
 
Do your lorry test, seriously.

I sat my trailer test recently and spent a while disgsing this issue with the guys there:

A <3.5t box is going to be expensive, as they are desirable due to the weight (i.e everyone can drive them). They also have next to no payload - if you've got two big horses you've not got a hope.

A <7.5tonne box is cheaper but still fairly expensive as a large no. of people can still drive them. And there is still a payload problem - there are plenty out there that still can't carry two big horses. Our parents can drive them without any extra tests but you'd need a C1 license.

If however you do your full C license you can drive any lorry you want, as long as it's not articulated. The guys at the test centre said I could EASILY pick up a decent 18tonne lorry for a couple of grand, get it converted and hey presto - as many horses as I want in it.

The full C license course (5days, most people pass) is just over £1000 (you only need a car license to be allowed to take it) - it would work out so much cheap to do the test and buy a big lorry, rather than having to pay more for the smaller lorries.

That is my next plan of action.............
 
I cannot agree with you more Kallibear! was going to post exactly the same response.
3.5tons are great if you can find one with a virtually non exsistant payload or you have £20000 to be able to get a custom made! (i know there are some out there cheaper, but not many!)

i am doing my theory very very soon for my LGV. I opted to do the cat C1 as i know i wont ever want to drive over 7.5ton, (can i just state im over 25....but in the same position as you!!) but if you do want to then go for the cat C (which is the new HGV test)

i cant wait to have my own lorry and more importantly my independence!
good luck in whatever you decide, but which ever way you go, car and trailer or lorry, just make sure you are confident driving before putting your little darlings in! Good luck x

Kallibear said:
Do your lorry test, seriously.

I sat my trailer test recently and spent a while disgsing this issue with the guys there:

A <3.5t box is going to be expensive, as they are desirable due to the weight (i.e everyone can drive them). They also have next to no payload - if you've got two big horses you've not got a hope.

A <7.5tonne box is cheaper but still fairly expensive as a large no. of people can still drive them. And there is still a payload problem - there are plenty out there that still can't carry two big horses. Our parents can drive them without any extra tests but you'd need a C1 license.

If however you do your full C license you can drive any lorry you want, as long as it's not articulated. The guys at the test centre said I could EASILY pick up a decent 18tonne lorry for a couple of grand, get it converted and hey presto - as many horses as I want in it.

The full C license course (5days, most people pass) is just over £1000 (you only need a car license to be allowed to take it) - it would work out so much cheap to do the test and buy a big lorry, rather than having to pay more for the smaller lorries.

That is my next plan of action.............
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I agree with Kalibear re all but one point - I too did my trailer test and started transporting my own horse at about 22 years old. Then got a third horse for OH and she was a big girl and we either had to upgrade tow car/trailer or go to lorry. Went to lorry, did my CatC. Only thing I would be wary of is getting something like an 18 tonne - yes, you probably can pick a nice one up cheap and convert it etc but watch out for tacho legislation etc...also you then have to start being aware of weight limits on roads/bridges, turning circles on yards etc...
Don't get me wrong I would happily drive 18t, and if you have 3 or 4 or more horses to transport then the few issues would be worth dealing with, but if only one or two or even three if you are careful about what you buy, a 7.5t might be more straightforward!
There are loads of 7.5t around and you definately get more for your money than with the 3.5, and every year that passes that will be more and more the case as the numbers of people wanting 3.5t goes up.
 
I took my trailer test when I was 19 but I was lucky because my university has a rural skills centre so the training and test was completely free. I tow with a 3.9L v8 discovery as a named driver which costs about £300 a year and I can put 3 horses in the trailer.

I'd love to do my lorry test but I had a fit in 2007 so can't drive a lorry until 2012 :mad::( Very annoying because it wasn't until I went to apply for my provisional C licence that I realised lorries were 5 years unlike cars which are only 1 year.
 
Now I'm even more confused about lorrys, payloads and what we would need weight wise.

We only have 2 ponies, a 14.2hh connemara and a 13hh fell, both of whom combined weigh just under 1000kg. This isn't likely to change at the moment, but if future plans work out we're still likely to have native pony types, or possibly a part thoroughbred around the 15.2hh mark. We're both tiny and not so comfortable with huge horses.

