Lorry or trailer for large horse?

[CrazyDog]

Let's say I have a 17hh horse and need transport. What are the pros and cons of lorries vs trailers and what would suit? Can anyone untangle the mystery of licensing for both vehicle and driver for me?

I've not had my own transport before but have been driving for over 15 years. I would plan to use the lorry/trailer a few times a month and would travel up to 4 hours to a competition.

 

[Happytohack]

You would need a large trailer (Ifor 510 or similar) to tow a large horse and would need something substantial to tow it with (4x4). If you reckon on a large trailer weighing 1100-1200kg plus the weight of a large horse - you would need something that is capable of towing at least 2 tonnes. Check the manufacturers towing weights very carefully. If you are travelling a large horse for up to 4 hours at a time, you would probably be much better off with a lorry. As you have been driving for 15 years, your licence should cover you to drive a lorry of up to 7.5 tonnes (gross weight) non-HGV. There are plenty about that will easily accomodate a large horse - you would need headroom of minimum 7ft6in and plenty of width if the horse is to travel herringbone. Make sure you check the unladen weight. Many boxes that are advertised as non HGV and 4-horse, would certainly be over the legal weight if 4 horses were to travel in them together. If you go for an oldie, such as a Bedford, you can get a bargain but be warned - parts are scarce. It all depends what your budget is. We are in the process of having a lorry built for our big horses - We are having a box put onto a DAF chassis, the box will then be fitted out to our specification so the horses have loads of room, We only want a basic day living area (cooker, fridge, seats, table etc.) as we want a larger area for the horses. The cost of this is £18,000. Although I do have a 4x4, I feel my horses are just too big to travel comfortably in a trailer and feel much happier with a lorry. There is an excellent article in this week's H&H explaining all the recent legislation - basically if you are just using your lorry for private use, you will be fine.

 

[CrazyDog]

Thank you! I will have to check on my driver's licence as I'm on an international licence now and will have to sit my test sometime in the next 10 months...

I have just picked up the new H&H and will study the article tonight.

Would you mind PM'ing me with the name of your lorry builder? Many I see are much more expensive than yours and I'd be looking for minimal living so as to leave lots of room for horses and keep the lorry as small as possible.