hoping to get some transport - advice please!

[georgiegirl2]

Our trailer got nicked a few years ago and since then its been borrowing and begging lifts from people and im getting sick of it, especially with twig coming on im going to be wanting to xc schooling and to events with her in the near future and I am now in a position where I will be able to get my own.

I'm 21, have finished uni and now work in operating theatres full time. I've 2 years no claims and currently drive a nissan micra which is in good nick, runs well and is fairly cheap to run and insure. Now the problem is, do i go for the 4x4 and trailer option (I dont have my trailer test although i understand I can drive it with L plates if my mum is with me) or for a small say 2 horse lorry? I have a 15.1 and a 16.1 to travel. Im trying to weigh up which will be more financially viable to do. Whatever I get im going to have to borrow the money from the bank so want to try and keep the money to a sensible amount! Whatever I get will be used weekly or fortnightly. My work is about 4 miles away from my home and the yard about 3 miles in the other direction so daily costs of running a 4x4 have to be taken into consideration.

Argh, its driving me mad, as a fairly niaeve youngster I know nothing about finances and costs of running things! Was wondering if anyone could give me any advice if they were in my position? Many thanks in advance and apologies for the waffling post!

 

[KatB]

For me with one horse, it is more financially viable to buy a small box as then all my budget can go into buying a decent box, the upkeep is cheaper than a bigger lorry, and means I can carry on running my cheap run around (worthless to anyone else) car so day to day costs are less. However, you wont be in the weight buying a small box for 2 horses, so your better option would be to sell car, and get a 4x4 and trailer, and take your trailer test, or if he 4x4 is going to cost you lots to run, and your current car has very lttle resale value, may be worth getting a lorry and taking your LGV license (can also drive a lorry on L plates until you pass your test!). But, remember that means ypu willhave two vehicles to tax, MOT etc etc.... Something I have looked into too, as am also same age as you, but only have the one horse to transport!

 

[georgiegirl2]

As I understand it a small box will need insuring, mot and plating (or are mot and plating the same thing?! - sorry im sounding really thick here) and can you give me some approxiamate costs of what these could be for a small box?

At the moment I'm leaning towards the idea of a tiny lorry, from a driving and money point of view! mum seems to think we should get a car and trailer but to be honest I think I would feel better driving a small box than towing.

 

[KatB]

Small box under 3.5tonnes will require an MOT. but will almost certainly be overweight carrying 2 horses. Over 3.5tonnes they need plating. Not sure on cost of plating, but MOT is as usual car MOT, but would have to go somewhere that MOT's vans etc. Under 3.5tonnes you can drive, over 3.5tonnes you will need additional license. Overall, maintenance costs for 4x4 and trailer will be less, aslong as you can take you trailer test and you will also be able to carry both yours legally.

 

[PeterNatt]

As you are so close to your work (assuming you don't do that much mileage in your car) and yard a 4 x 4 and a trailer would be the cheapest option as you are only paying the road tax, insurance, breakdown recovery, maintenance, mot on the one vehicle.

 

[hebs]

Im getting a 3.5tonner built passed my test after 1997 so unable to tow trailer. I did try the test but failed and it really put me off. Apart from the maths another thing that swayed me is that I only have one horse and I do a lot of miles in my hatchback. Id feel safer driving a small box than towing a trailer.

 

[Chumsmum]

Sorry to hijack the thread but do you think you get could get a good, reliable van/small lorry under 3.5T for under £3K? Everything I see seems over that figure. I've only got one pony to transport and would love a small lorry but looks like I can only afford a trailer.