Small Horsebox vs Trailer + Car

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123o123

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Currently debating which would make sense for me in the long term as I dont currently have a trailer licence, what do people think would be best for a 22 yr old with a clean licence for the past 3 years.

Trailer
- The cost of running e.g. a mitsubishi shogun vs Citreon C1 but would it outweigh the cost of a horsebox
- How much would it cost to pass trailer test + lessons
Horsebox
- How much would it cost to insure and mot/tax yearly for someone who passed after 97 and is over 21
- What licence would i need for either 3.5t or anything under 7.5t.
- Petrol wise how good do small horseboxes do?
 
Went through this a few years ago. Sat down and worked out what each would cost me.

Truck on its own, far cheaper than buying a good towing vehicle and good sound trailer.

I found my little truck, carries 2 big horses, mines a Clydesdale and I have a small Honda City car to run around in. The car is a hatch back and can carry quite a bit with back seats down.

Truck is registered as a camper van, mobile home as more than 50% can be used as accommodation.

Best investment I've ever made, truck is diesel
.
 
I also looked into this and bought a Renault 3.5t truck as the cost of driving a 4x4 everyday just didnt make sense so I kept my little fiesta, best thing we did its a lovely little lorry old but sound, As you are quite young I would get some insurance quotes first as I am double your age almost and it makes a huge difference, our lorry insurance is just over £300 including breakdown cover for the year, thats with 4 counties, I think as long as your over 17 I think you can drive a 3.5 t on your licence but I could be wrong, someone else will be along and confirm that for you.
 
Glad to see others did as I did, far more sensible to drive an economical runabout than a gas guzzler.

So many have told me I'm crazy, that a horse box is expensive to run. It has accommodation, space, comfort for both horse and me and costs me far less to run than a towing vehicle.
 
You can drive a 3.5t lorry on your standard car license, be careful with the weights though, most 3.5t will not take 2 decent size horses without being overweight once you factor in tack, passengers and weight of fuel.

Since you passed your test after 1997 you cannot drive anything over 3.5t without taking a further test, I think it's category C or C1? Someone else will be able to confirm that.

It is possible to tow a trailer without taking the trailer test, but only useful if you were only towing 1 horse really. Your loaded trailer must not exceed the weight of your towing vehicle, and the whole lot (car, trailer and load) must not exceed 3.5t.

Some of the newer van style 3.5t boxes are very economical on fuel, about the equivalent of a powerful family car.

Hope this helps
 
Last edited:
123o123 said:
Currently debating which would make sense for me in the long term as I dont currently have a trailer licence, what do people think would be best for a 22 yr old with a clean licence for the past 3 years.

Trailer
- How much would it cost to pass trailer test + lessons
Horsebox
- What licence would i need for either 3.5t or anything under 7.5t.
Click to expand...
How many horses do you need to transport?

Do you need a vehicle that can cope with all types of terrain or will it be just used on hard ground?

Trailer lessons and test cost is likely to be between £450 to £700 - see post numbers 999 and 1000 in TOWING CLINIC link below in my signature

To be able to drive any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes up to 7.5 tonnes the total cost is likely to be about £1,200 - see LGV CLINIC in my signature below
 
I sold my 7.5 tonne last year and got a trailer and an L200 to tow with. Just sold both and bought a little 6.5 tonne lorry. I hated having a trailer and the cost of everyday driving in the L200 was ridiculous. We still have a little 4x4 for getting to horses in the snow etc. But replaced the L200 with a Fiat Punto and tax, insurance and petrol now are so cheap :) Plus my insurance company let me keep my no claims on the lorry so it's only £7 more a month to insure than the trailer was.
 
If you only need to travel one horse on a B only licence and will be only towing on hard surfaces then hows this for an idea


Get a car like a Ford Mondeo and a lightweight trailer like a HB401/403

Mondeo GVW = 2200 kgs with a towing capacity of 1800 kgs

HB401/403 = MAM 1600 kgs but can be down plated to 1300 by contacting manufacture

Empty trailer weight = 770 kgs
Horse = 500 kgs
Total = 1270 kgs so within 1300 MAM

GVW 2200 + MAM 1300 = 3500 which is legal for a B licence driver

You now have the economical car and a trailer for the horse

If in the future you want to tow 2 horses with a larger set up then you have time to save up for the towing test and will have loads of time to get in towing/reversing practice which in turn will reduce the amount of time/cost for the towing lessons

That could mean you could do the towing test training and test in one day with the morning and lunchtime for getting used to the test set up and the afternoon for the test
 
My Renault Master costs me £274 a year for insurance and breakdown for any driver over 25. Tax £240 a year mot and servicing are about the same as my car. Fuel wise it costs around 30p a mile.

As others have said this worked out the cheaper option for me buut it does just depend on your horses height and also weight wise if you are carryng one or two
 
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