I'm terrified of trailers.. Help pls..

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Jacks Mum

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Hey, need some advice pls... We've bought a pony for our son and really want to take him to pony club n a few shows.
hubby is totally anti lorries, and I'm terrified of trailers having had bad accident which resulted in shot pony on high street when i was 16...
He does not understand how dangerous trailers can be especially having someone terrified towing it.. pls help me to explain pros n cons to him because its resulted in me sleeping on the sofa and in tears!
 
First off, how come your OH is so against lorries?

I would love to have a lorry!

Lorry - Luxury when it's raining and your cold and wet - somewhere private to change in!
Trailer - cold and not very private to change in.
Lorry - Also great for getting out of the sun on a boiling hot day
Trailer - There isn't a lot of room for horse (x2) and rider, grooms, dog etc to all fit in and have enough room to yourselves to cool off (who wants to sit in a boiling hot car?!
Lorry - Good amount of storage space for tack etc.
Trailer - it doesn't have storage space (very limited!) You have to cram all of your tack in the boot!
Lorry - Some come with cookers where you can cook your own lunch. Some with a fridge to keep you drinks cold!
Trailer - Packed sandwiches and warm drinks? Or buy it from burger van for £££
Lorry - Depending on size can get 2+ horses in one! Can take a friend with you.
Trailer - Depending on size can only take 1 or 2. Friend depending on if you only take 1.
Lorry - Has an engine of it's own.
Trailer - Needs a car to pull it.
Lorry - Doesn't need to be man-handled, it has an engine!
Trailer - Unless you want to fiddle about with backing a car up to it and hitching it up everytime you want to go out come rain or shine, don't get one :D!!

Is that enough reasons?!

Oh and lorries can't jack knife like a trailer can if you get hit / slam breaks on in an emergency :)
 
The main difference between lorries and trailers is financial. Lorries need to be taxed, MOTed, insured, roadworthy, filled with fuel. Trailers don't. Modern trailers are superb and their safety records are as good as, if not better than, older lorries. Why not set yourself a task: do some research into modern trailers. Go to lots of shows, talk to trailer owners, ask to look inside, ask owners what they think. I bought a brand new Bateson Deauville trailer and honest to god it was the most fabulous thing on wheels. And I got it for £3,800. Horse loved it, I loved it, everyone was envious. My downfall was I couldn't park or reverse it! I now have half shares in an old banger of a lorry that will only really take 1 horse at a time. The back ramp weighs a zillion tons. Horses have to back out. Only feasible because the other half is owned by my friend whose OH is a mechanic! But at least I can drive it. I'd sooner a trailer any time but no good if you can't use it! Good luck x
 
pratice reversing then easy, i have to reverse isuzu crew cab an 14ft livestock trailer in small livestock market an just as good as any man! have ifor 506 and very please with it,horse happy in it and woulnt have unreliable old lorry.
 
I would rather have a modern trailer than a rustbucket old lorry! (If I could afford and oakley that would be a different matter!) We go all over in our 4x4 and trailer I have a wessex which is very comfortable for the horses.

Trailers have come a long way over the years and are as safe as any other vehicle on the road if they are maintained properly. Don't think lorries are infallable either, OH is an HGV tow truck driver and attends the scenes of road accidents to clear the road and has been to many a horse lorry on it's side due to accidents.....
 
Why not get some lessons towing a trailer. I'm sure there are people who have been featured in H&H who give lessons. At least then you can tow one while its empty and build up confidence.

I've had both a trailer and a lorry, I have to say my horse travelled well in both of them. Trailers are so much cheaper than lorries unless you can afford a new one with a new chassis Lorries are often money pits - there speaks the voice of experience. :(
 
Jacks Mum said:
Hey, need some advice pls... We've bought a pony for our son and really want to take him to pony club n a few shows.
hubby is totally anti lorries, and I'm terrified of trailers having had bad accident which resulted in shot pony on high street when i was 16...
He does not understand how dangerous trailers can be especially having someone terrified towing it.. pls help me to explain pros n cons to him because its resulted in me sleeping on the sofa and in tears!
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You have my full sympathy and understanding. Our horses won't even load for me because I am so scared of trailers.. they are fine with OH. I have to keep well away and, if I can get away with it, I don't even travel in the Landrover but go separately in my car, preferably when there is no chance of me catching them up! Trailers terrify me although ours travel so well in them.
 
If you can't have a lorry, may I suggest:

Research the trailers carefully - we bought an old solid thing with wheels the size of a house, but it is very stable. D has been refurbishing it and the mechanic has been over it and the electrician is booked to come and bespoke all the lighting on/in it :D. Wonderful to tow :D

Research the towing capacity of your vehicle. Don't have a car that can 'just' cope with the weight/size.

