If you had up to £8000 to buy horse transport, what to get & why?

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mystiandsunny

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Current runners are:
- Older horsebox (but running costs will be quite a bit each year in repairs, plating etc)
- Renault Master conversion (Mk1 type from 3countieshorseboxes)
- 4x4 & trailer

Needs to be safe, and not cost a fortune to run each year. OH has driven Renault Master vans before, is getting lessons in YO's 7.5T box (when we're going to shows everyone wants to go to will take that as she's normally out and about in her big box at weekends and OH is the only one at the yard old enough to drive the smaller lorry when she's not there so we're kind of guaranteed a place on it ), but has never driven a trailer. He is old enough not to take a test for any of those.
 
I would go for the large older wagon, or the renault. If you have a friend who is a mechanic, costs on ther larger ones can be less
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Then a 3.5T renault would be able to be driven by anybody on a car license, so maybe the best all round option?

Actually, what with this 'credit crunch' and all, I would go for the renault, less fuel to go anywhere and you'd only be using it a couple of times a week maybe. TBH, I wouldn't ever have a trailer, and definitely wouldn't pull a trailer with a cheaper 4x4, only with a good towing car such as a discovery, land rover, or a land cruiser.
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I think that for £8000 you will struggle to buy a good 3.5ton box. There are alot of old Renault vans etc out there that have been given a new lease of life due to the weight restriction on newer drivers. Old worn out vans that were worth nothing have been converted, painted & being sold on for thousands. Also an £8000 7.5 ton again will be old & tired & most probably be a money pit when it comes to plating each year.

I think your best option with your budget is to buy a 4x4 & trailer. You will get a really good trailer for £2 - 2.5k & the remaining £5k+ you will get a decent 4x4. They will do more to the gallon that a lorry, easier to mot & can be maintained by ordinary mechanics. At the moment the value of 4x4s are lower due to diesel prices so that will greatly assist you & you'll get much newer for your money.
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Stencilface: I have a 12 year old 2.8 TD LWB Pajero, immaculate condition, tows anything easily......... even old lorries out of muddy fields at shows...... they don't need to be new
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Stencilface: I have a 12 year old 2.8 TD LWB Pajero, immaculate condition, tows anything easily......... even old lorries out of muddy fields at shows...... they don't need to be new
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But I didn't say new, I just specified models that are well known for their ability to tow things well
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I also didn't say that pajeros are bad - just that I would want those cars if I was towing - I did have a Pajero and it was great - but I would actually never tow a trailer with anything ever - just personal choice
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What szie and number of horses?
Doyou make use of day lioving and or full living

Do you want to be able to take a second horse

Do you have a high weekly non towing mileage or could you use a 4x4 for day to day driving for one of you?
 
personally I would go for an older horse box, We have has 3.5T lorries and wouldnt have another unless you are only taking one horse or two small ponies. We are about to sell our 5T lorry for £8950 will try and add a pic so you can see more or less what your budget can buy you

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Questions asked by lcobby are v important to consider really. I currently have an older 7.5t (B reg Bedford) which I bought when we had two horses out most weekends for shows and during week for lessons, one of whom was BIG (16.3hh 750kg ISH). Prior to that I had a trailer (Ifor 505) and and older (M reg) Pajero. My pajero was a nice car to tow with but constantly broke down, costing me hundreds every time, and the fuel consumption for normal driving was astronomical! So we sold both, bought a cheaper runaround car, I took my lorry test and we bought Bluebell the Bedford. Our budget for the whole thing wasn't far off yours!!
I haven't ever ever regretted buying Bluebell, she has been fabulous and costs haven't been that great, because she only gets used for shows we don't spend that much on fuel and we can comfortably carry 2 horses. We have done miles and miles over the last couple of years, including trips to the Brecon Beacons, Lincoln, South Coast etc.
However, I have now moved yards and have lessons on site, and only have one 15hh arab to travel, so we are going back to a trailer, but I have got used to the luxury of having living so we are going halves on an equitrek with a friend and selling the lorry (hopefully already found a buyer - keeping fingers crossed as trying her horse in it next week!).
I think I'd agree with above comments re the 3.5t box - there is a LOT of rubbish around. There is for 7.5t ones too but at least there is more choice in those. I would say if you want living and/or regularly travel more than 1 horse, go for the bigger lorry. If not bothered about living, go for the 4x4 and trailer. As TobyZaphod said, you can get a decent 4x4 for not that much money - I have recently bought a 2003 Navara for £6k and absolutely love it!
If you do go for the older lorry get it properly checked out by a professional LORRY mechanic, ideally one that specialises in horseboxes. So much can go wrong, and I am very glad I got ours vetted as we definately found a 'diamond in the rough' with bluebell - looked at an awful lot of tat beforehand!
PS Not all older lorries are rubbish - mine would be well within your budget and has many years of good service left in her for someone!
 
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