I think this still leaves us at risk of going over the payload with a 3.5ton though...or maybe not.

God this is too confusing for me.
 
Only thing I would be wary of is getting something like an 18 tonne - yes, you probably can pick a nice one up cheap and convert it etc but watch out for tacho legislation etc...also you then have to start being aware of weight limits on roads/bridges, turning circles on yards etc...
Don't get me wrong I would happily drive 18t, and if you have 3 or 4 or more horses to transport then the few issues would be worth dealing with, but if only one or two or even three if you are careful about what you buy, a 7.5t might be more straightforward!
Not actually suggesting she gets a 18tonne! :eek: ;) Just an example really, the point being that if you're planning on shelling out to do the catC1 (LGV) you may as well just spend the same doing the full catC (HGV) instead - it's about the same price and it means you can drive anything you like and aren't restricted by weights.

Even with two smaller horses you're going to be limited with a 3.5 tonnes - the ones that can carry the extra weight are expensive. Really expensive. It also means you'd always be limited to what you can transport, inc friends horses etc. BUT you wouldn't need an extra license cat.

Most 7.5t lorries would carry both you're horses fine BUT, again, the weight can be still limited because some have a suprisingly low payload. If you did want to carry three horses you probably couldn't. And 7.5t lorries are still more expensive than something just over. Plus you'd still need to take a catC1 test. May as well go the full hog and get the catC license. Unless you're driving sucks and you prob wouldn't pass ;)
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Well catC is definatly out. You need to be 21 to sit it, and my sister is only about to turn 19 so we need something to tide us over until then.

So sounds like if it's a lorry something up to 7.5 tonnes would be the right classificaton of lorry.

Thanks for all the advice!
 
jessicabeau1 said:
I always tow and I am 20 and havent one any trailor tests or anything...whats the point?
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If I understand what you are saying correctly, you are towing without having passed the appropriate towing test??

The point is that you are breaking the law by driving without the appropriate license. As a result your insurance is void and, particularly in the event of an accident, you would be fined and/or imprisoned for dangerous or wreckless driving potentially losing your license. Even if you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, it's highly unlikely that any insurance company would pay out for any damage caused to your car/trailer because you are not covered. Claiming you did not know the law would not make any difference at all.
 
jessicabeau1 said:
I always tow and I am 20 and havent one any trailor tests or anything...whats the point?
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Seriously??

The point is that it is AGAINST THE LAW. Not only that but you are putting other roads users as well as your horses (oh and yourself) at risk. You will NOT be insured, and face a rather hefty fine and I would assume points on your licence.

Your post has honestly left me speechless and I am seriously having to bite my tongue right now.
 
My other half is 24 and has passed his hgv in the last month so we can now take our 18 ton wagon out without my father in law and we love the freedom!
 
QR - we didn't have a towing vehicle and Mum didn't want to get a big lorry so we got a little Bedford CF - I was on the insurance once I passed my test and it only cost around £300 a year, drove it from aged 18-21 then sold it to finance my trip to Australia. It was the only way I managed to take my horse to Uni and the best thing we ever did. Wish I could afford to buy a little lorry now :-(
 
jessicabeau1 said:
I always tow and I am 20 and havent one any trailor tests or anything...whats the point?
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Wow...well...good luck to you with that. Personally I'd rather stay the right side of the law. Call me a kill-joy, but considering that a huge majority jobs today requiring a driving liscence I don't think I can risk loosing that, thus a job, thus my horses.

Thanks for the replies folks. It's comforting to know that it is doable! Certainly doesn't feel that way right now.
 
I'm 24, I did my HGV test and I currently drive a 3 hourse lorry.
We looked at me doing my trailer test but insuring me on mums car was going to cost nearly £1000 a year alone and no way on earth was mum letting me take her precious 4x4 out with only 3rd party.
Insurance for a rather valuable lorry for any driver over the age of 25 plus myself as the main named driver and including breakdown comes to just under £400.