Get a stabilizer. I haven't used one, but I've heard very good things about them.

Don't overload the trailer. We tow with a Disco, so have the highest car towing capacity (3.5 tonnes). Gear goes in the boot. Only horses and hay go in the trailer.

Go on a towing course. Once you've done that, if someone will allow (when the ground is better!), practice setting off, cornering, stopping and reversing.

Remember that thousands and thousands and thousands of horses are moved by trailer every year and the accident rate is very low.
 
I think the days of trailers is numberd or maybe the vehicles to tow them are , with diesel at 130 ppl and rising , road tax over £400!! unless you tow with something old or commercial a trailer isnt a cheap option anymore .... its madness to run round in a 25/30 mpg 4x4 just so you can tow a poxy horse trailer safely once in a while....
 
perfect11s said:
I think the days of trailers is numberd or maybe the vehicles to tow them are , with diesel at 130 ppl and rising , road tax over £400!! unless you tow with something old or commercial a trailer isnt a cheap option anymore .... its madness to run round in a 25/30 mpg 4x4 just so you can tow a poxy horse trailer safely once in a while....
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I would agree, except that in the winter just gone, my 4x4 pulled cars out of car parks, made me able to get to work when lots of other people couldn't (and that's using the M1!), carries hay and feed, and it can cart seven people about in reasonable comfort :D

When I first got my lorry three-ish years ago, it cost nearly £80 to fill up. Now it costs over £100 to fill up the Disco, so :eek: as to how much it would cost to fill up the lorry if I still had her.
 
i towed a trailer for years~~~terrified at first but got used to it and happily toured country with my event horse. then we got a lorry as we needed to take 4 horses hunting~~~~absolutely terrified just at thought of 4 big horses on back~~~~omg what if one went berserk~~~nearly had nervous breakdown and that was before i drove the blessed thing!!!" eventually got used to lorry number 2 ~~~~a 3 pony now transporting games ponies all over country. yes the ramp weighs a ton but can manage with several kids and a lot of shouting to PUSH!!!!

now contemplating going back to trailer~~~~would it be more economic?? not sure????? had a little practise~~~~~absolutely terrified~~~nearly made myself ill at the thought. here we go again!!!!!!!

i would say practise,go to a jolly training session~~~~our riding club have occasional trailer towing lessons. get a little group together and get someone competent to come and give a lesson. have some practise runs without pony~~go and pick up hay,shavings ,shopping ,anything just get going and your confidence will slowly return.
 
Ask your PC DC if there's anyone local to you that you may be able to lift share with. Ask at your yard if anyone belongsthinking of joining to PC too.

We joined PC last year and I've given lifts (other than to events very local to us) as we live furthest away we have to go past, and it saves congestion at the venue!
 
oh just had flashback about 25years ago now when i first towed my horse to an event.

i had enlisted the help of a truck driver friend to just come along and supervise the drive. as i carefully negotiated my way out of the event field at about 2miles an hour, taking oh so much care ,after about 10 minutes my
friend calmly suggested that i would like to take my foot off the clutch now!!!

it just so happened the same friend was up staying with the family when we purchased our first old lorry. having about 4 miles to go and collect it and a busy junction to negotiate the obvious thing seemed to get friendly truck driver to drive it home. I proudly introduced my new purchase to him and as he manhandled it out of its old home in the direction of ours i heard him mutter "what a heap of sh** !!!
 
I'm not brilliant at reversing trailer, but really not a problem. PC events usually in huge field so no reversing necessary, and loads of helpful farmers/wives who will always help out if you get in a sticky situation.
 
Sorry, I would say lorry all the way even if just a 5/6Tonne one as opposed to a 7.5T. you wouldn't get me putting my horses in a trailer. My sister was involved in a trailer accident - towing vehicle Discovery, two horses in trailer but the road conditions (M1) caused the trailer to snake and it flipped over taking the Disco over with it and slid several hundred yards down the M1 until it was stopped by the barrier.

