Trailer or Lorry?

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wedgenib

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Hi again guys!

I'm sorry to put up yet another thread asking for advice relating to pros and cons of lorries and trailers but I wanted some opinions based on my own personal circumstances.

Basically, I've been looking at buying my own transport for a while now and saved up enough money to buy a neat little 3.5T van, but due to personal things my budget is now much lower (around £2500) and I don't drive. I have noticed when looking that there are some nice, but older 3.5-7.5 ton lorries around that are cheaper than 3.5T ones and have much better payloads.

I have the help of four people: my grandpa and grandma, and my mum and dad who have said they will transport me and my pony now that I don't drive which I hugely appreciate. But I cannot work out which seems the better option!

Lorry:
Pros - all four of the above people can drive it, and have said they are more than willing to which means I don't have to rely on one person to take us out all the time 😵
- living area means I can get dry/changed etc when needed rather than squatting in the back of a trailer
- if I do manage to get a cheaper 3.5T lorry, when I decide that I want to drive I will be able to drive it on a standard licence
- I don't have a car to run so I'm not running two vehicles

Cons - those within my budget are older models, so it may be likely to need lots of money spending on it to keep it road worthy and running!
- because I've never had my own transport I'm not sure of the mileage we will do and I know if it's a small amount it's not good to have a lorry stood for long periods
- if it's a 3.5T lorry that I get, I know the payloads in some are very low

Trailer:
Pros - no tax, insurance or MOT costs, only servicing (although not sure how this compares to the cost of a lorry MOT)
- can be stood for much longer
- can afford a newer (although not brand new) trailer than lorry in my budget
- my grampas 4x4 will have no problems with weight capacities so I'd be able to take a second horse easily within the limit
- if we were going to an all day event, my grampa could unhitch the trailer and leave it there until later so no one has to wait around for us to finish

Cons - out of my grandparents and parents, only two of them would be willing to pull a trailer, and only one of those has a capable vehicle which means I'd have to rely on my grandpa solely to pull it!
- my grandpa goes to work as a HGV driver early Sunday afternoon for two weekends a month, and that's when most things I'd like to go to are
- when I decide to start driving, I'll have to do another test to use my trailer
- and again when I do drive, I'll have to either use a 4x4 as my full time car - which would be very expensive, or fund a second smaller vehicle

I know it's a lot to think about, and I'm not rushing into anything. At the moment I know I'm leaning towards a lorry and that's only because I don't want to put my grandpa out too much by making him feel like he has to take me everywhere because no one else can.. but at the same time I really don't want to end up buying a nice little box, for it to then cost me 1000's down the line when it needs replating! What are everyone's experiences with both and what would you recommend? If I've forgotten any points from either please do tell me too!
 
In your position, I would wait and save up for longer as which ever way you go, it will cost you much more to mantis, insure and so on.
As you have a willing driver or four, I would hire if you want to go somewhere important, and just save, save, save in the meantime.
 
I wouldn't try and buy a lorry for £2.5k, I just think the box you're likely to get is going to be past it's best and could be a money pit.

When I serviced my ifor Williams trailer earlier this year it was £120 and just needed a new bulb. My 7.5t cost £2.5k for service and Plate and didn't have anything particularly wrong with it! Six weeks after passing the water pump failed and cost another £1.5k. This was a £10k box and tidy, just one of the things.

I would either save up more or go trailer, if you buy carefully and look after it then it will hold its value should you need to sell it once you've past your test/made a decision on car etc
 
I have had both a trailer and lorry so I would say lorry every time. However I agree with others. Try and save up a bit more money and make sure you get a pre purchase inspection done.

I bought my lorry for £4.5 k and it's a nice solid 7.5 tonner that just needs a paint job to make it look a bit smarter.
 
To go for a horsebox over 3.5 tonnes the OP would need to pass both B and LGV C (or C1) tests so perhaps the suggestions for one over 3.5 tonnes are going to be a no no
 
I have had both and have gone back to a trailer. I did not use my lorry as much as I should, twice a month or so. I could not justify the running cost for the amount of times I used it. It was a 5 tonne lorry so needed plating each year. The brakes alone cost me £850. I did love it and it was very easy to drive. But I already owned a defender so a trailer for me was a no brainer. I bought an ifor 511 with a tack locker and I am really pleased with it. I have a lot of space inside to get changed etc. If I used my lorry more or travelled on the motorways I would of kept it.
 
In your situation I think youre better off with a trailer. Do you travel long distances to really merit having a lorry ?

