cheaper to run a horsebox or 4x4 and trailer??

[amanda1788]

Hi

I am looking to get some transport but cannot decide what would be better a trailer or 3.5t horsebox.

Basically I wondered what the cheapest would be to run? I have a peugeot so would trade in for a 4x4 which I know suck fuel, but is running a lorry and car cheaper?

I would be using probably at least once a fortnight. Any ideas?

Thanks x

 

[*hic*]

It depends on the mileage you do. I found it cheaper to buy a 7.5 tonner and keep my 50+mpg car but then I was doing around 15K miles pa which would have crippled me in a gas guzzler. The purchase price of the lorry was less than a trailer and I didn't have to buy a towing vehicle so for me it was a no brainer.

 

[Spottyappy]

I purchased a 3.5t lorry last year, afer failing to persude my husband to put a tow bar on our 4x4. The 4x4 is very juicy on petrol if you use it daily- its a Kia, and 56 registration. It costs about £220 road tax, £300 insurance and does just 28mpg running round town.Its last service was about £250.
I then traded in my old bigger car and brought a new small Vauxhall Agila which costs £35 yearly on road tax, and does approx 48mpg running round town, much more ecconomical than the 4x4!! (you could buy something else even more ecconomical but check it has room for horse equipment, as I have to out my seats at the back down to carry tack,a nd a smart car wouldn;t carry much at all, lol!)
It is the only way I can afford to run the lorry, as a bigger car or permanent use of the 4x4 would not be affordable.
The horsebox costs £200 annually on insurance, £180 tax plus servicing and MOT which last year cost £230. It does about 45 mpg maybe more on a long run.Obviously there maybe things that also need doing to the box, mine is an 05 reg so is quite new and happily sailed through its mot with no work required
Whichever route you take, go for the best you can afford to buy- I had to get a loan to buy a newer box than I had aniticapated because the £6000 I originally thought about spending was only going to buy a box that would cost far more in the long run than a dearer newer one.

 

[perfect11s]

I agree with OP, lorry unless you do a tiny mileage in the 4x4.. work on 25 mpg 4x4 , 7.5 ton 20 mpg and a 3.5 ton about 30 and there are plenty of small diesel cars with £35 tax that do 60+mpg hope that helps..

 

[racingdemon]

lorry and car everytime, esp if you do alot of driving, both in the car & in the lorry, my lorry costs me about the same to run as my car, (tax on the lorry is miles cheaper) (i drive a mercedes estate, so not a ideal comparison) but i used to have a smart car when i first bought my lorry, and that was a great combination!