Horse Lorry or Trailer "what do you prefer"

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Gucci_b

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Would like to buy some form of horse transport... but their are pro's and con's to both trailer and a lorry. What do you prefer and why and if a lorry how much do you pay to keep it ticking over...
 
I put trailer - purely based on cost. I think if you compete a lot and travel a fair distance then a lorry is best. However, I work full time, and am mainly a happy hacker with occasional other disciplines thrown in. We really don't have the time to use our trailer that much, so makes sense to not get a lorry!!
 
Really depends on budget. Also which you feel more comfortable driving. If you dislike driving something big like a lorry and trailer might be a good alternative or if you don't like the trailer attached to the car, a lorry may be the best option
 
Lorry, it costs me £165 tax, £200 insurance and diesel. Touchwood it doesn't seem to breakdown apart from needing a new battery after 6 years
 
I've just started shopping for a lorry. I wouldn't like a trailer for the reason Teapot's already mentioned *shudder*
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I have a little 3.5t lorry and it's the best thing in the world. It's so easy to drive, the horses travel far better in it than in a trailer and theres no hassle. (Plus it's a lot easier to reverse
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Echo that Boss, I have an LT35 and I LOVE it - carries two and drives like a big car. I had a Transit before that and it was not really up to it, I did not realise how difficult it was to drive until I had my VW.
 
Ummm...not sure. I love my trailer and my horse thinks of it like his second stable. however, I haven't had anything suitable to pull the trailer with for the last year so have been hiring transport. Have used a little lorry which I didn't like and a big (5 horse) lorry, which I was much happier with.

Horse was probably happier in the big lorry but then again he was with 4 mates, so he was bound to be!

Probably would stick with the trailer though, given the choice.
 
it is truly awful what happened on the M4 but we have to put things into perspective here, think of how many trailer journeys are undertaken every day free of incident.......trailers are not evil....... i have seen two really nasty accidents involving horseboxes, both of which ended up on their sides
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i have a trailer simply because i cannot justify a lorry at the moment.
 
I'm in the same position of looking to buy transport. I keep swaying from one to the other but I am now swaying more towards a lorry
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[ QUOTE ]
it is truly awful what happened on the M4 but we have to put things into perspective here, think of how many trailer journeys are undertaken every day free of incident.......trailers are not evil....... i have seen two really nasty accidents involving horseboxes, both of which ended up on their sides
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i have a trailer simply because i cannot justify a lorry at the moment.

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I can't help but agree. However my horse will not travel in a trailer, so lorry for me! Also works out far cheaper for me to have a lorry and cheap small car than it would a suitable towing vehicle as I do a lot of miles.

Trouble with lorries is if you don't use them a lot, i.e. pretty much weekly, then they can start to cost a lot as they do need to be kept running.
 
lorry, Ours cost under £2000 to buy, costs £165 per year to tax, £300 to insure including brakedown and recovery. cost far far less then the car to service (cost £100 last time as it only needed a bit of oil and the fuel filters cleaning), it only need servicing once a year but we get it done every 6 months just incase. And my little car costs alot less then mums massive 4x4 to run everyday. weve been pleasently suprised by how little it costs to run a lorry rather then a car and trailer/

Oh and the lorry is more feul efficient then the car!
 
Lorry! I like the stability and I like having some living area to get changed/have a cup of tea/shelter from the weather in. Plus a lot of the show stuff can be left in the lorry from week to week so don't have to pack loads of stuff all the time.
 
lorry. weighed up pros and cons and costs and bought my lorry 15months ago. It's ace
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Cupboard for saddles, grooming kit, first aid kit, water and buckets. bridle racks and coat hooks. Plenty of cupboards and drawers for bits and bobs. Space for portaloo and curtains all round so can go loo and get changed in private. This makes it so much easier when going to a show or just taking the boys out and about as a lot of stuff just gets left on the lorry.
Cost wise (touch wood) I have found it ok as tax is £165, insurance and full breakdown is about £350 and plating is £65. Far cheaper IMO than running a 4x4 for everyday use.
 
i love my lil lorry, ive worked out it'll cost me about £1000 for insurance, MOT & tax on my car & lorry each year then fuel will be put in as & when. i can load the lorry up the night before so all i do on the morning is load him in it.

also i would have to take test for trailer & couldnt afford to pay the insurance, higher insurance premiums, Tax & fuel costs of using a 4X4 all the time especially as a young driver
 
For safety and comfort a 7.5 ton lorry everytime, don't rate the 3.5 ones with bigger horses. But unless you drive them every week they are really not practical, so I have a trailer and would hire a lorry if I was going to a show further afield.
 
I'm having a complete nightmare trying to choose what to do. I'd really like a 4x4, and the modern ones are relatively cheap to run (I'm thinking of a Kia Sorento) or possibly (but unlikely - too risky) a Nissan X-Trail. I woud only be towing one horse and I want a lightweight trailer like a Bateson or Cheval Liberte. I would be within the 85% kerbweight with both of those and just my little geegee.

But....and it's a big but (hehe no pun intended), my OH is not at all happy about me towing, says it's far too dangerous and I think he may fullly put his foot down about it. he wants me to get a lorry (I may find that if he is this firm about it then he may help me a bit ££ for a lorry but probably not).

I think I'd rather have a lorry for the convenience of being able to take friends to shows, and having somewhere to change or sit when it's pouring with rain.

I read that article in YH about struggling to get a lorry for less than £7000. That's far too much money for me. So I got a bit disheartened!!
 
Ive had both.

I went back to a trailer as i have to run a four wheel drive anyway. I do miss the box and tbh would probably prefer one to trailer but decided with one horse and the occasional two it just wasnt worth it. The trailer I bought has more room that most boxes i looked at too.

I think it depends on how often you will use it and how far you go.

The problem you have is the price. You may well get a reliable old box, but it wont be easy, and the cost of keeping it on the road could be expensive if you dont use it much. Old lorries need to be run once a week and parts are often hard to source. It is useful to know of a good mobile mechanic!
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If you do go for a box then make sure you take someone experienced to see it! And turn up early so you can see it started for the first time!
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Id get a 3.5 ton lorry for me.
Main reason - Have to take a test to drive trailer
Other reason - Feel better being able to get to my horse in case of a problem.
But for cost a trailer is better?
Luckily im in no financial position to bother worrying about it for a good few years yet!
 
dozzies mum, i havent found our ancient lorry expensive to maintain at all and it was only the 3rd lorry we looked at. it never needs anything doing to it and flys through its plateing no problems.
 
My ancient old bedford (bought for £4200 13 years ago) has been brilliant! Personally would never have a trailer again after having lorry.

Old Betty the Bedford bless her has cost £500 in 13 years for mechanical work and insurance is £206 a year
 
ive got a friend with a newer lorry (98) has had no end of problems with it. I think the older lorrys can often be the better ones.
 
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