Horsebox weights - HELP!

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I am thinking of getting a horsebox instead of my Equi-Trek for no other reason than I have two big horses (and a soon to be big foal) and I think I might struggle pulling the two of them with my X5 and they will hopefully both be going to the same competitions when Hannah is back in work
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I have done my trailer test (I passed after 1997) which was not too bad, so I would have to do the next test for a horsebox, which is the 7.5 tonne one I think... is this right???

If I take this test, what sort of weight horsebox could I buy? When they are advertised are they advertised as the weight with horses or their unladen weight (see a lot of 7.5 offered, but would I be over the limit with a 16.3hh and 17hh).

Thanks,

Rebecca x
 
A 7.5 ton Horse Box means that ther lorry should not weigh over 7.5 tons when fully laden. The fully laden weight includes not just the horses on board but any passengers, driver. tack, water & fuel etc.
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When you look for a lorry you need to know what the unladen weight of it is i.e. 4.9 tons. That would mean that you would have up to 2.6 tons you can carry. That allowance would be more than enough for your 2 horses, tack & pasengers.
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to be perfectly honest if you can I would take your HGV and not your LGV as there probably isn't 'that' much difference in prices and you never know when your HGV will come in useful.

I did my MGV when I was 18 so couldn't take my HGV then but needed to be able to drive something! Means I can drive up to 7.5tonnes laden which will comfortably be two horses but you have to be careful as a lot of the lorries described as 7.5tonnes are well not!! And the true 7.5tonne lorries are now carrying a premium especially the 3 horse variety.

Also you get more HGV for your money then 7.5 due to limitations of people being able to drive them. So get your HGV and then the extra you spend in taking the test you will probably save when buying a larger lorry
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TBH, you might as well do the test that allows you to drive rigid lorries of any weight, you don't need to do the 7.5tonne test first. (I didn't bother.) It costs the same as the 7.5tonne test, is no more difficult, and at least you can then drive any lorry you want. Also, a lot of 7.5t lorries with living are a bit tight on weight and you may well find you're overweight with 3 big horses and all their equipment on.

ETS
Darn, santa beat me to it.
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They are advertised as the maximum weight they could carry. Its worth asking any vendors if they have a certificate from the weighbridge that will show you the payload - I took my 6 tonne for one before I sold it and it only costs about a tenner. I found most prospective purchasers are a lot more careful about being overweight now. The certificate will show what it weighs unladen - deduct that from what it can take (eg 7.5) and you have the available payload. If you know the combined weight you want to carry (the 2 horses, plus you plus any passengers plus allowances for fuel, water etc), you will then easily be able to tell if you are legal. A lot of 7.5 tonne boxes can only take 2 , especially if they have a big living.
 
Thank you for all of this... I am only ever planning on taking two. When Troy comes into work, the plans are to put Hannah back in foal as she will be 15 then
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My 3 horse Cargo weighed 5.5 tonnes unladen, so I had 2 tonnes to play with, to give you an idea. The are weighed when brake testing at the MOT place, it is itemised on the paperwork. Hope this helps!
 
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