Miraculously noone (horse or human) were injured other than some minor scratches but there is no way I would tow a trailer or allow my horse to be towed in a trailer I'm afraid. I know too many people who have had nasty accidents in them but in comparison I don't know anyone who's had a bad accident in a lorry.
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
The main difference between lorries and trailers is financial. Lorries need to be taxed, MOTed, insured, roadworthy, filled with fuel. Trailers don't. Modern trailers are superb and their safety records are as good as, if not better than, older lorries. Why not set yourself a task: do some research into modern trailers. Go to lots of shows, talk to trailer owners, ask to look inside, ask owners what they think. I bought a brand new Bateson Deauville trailer and honest to god it was the most fabulous thing on wheels. And I got it for £3,800. Horse loved it, I loved it, everyone was envious. My downfall was I couldn't park or reverse it! I now have half shares in an old banger of a lorry that will only really take 1 horse at a time. The back ramp weighs a zillion tons. Horses have to back out. Only feasible because the other half is owned by my friend whose OH is a mechanic! But at least I can drive it. I'd sooner a trailer any time but no good if you can't use it! Good luck x
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I 100% agree with this comment. Trailers are a lot cheaper to run. I did all the sums and when you add up insurance/mot or plating/maintenance etc then a trailer does make sense especially when you are towing a small pony and thats it (not to patronize you but I mean this in comparison to say 2/3 large horses). I purchased a massive ifor 510 that I could tow on my discovery (big 2.5ltr diesel) so I had a big safe car with a new and safe trailer - basically as safe as you can get.

What about organizing some trailer towing lessons to get your confidence back? Be thankful you won't have to take a trailer test (I am guessing your age by you having a child who has a pony) it cost me a bomb! If you do need to take a trailer test then the only think you can drive is a small lorry anyway!
 
I spent ages weighing up the pro's and cons of trailer vs lorry last year and eventually went for the lorry! Its only a wee 3.5tonne but to go to PC with one pony I doubt you would be needing anything bigger anyway! Tax is £210 per year, insurance (including roadside recovery) £320 per year, it has a standard MOT and costs just over £100 to fill the tank (and get about 700miles out of that!). I worked out it would cost me more to run a decent 4x4 every day for the sake of towing than to have a smaller car and the box.
 
Have to say that although I'm not in a position to get either a lorry or a trailer yet I would be terrified at the thought of putting my boy in a trailer. Sounds silly as he is just a 13.2hh pony (fell - so quite chunky) but I've seen him rocking and rolling a 7.5 tonne lorry when we loaded him and he started jumping around before we set off, I nearly threw up with nerves at that point! To be fair he was just bouncing and the lorry was only bobbing about a little bit as it's a really swanky quite new 3 horse lorry belonging to a friend but it scared me enough! Also I know lorries can be expensive to maintain but I cann't see how it would be economically viable to sell my little 1.4L car I used every day for work and trade it in for a beast of a 4x4 suitable for towing and then filling it up to use it daily to get to work (currently a 50 mile round trip). I would love a 2 horse box at some stage in the future.
 
I'd personally choose a lorry anyday, much much safer IMO!
I'm spoilt at work with a new 3.5 ton one, which i use for my own horse sometimes, and I have to say, using a trailer when being used to that is just scary!
I hate not being able to see what the horse/s are doing in a trailer, it feels like it's just too far away from me, and I've heard too many awful stories.
I personally find horses travel better in a lorry too.
But ask yourself how often you will use it per year, then work out what it would cost per trip (yearly cost of lorry divided by number of outings) then consider if it may actually be cheaper to hire one every time you want to go somewhere :D :D
Oh and ours is super economical, deisel costs about the same, if not less, than running a 4x4.
 
ladyt25 said:
Miraculously noone (horse or human) were injured other than some minor scratches but there is no way I would tow a trailer or allow my horse to be towed in a trailer I'm afraid. I know too many people who have had nasty accidents in them but in comparison I don't know anyone who's had a bad accident in a lorry.
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I've towed trailers for over 20 years and never had an accident with one. However, I have seen a lots of accidents waiting to happen when following trailers. Far too many people dont have a clue how to tow. poor driving causes snaking and accidents, not the trailer.

As for lorries being safer? I had a front tyre blow and come off the rim at 58mph on the M1 at night on a wet road in rush hour. When the police arrived on the scene they were amazed I'd managed to keep the lorry straight and fully expected to find it on its side.
When 7.5t of lorry starts to go side ways its VERY difficult to stop.

Both have the advantages and disadvantages, how safe each is depends on the skill of the person behind the wheel.
 
I sympathise and the last thing you need is posters hyping up the terror factor.

Trailers are not dangerous - drivers are. I towed a trailer from 6 weeks after my 17th birthday for over 30 years with no issues even though SWB Diahatsu at the time.

I now have a 3.5T lorry as my commute to work is too long for a 4 x 4. I get stuck in fields, its really unstable with bad camber as so heavily weighted RHS. I never take it out in the wind as it feels suicidal. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't swap back to a trailer but fully intend to buy a 4 x 4 and single trailer for windy days when we move closer to my work.

