Problem - Horsebox/trailer (long)

[emilyw]

Evening all,

Will try keep this as simple as poss...

8 months ago hubby and I brought a 4x4 and trailer...is not a 4x4 designed for much work and when we brought them both it was simply for emergencies and the odd vet trip...anyway, since then have started showing youngster and the older horse is managing his Navicular and competing most weekends. Therefore 4x4 is close to death as cant cope with the work we want (it is always safe and legal mind you).

We cant afford to do anything until October but need to start planning now...we need to decide whether to buy a decent beefy 4x4 and keep the trailer or to flog the 4x4 we have now and the trailer and buy a run around car and a 3.5t lorry.

We do about 1000 miles a month so economy wise a 4x4 wont be good as we are looking at things like Navara or L200. Lorrywise would need to be careful on payload as will at times want to take both boys together, one only yearling at mo but when full grown will have two weighing approx 1100kg between them plus all stuff etc.

OH is a mechanic and we are not at all blind/silly about laws, weights etc etc....basically my question is what would you do - 4x4 or small box.

Other pro's for box is that I could drive it (OH has trailer test done but I dont) meaning I can be more independant and OH can get on with his own thing...we are doing more long distance stuff with yearling - all his comps are at least good 2 hours away.

Pros for 4x4 is that OH and Dad did my trailer up and spent hours doing it, I love the trailer and would hate to part with it (have suggested keeping it if we got lorry but OH said would have to go as money would be needed plus we would have nothing to tow it with!).

To add further complications and to the seriousness we dont have any money (only what we would get for trailer and 4x4) so we would have to go down the route of finance/loan. At present we only have our mortgage so no worries about debt as such we just need to do lots of research to make sure we do the right thing.

So ideas please people?!

(Sorry for the length of this and I hope I have got everything clear as was trying to keep it as short as poss!!)

ETS: We would be looking (in theory) at 6-10k depending on lots of things!!

 

[Cliqmo]

I would say a run around and a lorry as the difference in costs between these two options is negligible, but this option would mean you have some independence

 

[0ldmare]

I'm not sure there is a right or wrong answer, but if it was me I would get a better 4x4 and take your trailer test.

My reason is that although a small car would be much more economical to run, you need to add in the lorry costs of servicing, insurance, tax and MOT (or plating) plus the poor MPG for a lorry.

You are going to be spending much more money on-going with a lorry and small car compared with just getting a newer 4x4

 

[LCobby]

A better 4x4 and take your trailer test. Just look in this week's H&H for the artivcles on lorries.
None of the 3.5 tonne ones could take 1,100 kilos of horses plus your tack, passenger , kit and essentials for a show.If a lorry and small runabout car would suit better, you would need to take your lorry test and get a 5 to 7.5 tonne lorry

Sure as your OH is a mechinc, you could find a good older 4x4 built for the job ( and on pre 2001 road tax band) and do it up.

 

[Baileyhoss]

ditto the others on a 4x4 & your test.

Also, an observation -

The L200's have a turning circle of a small ocean liner makes reversing very difficult. I would recommend a navara over the L200 and I would recommend a kia sorento over a navara.

You can get an 04 kia for £6k.

 

[beechwoodbutch]

To share my experience,
I started with a 4x4 and a trailer then moved onto a lorry. Lorry was great untill something needed doing, parts and tyres were expensive and we are not mechanically minded so needed to take to a garage every time. I decided to go back to a 4x4 and a trailer, have now got a L200 and an equitrek and I wouldn't change them for anything, comfort when driving and the equitrek is brill for towing even with a 16.3 and 15.1 as passengers. (I do have a mini for running around in though as trying to park an L200 in town is a struggle)