Horsebox or trailer?? Any advice please!

[kittykatcat]

Hi all, just looking for advice, experiences, words of warning or wisedom...I'm looking into getting some transport - it's something i've been thinking about for, well, years now, so it's not going to be a rushed decision....but i don't know what would be best for me. I would only want the transport for pottering around in, going to local shows, that sort of thing, nothing too long distance. I don't have a 4x4 but could possibly have access to one, but would probably have to rely on someone else to drive it. I would need to do my trailer test...
How much (very roughly) does it cost to run a small lorry (one that can be driven on a car liscence)?? Obviously i will research this more in detail, but i literally don't know if its thousands or hundreds.
Any help or advice or experiences would be appreciated. thanks

 

[floradora09]

We're currently looking for some transport atm too. I'd say (apart from the towing issues) that a trailer sounds best for you, if you're not going to be using it an awful lot, as with a lorry you'd have to road tax, insurance and all that hassle. Plus there's more to go wrong with a lorry.

However, if you have a car with a good engine, you may find you can tow a trailer anyway...? Do some research, but i think that if you have the car to tow, I think a trailer would be best! God luck! =D

 

[Rachelk]

Hi kittykatcat, I have recently purchased a 3.5tonne renault master after searching for months

it was about £350 to insure for a year but will go down next year when I am 22 to about £300, about £100 to tax and £40 fills the tank up and the fuel seems to last forever

!!!! Not sure about MOT but I know its not that expensive. Just be careful when purchasing depending on how old it is to make sure its sound and wont cost you lots on its next MOT!!!!! I love mine though

.
Only thing is I have a 16.1 and would only carry him in the lorry for risk of goin over 3.5 tonne

, So another factor to consider is how many you would like to carry, If 2 horses I would then prob go for a trailer.
I think a lorry is cheaper than a trailer as you wud have to pay for the test, plus fuel for runnin a 4x4 all week is quite expensive!!!!

 

[Ani]

Yeh KittyKatcat and Bramble09 I'm looking too, if anyone has an ifor williams 510 in Berks, Thames valley, South, Midlands, anywhere......Everyone i call about is already sold. alternatively i would be interested in a box which would take a big (17.1hh) horse under £8,000 and newer than 'M' reg, DAF, Cargo, Iveco or similar. it is such a pain trying to find the right one. i had an ifor 505 before which was fab, just the job but to small for my current horse so i had to sell it.

 

[kittykatcat]

Hmm...this is all food for thought! Do you have to insure a horse box with a specialist company, or can you insure it with any one as a van or whatever???

 

[Rachelk]

Specialist company - Not everyone covers horseboxes, you will have to tell them it is a horsebox and explain what you will be using it for eg pleasure, transporting etc

 

[Louby]

Hi, how exciting.
Theres pros and cons for both but if your horse will travel in a trailer then I would go for that.
My horse wont and so I have finally afforded my own wagon which is a 7.5t (he travels well herringbone) The insurance and breakdown cover is £350 per year, tax £160 and then MOT which is up soon eeek. Mine is quite new for a horsebox and Ive had a few minor things go wrong so be careful what you buy.
Im hardly using it and it breaks my heart to see it stood there doing nothing and costing me money. If I used it, it wouldnt bother me. A trailer on the other hand is pretty much cost free apart from a service.