Going from a trailer to a lorry

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_jetset_

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For those of you who have done this, I was just wondering how you found it and how your horses found travelling in the lorry as opposed to the trailer.

I am looking at selling my Equi-Trek 4 star and buying a 7.5 tonne horse box for Grace and Hannah, but having looked at some tonight they look absolutely HUGE! I am planning on doing my test to drive these, but it seems quite daunting as I am used to driving my 4x4 with the Equi-Trek.

Any advice?
 
I started driving a 7.5t last year. It really is very easy. The one thing you can do that will really help you is to all the time when you are driving - whatever you are driving - start to use your side mirrors more. If necessary, tip up your rear view mirror. My instructor said one of the reasons I found it easy to adapt was because I have a van that I drive every day and am used to only having side mirrors - it really does help.
 
Thanks... my hubby has a van so will try to get out in it more.

I am just dreading the lessons and the test if I am honest. But the thought of driving a box with my horses in frightens me more. I am sure once I am used to it, I will be fine
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You can get some quite compact horseboxes that feel like driving a large van. My DAF is only 20ft long from front of cab to back and is really sold to drive. I've found that DAFs generally are more solid than Cargo's.

Good luck
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I changed about six months ago. The first time driving it was scarey but i love it now. It s a nicer feeling having the horses on board what you are driving rather than the thought they could come disconnected from the towing vehicle. Also, going down hill you dont have to be so cautious as the lorry wont snake like a trailer could do. Mine is a Leyland Daf and its 20ft long in total. I can legally take 3 but have changed it so all the tack etc goes in the other partition and theres loads of room for the two boys. They really are ever so easy to drive. You will love it.
 
I was terrified too Rebecca!

In March when my friend and I decided to buy a box together I was determined to get a 3.5ter. I'd never driven anything bigger than a car before and her old 7.5ter was so huge no way would I ever drive it.

But we found a nice compact 7.5ter (about 20ft long and quite narrow) and she persuaded me I'd be fine.

I drove it once with her, without horses, and found it fine - power steering and a gearbox just like a cars. The hardest thing was remembering the length when going round corners.

My first time out with a horse on board was very scary (and only the second time behind the wheel)! And I was on my own as well. But I figured it was now or never, jump in at the deep end, that sort of thing. It was still nerve racking (I had to drive down to the Wirral) but I just took it easy. On the motorway is a doddle, manovering down narrow country lanes a little more harrowing
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I have to admit the first few trips I was still nervous and even now I'm not 100% comfortable until I'm actually sat behind the wheel. The thinking about it is much worse than the actual doing and the more you drive it the better it gets. I always love driving it once I get going (and negotiate out of our horrible narrow, potholed lane).

My parking skills are still poor (wheres the back end again?) and if I met anything big on a narrow lane that involved reversing I'd have to get out and cry. But I've found when parking at venues if I have to get out of a tight spot theres always someone around who'll get behind the wheel and do it for me (cowards way out I know!).

BUT as you'll have to have lessons and pass your test you'll be taught all that stuff. I do intend to go and have some lessons when I get a chance.

You can drive your big 4x4 towing an Equitrek so you'll manage a wagon with no problems at all. Honestly - if I can do it anyone can
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went from driving a corsa to my 7.5ton lorry last April. Drove it several times without the horses on board and tbh once I got used to the size it is just like driving a very big car
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you'll be fine
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