Trailer/Lorry recommendations needed please!

Nocturnal

Nocturnal

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I'm finally pulling my finger out and doing something about transport (frozen arenas and lack of riding do wonders...), but indecisiveness abounds! I originally planned to get a 3.5t box, but with all this snow I'm wondering if it might be a better idea to trade in my little city car and get a 4x4 and trailer.

But if I'm going to take a towing test, I might as well take a category c test instead and get a 7.5t lorry... or should I? :confused:

I have one 16.2h TB to transport. I doubt I'll ever have anything bigger than that, as I'm a shortarse, but I did find it a bit of a squeeze getting him into a 3.5t box. He did fit, though... but better if the partition was removed. He travels better with company, so this might be an issue?

Is there any point getting a 7.5t box for one horse? I can't honestly say that I'm always going to have just one, though...

Argh, all suggestions welcome! TIA.

P.S. I commute about 25 miles per day (mon-fri) so I'd have to do this in the 4x4 if I chose that option.
 
This does come up quite often

yes this weather everyone might be more likely to say get a 4x4 HOWEVER think how much that would cost in fuel EVERY single week

The parts for 4x4 are more expensive so is insurance etc etc

I only have one horse and a 7.5t lorry. would not go back to a trailer as I find it so so much better. no hitching up, somewhere to sit from the rain or sun. My horse is happier in the lorry

Overall I find the costs the same as when I had a 4x4 and trailer

I like my comforts!!
 
Hmm, thanks Soulfull. I think you're probably right, and I would prefer a lorry... I guess the question is, is it worth jumping through all the hoops to get a license for the 7.5t or should I just go for a little 3.5t?

I'd probably be going out quite often... once a week at least. A 3.5t would be easier to maneouver out of the yard, but once out a 7.5t would be more comfortable!

Has anyone had a 3.5t and a 7.5t? How do the costs compare (initial buying costs vs running/upkeep etc)?

Thanks :D
 
Ive had a trailer, 3.5 and 7.5t.

The trailer and 4x4 cost more overall to tax, insure, breakdown e.t.c.

The 3.5 t was only MOT'd at a local place rather than VOSA plate. So was cheaper and less stressful.

As far as maintenance, 3.5, 7.5 and 4x4 will all pretty much cost the same. The thing about a 7.5t is your local garage wont be able to do the work, so you'll need to go to a lorry garage. Older Cargos e.t.c are hard to get parts for.

The 7.5t was my favourite as it had creature comforts and was solid for my horse. Plus I could travel 2 big horses in the 7.5 where the 3.5 only could cope with 2 ponies.

Im having the same dilemma as I have a silly car that I love, but on snowy days the 4x4 would be useful!

You'll need to run a horsebox at least twice a week to stop it rotting and keep the battery full. I used mine twice a week and it chugged on forever. The 3.5 I didn't use at all one winter and needed a heap of welding doing to it.

Tough choice. Personally by choice I'd have a 7.5t, but I am condsidering a 4x4 and trailer as I'll use the 4x4 in winter. And I wont be going out that much, maybe once twice a month. An ally trailer wont rot if not used (just check brakes).
 
I have never run my 7.5 t twice a week and only recently had problems with it However that is more to do with the fact it is VERY old rather than not running it enough

I would worry with 3.5t that there are far far too many that would be over weight and probably more expensive for one that is legal weight wise but still you can't be sure, so many say they are legal and yet they aren't!! I know of a few that were so badly done they cost owner a fortune to put right

You are young so have your whole life to benefit from taking the test, do it while you can
 
I had this same dilema, opted for the lorry though over trailer and 4x4 (fuel costs would have been too high as travel too far on a daily basis) plus feel safer in a lorry, hate towing. I got a 6.5ton renault, small enough for just me to feel good about handling alone but big enough for my 2 boys, horse area gives space of a bigger lorry and also has the bonus of a small living :D fuel is quite economical and its very nimble
 
Personally i would go for a 3.5 tonne as it is MOT'd not plated with VOSA which can cost a fortune if something small such as a body mount goes on it and also you can drive it on a car licence and having taken my class 2 and trailer test they are rough. Also if you go for such lorry as an equi-trek sonic the have an amazing sell on rate and owning one i know they get everywhere in the snow. Also they are built on brand new cabs and chassis's so no worrying about what mileage the lorry has done beforehand. I got rid of my 7.5 tonne as it was costing me a fortune to run and wasn't emissions friendly so couldn't get round the outskirts of the city. Unless you are lucky to be able to buy new i would just warn you to be careful when buying a 7.5 tonne as i was stung badly when i found out what the empty weight and what the weight was when me my horse water, hay and feed was on board and i was overweight. my lorry was 6.8tonne empty leaving little for everything else. Sorry to rant just want to warn you of the things that happen if someone is desperate to get rid of a lorry.
 
Thanks for the feedback :)

After giving it some thought, I've opted for a 7.5t and to take my cat c license - I'll have to do it at some point, or be stuck with a 3.5t lorry I can only transport one horse on forever! (Or try and persuade my VERY unhorsey mum to drive me to shows in a big lorry... :rolleyes:) May as well bite the bullet and all that...

x
 
Just to add my bit!

I'm making this decision too at the moment, and aside from the disadvantages over the weight etc of a 3.5, having looked at the costs of buying a box, I think the initial cost for a 7.5 including the test will still be cheaper than getting a 3.5 of similar standard!

I *think* once you've done your c test you can upgrade it quite easily to a C + E which would allow you too tow as well, should you want to in the future!
 
Sarah2207 said:
Just to add my bit!

I'm making this decision too at the moment, and aside from the disadvantages over the weight etc of a 3.5, having looked at the costs of buying a box, I think the initial cost for a 7.5 including the test will still be cheaper than getting a 3.5 of similar standard! This is the conclusion I have come to as well :)

I *think* once you've done your c test you can upgrade it quite easily to a C + E which would allow you too tow as well, should you want to in the future!
Click to expand...

I didn't realise that - handy to know, thanks!
 
I've just taken my c1 license as i'm fed up of not being able to drive anything but a van!
Took it in a 4.5 tonne van and passed first time. It was like driving a big car! Made the reversing manouvere easy.

We are selling the trailer and getting a 7.5/6.5, mum cannot wait!!
I was going to do the trailer test but we decided I would be better with the lorry as I'm hopeless at reversing! Also, will feel safer driving the box and need a big lorry as have two heavies.
The test and four day course cost £750 altogether, the c (big hgv) license would have been over a grand and I really don't think i'd ever get anything that big.
Now just for the continuation of the four month lorry hunt.........!
 
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