Lorry options for 17.2 horse

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sarahp

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Hello all,

I am after some advice about buying a lorry. I have a post-1997 licence so can only drive up to 3.5 tonnes, although the husband has a pre-1997 licence so is ok for up to 7.5 tonnes.

We have two 17.2 horses and I am wondering what my options are. Is there anything that would come in at under 3.5 tonnes that would take the pair of them? Or do we really need to look at something bigger?

I would also be very grateful for advice about what people's running costs are for a lorry - have only ever hired transport and no one on my yard runs a lorry, so not sure what I am letting myself in for!

Thanks very much,

Sarah
 
I believe with 2x 17.2hhs you would deffo be over weight in a 3.5 tonne once all the kit is included, if hubby is happy to drive you about id go for a 7.5 tonne. We have 1 17.3hh and a 16.3hh and we would deffo be overweight in a 3.5 tonne. Sorry i cant help on the running costs as i just steals my mums lorry when i fancy a trip out!! Im sure someone else will come along shortly and help you out with that bit, all i know is it just cost my mum £600 to put it through an MOT and it passed first time! :) happy lorry hunting!!
 
I don't think here is any way on earth you could have a 3.5t and be legal with size of horses you've got even if they drive themselves! I've got 15.2 fine tb and a hulking 16.2 ISH and wouldn't go near a 3.5t.

You could however easily tow with a trailer which would be cheaper.

FWIW, my 7.5t costs £280 to insure fully comp plus breakdown etc. which brings it to £400; service & plating is around £500 and it's quite economical on diesel. I have it insured for £7,500 as it's old as am I! Road tax is £165 p.a.
 
sarahp said:
Hello all,

I am after some advice about buying a lorry. I have a post-1997 licence so can only drive up to 3.5 tonnes, although the husband has a pre-1997 licence so is ok for up to 7.5 tonnes.

We have two 17.2 horses and I am wondering what my options are. Is there anything that would come in at under 3.5 tonnes that would take the pair of them? Or do we really need to look at something bigger?
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As others will say - 3.5 way too small weight wise for two

you will need something like a 5/6 tonne van type or 7.5 tonne lorry type for those two

You might need to tale your LGV C1 or C (covers C1) to be able to drive it yourself

Bad news is that under the April 2010 rules other half cannot be your supervisor with L plates on because only those who pass a DSA test covering the category you wish to learn in can supervise - this applies to any category which has a C or D in it so that does not include B+E

See LGV INFO CLINIC link below
 
Thanks very much all for the info - I think I might look at taking my towing test and getting a trailer instead. Thanks also for the financial info - now much better informed!
 
We have 1 17.1hh TB who is pretty short coupled (6'3 rugs) and I don't think we could get him in a 3.5 tonne lorry solo, let alone with anything else... He looks squished enough in the 7.5 tonne!

For a lorry license, it cost my sister about £1k in total to do a 3 day course and the test.
 
If you already run a big 4x4 the trailer test might be the way to go.
But if you need to buy a 4x4 and run a economical car and do a lot of non towing miles that you will to use the 4x4 for its no so clear cut a lorry could work out best .if you go for a 7.5 ton make sure you check it's weight some would struggle with two large horse to be under the weight limit.
 
sarahp said:
Thanks very much all for the info - I think I might look at taking my towing test and getting a trailer instead. Thanks also for the financial info - now much better informed!
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post numbers 999 and 1000 of the TOWING CLINIC link below give more info on the B+E training and test
 
Goldenstar said:
If you already run a big 4x4 the trailer test might be the way to go.
But if you need to buy a 4x4 and run a economical car and do a lot of non towing miles that you will to use the 4x4 for its no so clear cut a lorry could work out best .if you go for a 7.5 ton make sure you check it's weight some would struggle with two large horse to be under the weight limit.
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As this. A 4x4 that is going to be capable of towing what you want to tow is going to cost - unless you already have one.

Personally, if I was in your position, I'd rather spend the money and take my lorry test (whatever that is called these days) to enable you to buy a 7.5T lorry. I am not a trailer fan anyway as I know of people who have had too many incidents/accidents so I do not like them. Plus I had a pony previously who could not travel in trailers so we bought a wagon. I think if you are planning on doing fairly regular comps and travelling any distance, a lorry is soo much better. I think they feel more stable, horses generally travel a lot better I them, and you have somewhere nice and warm to shelter in the wonderful British weather if at a comp! :)
 
ladyt25 said:
As this. A 4x4 that is going to be capable of towing what you want to tow is going to cost - unless you already have one.

Personally, if I was in your position, I'd rather spend the money and take my lorry test (whatever that is called these days) to enable you to buy a 7.5T lorry. I am not a trailer fan anyway as I know of people who have had too many incidents/accidents so I do not like them. Plus I had a pony previously who could not travel in trailers so we bought a wagon. I think if you are planning on doing fairly regular comps and travelling any distance, a lorry is soo much better. I think they feel more stable, horses generally travel a lot better I them, and you have somewhere nice and warm to shelter in the wonderful British weather if at a comp! :)
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I love your signature, I am definitely wine (or sloe gin)!

It is sort of a cumulative thing as we are currently a one car couple and are thinking about buying a Discovery (or similar) anyway so have the option of either a trailer or a lorry. I am slightly wary of trailers, completely irrationally, and the ponies have only ever travelled in lorries so might be inclined to think about that. I could always look at lorries, make the husband drive it, and then once I have paid for the lorry take a lorry test!
 
I think you may have to watch your weights even with a 7.5t box. A lot of them don't have as much pay load as you would think (especially older ones or ones with good living) and with two big horses you might have to be aware of how much pay load you have with any given lorry. Obviously you will be fine with the right one, just thought it was worth a mention :)

As others have said, if you already run a 4x4 a trailer would be cheaper!
 
That is a good point. I can't recall what ours is unladen, 5T something I believe (maybe 5.5T) but ours definitely only carries 2 horses (you could squeeze 3 ponies in) and has a decent sized living. I have seen bigger wagons though that are longer/larger than ours yet still claim to be 7.5T and I am pretty sure their unladen weight would be much closer to 7T!

I would be too worried towing a trailer along a motorway to be honest. I see some flying along and it concerns me especially having a sister who has experienced what happens if it does go wrong.
 
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