Try not to blame your husband, all you need is some time and practice, loads of places do courses.
 
What are the reasons for your OH being against a lorry? Is it financial? Becuase I think this is a bit of a red herring. I don;t have horse transport of my own. The reason being I can't afford to buy a decent, well maintained good quality trailer and a large reliable 4 x 4, nor to run the 4 x 4 alongside my smaller car for every day. Nor can I afford to buy a small renault style rear facing small 'lorry' which is what i would be happy with. Both options are out of my price range and to be honest, I think the small lorry option would work out cheaper then newish trailer and 4 x 4. And I am confident to get in and drive the little lorry - I hire one if I need to go anywhere, whereas I really don;t feel happy towing with a car that I don't drive every day.
 
I personally think that trailers are extremely dangerous and should be banned. I also had an awful accident that wrote off my LR Disco and trailer and nearly killed 2 horse and the only explanation from the police and the insurance was "it's one of those things that happens from time to time with trailers and lorry lines on motorways with moving cargo - and there is nothing you can do to avoid it". Apparently it doesn't matter how carefully you drive, there are so many outside factors that you have no control over any one of which can cause the trailer to jackknife/flip and, get this, the worst speed for accidents is 40MPH (so you don't even need to be driving fast!!!)

Controversial I know and I understand that many people use them without any problems but tell me this, would you strap your child into a piece of tin and tow it behind you going 50/60mph on a motorway? Probably not. Why would you do it to 3/4 of a ton or more or moving live weight? Once that thing is strapped on and you have all that weight over that tiny point of connection you have no control whatsoever.

Don't get me started with the ranting. Awful dangerous things.
 
I spent alot of my childhood being ferried around with friends in a 4x4 and trailer, and whilst we had one or two hairy experiences on motorways (my first pony climbed over the breastbar and fell through the front jockey door), we never had any major issues with towing. I have since realised the reason why i wasnt too worried about them then was because I wasnt the one driving! even having my boyfriend tow it for me (he's experienced at towing a rally car on a trailer so for him the only difference was that he could notice the horse shifting its weight) was hairy, nothing to do with his driving but i really didnt like the xperience.

We were very lucky to buy a dirt cheap ford 3.5t off a friend who was going to have it scrapped as she couldnt afford to get it through the next MOT - my OH is a specialist ford mechanic and MOT tester and knows them inside out so we've been able to get it road (and horse)worthy spending only a fraction of what it would have cost her to have done through a garage.

He insisted that i drive it around empty for a week, before driving anywhere with a horse on, and i have to say i absolutely love it, and am so comfortable driving it i almost feel safer in it than in my own car.

I agree trailers are cheaper to keep going if you have a 4x4 to tow it. But i'd have to take the trailer test which i understand costs a fortune (i'd probably fair on my driving alone, let alone with a trailer behind me). For us the lorry is cheaper to run; we only tax it for 6 months of the year over summertime and he does all the mechanical work on it so its ready to pass its MOT before its presented. If i wanted a trailer, we'd have to get a 4x4 as our main car, the cost of keeping that on the road is more expensive than my lorry and my small car combined.

If you really have to face up to using a trailer, it sounds like you need to spend alot of time getting comfortable with loading, unloading and towing it. I'd say spend a while towing it empty, have some lessons, or have someone else with you at all times.
But if you really are terrified of towing one, you may be more likely to cause/get into an accident through sheer nervousness (no offence intended!x) so you'd be better with something you feel comfortable and safe in.
 
Lorry every day of the week after losing a horse in a trailer accident in a well maintained trailer that was being towed carefully and competantly. Wouldn't put either of mine in a trailer for all the tea in china.
 
Luckylocalian said:
I personally think that trailers are extremely dangerous and should be banned. I also had an awful accident that wrote off my LR Disco and trailer and nearly killed 2 horse and the only explanation from the police and the insurance was "it's one of those things that happens from time to time with trailers and lorry lines on motorways with moving cargo - and there is nothing you can do to avoid it". Apparently it doesn't matter how carefully you drive, there are so many outside factors that you have no control over any one of which can cause the trailer to jackknife/flip and, get this, the worst speed for accidents is 40MPH (so you don't even need to be driving fast!!!)

Controversial I know and I understand that many people use them without any problems but tell me this, would you strap your child into a piece of tin and tow it behind you going 50/60mph on a motorway? Probably not. Why would you do it to 3/4 of a ton or more or moving live weight? Once that thing is strapped on and you have all that weight over that tiny point of connection you have no control whatsoever.