We have just sold our trailer and bought a very bottom of the range lorry, but this was only because we are venturing further afield now. We bought the lorry cheap but knew it needed work and already we have forked out to have to roof re-sealed and a replacement floor is next. There are other bits need doing so soon we will have paid about £5k for the purchase and the repairs. We knew the lorry is a safe bet and was worthy of the expense though. However we are now paying tax and insurance, and outings do cost more in fuel. We had the trailer for years, and it served us well, we just 'outgrew' it. I do think youre better with a trailer, then in a few years consider a lorry.
 
Ive had both, sold my 7.5t as it was just too big for one horse, so I got a 3.5t, sold that as I had a riding accident and was giving up horses only to get another a few months later and took what I thought was the sensible option and bought a trailer. Realised very soon after that Id made a mistake as the thought of towing filled me with dread, daft as I did it years ago, so have just sold that and Im going back to a 7.5t.
I certainly dont warrant a lorry but I feel safer, happier driving it and am going to buy a nice compact one this time.
We have weighed up the pro's and cons and for me, providing the lorry isnt a money pit, then the running costs arent much different with the added expense of running a 4 x 4.
I do think like others have said that you would be better to try and save a bit more money as you may be buying yourself a lot of trouble if you decide to go for a very old lorry
 
I wanted a lorry, but even with a slightly bigger budget than yours I couldn't find anything that I'd want to put my horse in. You also have to be really picky on the 3.5t lorries - check the payload, and the build because some of them are shocking.

Equitrek Space Trekas give you a separate changing area, which is useful, and are lovely trailers to tow - they feel really stable. There are also a fair amount of them available second hand. Servicing a trailer is way less expensive then a lorry, and if you're using a car that you use day to day, you've got more chance of it starting when you want to go somewhere...
 
I am pro box so my adding would be

I would add - box



your own toilet maybe
some travel better in lorry
you can leave your show stuff/grooming things in the box full time so on the day it is already in their as much more storage
somewhere to brew a coffee without queuing up
more stable on the road
your passengers can hear and talk to the horse if it gets stressed
The vision is wondrous: no more man-handling trailers or lining up the pesky hitch with the towing vehicle, and let’s not forget that backing a truck will be easier than a horse trailer.

trailer:

no where to store anything
risk of snaking on the roads in winds
harder to back up
stolen more frequently

in your position I would in the meantime hire small horse boxes to shows so you get used to them so when the time comes for your own you will have more experience and knowing to buy one that fits you.

the you save save save :)
 
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Budget is too tight for a decent lorry, but will buy a good trailer. At £3.5k you might get lucky (with luck), even £5k may bring problems, at £8k you can find a good solid plain jane.

if you haven't got a driving test yet, why not see how much going straight to a C1 will cost? May not be that much more than car lessons, then you can go straight into a nice wagon. Forget 3.5T, 7.5T is much better value.

Hiring is a royal pain unless you have a hirer on yr doorstep. Why not try shamelessely smooching anyone who has a lorry and might be willing to give you lifts?
 
Hi guys, after much deliberation I think I had decided to go with a trailer. I think my hopes had become too high when I saw a lovely 7.5T lorry (it was as compact as a 3.5T but had a lovely refurbished living area and horse area, but VERY old). But then I realised that no matter how well vehicles of that age are looked after (and this one was!) that the chances of it costing much more money down the line are too risky to play with!

Tiddlypom said:
OP, how old are you?
Click to expand...

I am 22 Tiddlypom, and do actually have a driving licence in all honesty. I was involved in a particularly nasty RTC, though recently and to tell you honestly - it's knocked me for six driving normally, nevermind with my pride and joy in the back :(. That's why my family are being so supportive with helping me.

Thank you so much for all your replies everyone! I hopefully start a new job soon, with a higher wage than what I've been used to so I'll use some of my current savings for a nice trailer and save save save in the meantime. It shouldn't be too long before I'll have a much better budget - I'm a madman(woman) with saving when I want something :') !
 
Skoda Octavia 4x4 with a nice down plated lightweight trailer for B licence towing = sorted !! - ok, but you can dream.....
 
Well, thought I might let you know as you all so kindly advised me... I bought an older model bateson deauville. I like the look of IW more but the ramp being on the passenger side in case of emergency unloading won me over.
It needs a new floor to be horse-safe (I'm going to go to bateson direct for a proper one) and a couple of minor bits and bobs here and there to look almost new! It was well within my budget and I've therefore got plenty left to get it how I want it :). I'm pretty sure when or if it comes to selling I'll get at least back what I've spent anyway so thanks everyone for your smart words! It's definitely appreciated :)
 
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