Thing with insurance is that no way on earth can you race a horse lorrry, do donuts in tesco car park or generaly cause havoc on the roads as alot of young drivers do.
Also as you have horses onboard you tend to go even slower so I can understand why.

The insurance on the 4x4 is so high because it has an enormous engine, can easily sit at 100mph (and on the way to skiing when driving through germany it very often cruises at 100 - 110 mph), It takes off fast, if you sneeze it changes lane and it does a heck of alot of milage.
compaire that to my lorry which is at the top end of its speeds at 55mph, it doesnt take off fast nor would I ever ask it to because that would throw my horses round, it has a tiny engine that is geared such that at 30mph you are in 4th gear (out of 5 gears and if you are in 3rd your engine is screaming at you to change gear).

I'd rather see a young person ehind the wheel of a vehicle where there is no temptation to pull idiotic stuns as opposed to in a renault clio (or similar) that has got that temptation.
 
I'm not even going to comment on the numpty above who appears to be driving without her test....except to say I really hope you don't live near me as if you crash into me and aren't insured I am going to be REALLY miffed!
OP, if you can go for a 7.5t you will be better off in the end IMHO. Or yes as Kallibear says something a bit bigger - I wanted a 10 or 12t this time round so I could be sure of fitting my three in (a 14.2hh arab, 15.3hh lightweight WB and 16.2hh MW sports horse) however a good bargain came up for a 7.5t on our yard at the right time. I had it weighted and with all our stuff in its 5290 so working on my horses as being 450kg + 520kg + 600kg I am still well within weight. It does help that my arab is almost always one of the three, for example I wouldn't risk my big one with two other big ones (we have a 16.3hh ISH at the yard who I reckon is easily 700kg....) but if yours are all around or below 500kg and you are careful what you buy you will be able to fit three ponies in.
My old beddy was fairly heavy - plating weight was about 5.8t - so I only ever took two apart from when I helped a friend move her three - but one was 12.2hh, one 13,3hh and the biggest was a 15hh TB!
 
jessicabeau1 said:
I always tow and I am 20 and havent one any trailor tests or anything...whats the point?
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What a totally irresponsible & stupid person you must be. Driving without a licence for the combination you are driving. Driving without insurance. If anything happened to your horse whilst in the trailer I doubt if your horse insurance would pay out either as it is being carried illegally. You are a menace to other road users! :(
 
ecrozier said:
I'm not even going to comment on the numpty above who appears to be driving without her test....except to say I really hope you don't live near me as if you crash into me and aren't insured I am going to be REALLY miffed!
OP, if you can go for a 7.5t you will be better off in the end IMHO. Or yes as Kallibear says something a bit bigger - I wanted a 10 or 12t this time round so I could be sure of fitting my three in (a 14.2hh arab, 15.3hh lightweight WB and 16.2hh MW sports horse) however a good bargain came up for a 7.5t on our yard at the right time. I had it weighted and with all our stuff in its 5290 so working on my horses as being 450kg + 520kg + 600kg I am still well within weight. It does help that my arab is almost always one of the three, for example I wouldn't risk my big one with two other big ones (we have a 16.3hh ISH at the yard who I reckon is easily 700kg....) but if yours are all around or below 500kg and you are careful what you buy you will be able to fit three ponies in.
My old beddy was fairly heavy - plating weight was about 5.8t - so I only ever took two apart from when I helped a friend move her three - but one was 12.2hh, one 13,3hh and the biggest was a 15hh TB!
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Its good to know some people have managed to transport 3 in a 7.5. Did you get it weighted at your local weighbridge before or after you bought it, if you don't mind me asking?
 
Before, but we were lucky in that it was a weird situation with the girl leaving the country and wanting to sell the lorry so she pretty much left us with the keys! We had it fully mechanically checked by my trusted mechanics, they gave us a quote on the works needed, we then made her an offer taking that into account, they then got it weighed for me and did the works and we didn't pay her til we had got a year's plating! :) but we were being a bit cheeky as she needed to sell and thats a bit tricky when you are no longer living anywhere near the lorry!
 
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