Sooo confused! What would you do?

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mystiandsunny

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No idea what to do now, had the whole 'buy a box' thing all sorted and now everything's changed.

So, OH recently had an accident (people seem to be driving like idiots at the moment) where someone hit the brake rather than the accelerator - on the motorway! We think it's likely his car will be written off as it's quite old. My parents have also said we can keep what they gave me for my old car so we've more money than we thought - but no car!

We want horse transport asap, need at least one car, and OH would like a motorbike to get to/from work as fuel costs are so high at the moment (I cycle already to mine). Total budget will be about £7500. He can pick up a bike for £1500 so we then have £5800 for the rest.

Question is - do we buy a box and a very cheap small car (for me to get to work if it's icy), or get a better 4x4 and a trailer? We were originally going to use our savings + a loan to get a renault master horsebox (£7500 from 3 counties horseboxes), and still could do that, but now with a much smaller loan. Or we could borrow nothing and get the car and trailer.

What to do? Would a decent trailer just get stolen? Do very cheap (about £500-£1000) cars run ok if OH is good at maintenance? It would only be used for about a week or two a year!
 
I'm not sure but my guess would be, on that budget, get the bike, an old but low mileage 4x4 and a trailer. You won't get a bike, a box and a car that go for that money, and if you hardly use the car it might as well be a 4x4.
 
you can pick up a decent ifor trailer 2nd hand for between £2500/£2800 (dont no prices on new ones). as for the 4x4 depends on year, milage and make, so hold value more than others.
 
Where are you .Oh has a friend who is a dealer and hes always offering 2nd hand older 4x4 if your close he sells much cheaper than forecourt .I will enquire if you are interested .
 
We're in Bucks.

Thanks for the help everyone, will go for a trailer and a 4x4 if OH's car is definitely written off. Looking around we could get an ifor williams 510 for about £2600 so would have a reasonable amount for a car.

Anyone know how you stop trailers being stolen?
 
I once read that trailers are more likely to be stolen from a yard than from home. This seems to be the case where I live as some of the yards have been targetted - easy pickings I suppose. I keep mine at home and have had no problem. I know some people who keep their trailers at home and park a car in front of them overnight making it impossible to move the trailer. I always use a hitch lock but I know this is just a deterrant, if they want to pinch your trailer they'll manage to get it.
I also opted not to have an Ifor Williams as these seem the most pinchable and are stolen to order. I have an old Bahill which is in good condition and well maintained but is not popular and there aren't many around so would be more easily recognised if stolen.
When I replace my old Bahill I will try and get something else distinctive.
I actually like Ifor Williams but I know someone who had one stolen (from her livery yard) and then about a year later her replacement was stolen! I know a few others who after having their IW's stolen now pay to keep their trailers in a secure compound where people keep their caravans.
Good luck in whatever you decide, hope you get it all sorted out soon.
smile.gif
 
Re locks, if you put a lock on the wheel make sure it goes on
the back wheel. If they hitch the trailer up to nick they can tow on just back wheels. So if lock was on front they lift the front wheels clear of the road tow trailer away on back wheels then remove lock away from the yard. Hope that makes sense!!
 
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