Don't get me started with the ranting. Awful dangerous things.
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You car is kind of piece of metal you drive around at 50/60 mph anyway and if a lorry crashed into your car or a trailer you all a bit screwed. Trailers are considerably more robust than they used to be.

I think that there are pro's and cons of both. The newer 3.5 ton 'smaller' versions are lovely and safe but they are £15 for a second hand one and well over £20k for a new one which is unrealistic for a lot of people.

I think trailer/lorry you need to have experience and be careful - most accidents are caused by poor driving.
 
Luckylocalian said:
I personally think that trailers are extremely dangerous and should be banned. I also had an awful accident that wrote off my LR Disco and trailer and nearly killed 2 horse and the only explanation from the police and the insurance was "it's one of those things that happens from time to time with trailers and lorry lines on motorways with moving cargo - and there is nothing you can do to avoid it". Apparently it doesn't matter how carefully you drive, there are so many outside factors that you have no control over any one of which can cause the trailer to jackknife/flip and, get this, the worst speed for accidents is 40MPH (so you don't even need to be driving fast!!!)

Controversial I know and I understand that many people use them without any problems but tell me this, would you strap your child into a piece of tin and tow it behind you going 50/60mph on a motorway? Probably not. Why would you do it to 3/4 of a ton or more or moving live weight? Once that thing is strapped on and you have all that weight over that tiny point of connection you have no control whatsoever.

Don't get me started with the ranting. Awful dangerous things.
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THANK you all so much for taking time to reply... He is against lorries because he feels they would be too expensive, however i drive a automatic honda crv pathetic excuse for a 4x4, its brilliant run around and on ice but it won't tow a trailer.. therefore i tried to explain we'd need a bigger 4x4 if i'm even going to think about it...

BUT 6 months ago we came to blows when i saw a lovely 4x4 and asked if we could buy it n apparently it was TOO EXPENSIVE to run... we may only take lorry out twice a month Easter to Sept..

And part of the problem is being terrified of having a panic attack whilst I have our 5yr old son in the car and a trailer behind..

When we lost rusty I vowed i'd never use a trailer agin, I didn't for 10 years, then my mare needed to be moved from a stud urgently and they took her in a trailer, she fell over and lost the foal.. I feel i have an inner sense i don't want to try a 3rd time!

I'm about to inherit 10k overnext few days, he wants me to plough it all into our business.. BTW we won a GARAGE.. so FFS mechanics shouldn't be a problem..! I've said I'd like to spend £3k of it on a lorry max and have offered the rest to the business...

Just don't know what to do.. had awful night and we haven't spoken a word since my last post last night!

Its comforting to know I'm not the only person hating trailers thou...

thanks again.. x
 
Just a note of caution - travelling horses can be dangerous whatever you choose to travel them in!

Please, please, please ensure that whatever you choose is regularly maintained and especially that the floor is checked before every trip.

Only last weekend, my husband and I had to flag down a trailer as we had seen the horses foot dragging on the ground beneath the box. Luckily we prevented what could have been a horrific accident as we were there at the right time before any serious damage had been done.
 
kdp0511 said:
Just a note of caution - travelling horses can be dangerous whatever you choose to travel them in!

Please, please, please ensure that whatever you choose is regularly maintained and especially that the floor is checked before every trip.

Only last weekend, my husband and I had to flag down a trailer as we had seen the horses foot dragging on the ground beneath the box. Luckily we prevented what could have been a horrific accident as we were there at the right time before any serious damage had been done.
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OMG!!!!! I was lent a trailer once and the floor was a bit dodgy and it freaked me out big time. I then had to go and buy a new one.

Like you say whatever your travel mode of choice be careful and confident and don't be too embarrassed to have some lessons.

With regard to the OP I think you are in a difficult situation and if the money has been passed to you individually and not your husband then you should be able to make this decision. The fact that you are going to give the larger proportion to him is very kind.,, I personally think..

I hope it works itself out - money causes so many arguments!!
 
What about one of those small lorries (they look more like vans)? A woman on my yard has one for transporting her driving pony and loves it. Link here to the sort of thing I mean: http://www.aaahorsetransport.co.uk/AAA Van.jpg

I can't stand travelling my mare in a lorry or trailer and got myself so wound up when she went on loan that she wouldn't load for me! I went about 6 years without travelling her, it was only last year that I was forced to as she needed remedial shoeing at an equine hospital about an hour away. Unfortunately, the more we travelled with her, the more nervous I got, to the point of her refusing to load when she went on loan! It was entirely my fault, but I find travelling traumatic to say the least.
 
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