Trailer Test or 3.5t Horse Box? Can't decide - help!

E

equitum

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 August 2013
Messages
60
Visit site
Hi Everyone,

I currently have a Ifor Williams 511 for transport but have to rely on the OH to drive me places as I didn't take my test in time so would need to take the trailer test.

We have been going back and forth on what would be our best options for me to become more independent and allow me to go to competitions and lessons without him. I really can't decide....

I am not the most confident driver and have managed to kerb all the wheels on our 4x4 (much to the OH's disgust :eek:). This obviously has him worried about how I would cope with a trailer on the back and whether I could pass the test.

I know I am limiting myself to mostly travelling alone with a horse box (I have a 16.1 TB) but to be honest I don't think that this is such a major problem, my friends have trailers and boxes of their own anyway.
I am also thinking about the extra tax/mot/insurance associated with having a box.

So, what would you do? Advice from people with their own boxes and people who took the trailer test would be great to help me make up my mind.
 
equitum said:
Hi Everyone,

I currently have a Ifor Williams 511 for transport but have to rely on the OH to drive me places as I didn't take my test in time so would need to take the trailer test.

We have been going back and forth on what would be our best options for me to become more independent and allow me to go to competitions and lessons without him. I really can't decide....

I am not the most confident driver and have managed to kerb all the wheels on our 4x4 (much to the OH's disgust :eek:). This obviously has him worried about how I would cope with a trailer on the back and whether I could pass the test.

I know I am limiting myself to mostly travelling alone with a horse box (I have a 16.1 TB) but to be honest I don't think that this is such a major problem, my friends have trailers and boxes of their own anyway.
I am also thinking about the extra tax/mot/insurance associated with having a box.

So, what would you do? Advice from people with their own boxes and people who took the trailer test would be great to help me make up my mind.
Click to expand...
Firstly, you could drive if other half is with you -

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner


Secondly, with the right vehicle and trailer you can tow on a B licence with one horse - see post numbers 999 and 1000 of the TOWING CLINIC - link below in my signature


Thirdly, if you take up any of the options above, then the test becomes easier to do
The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

Well explained here]

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test. So you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.
DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS
 
Personally id go with 3.5T lorry. Best thing we ever did was sell 4x4 and trailer. It is so lovely to drive and horses travel amazingly in lorry! I had to rely on mum to tow me everywhere before we got the lorry. Manovuring is so much easier with lorry and it is all neat and tidy inside with tack locker (saddle and bridle hooks) wardrobe etc. Saves filling boot of car (i like to be organised)!!!!
As for price wise: MOT same as 4x4 price. Insurance and breakdown cover actually was cheaper for lorry than 4x4. You only need to service the lorry rather than 4x4 and trailer. Tax is only thing which is slightly more but nothing huge! I would definately choose lorry over trailer anyday now ive had both!
If you have any more question feel free to drop me a message! x
 
I've switched a trailer for a 3.5T horsebox and love it. I didn't take my trailer test but towed supervised by my boyfriend and as he always comes with me to shows it wasn't a problem.

I have shetlands so have spare room/weight to have a small living area with cooker and a side awning which is great to shade us and the ponies from sun or rain. I like the fact all my showing gear is stored in the lorry ready to go so I don't have to keep ferrying back and forth and so much more room to store stuff.

Mines an older model so took a little getting use to driving but insurance is cheaper than my car, tax is a little expensive but I get better mpg than I did towing with the 4x4.
 
Last edited:
I have a 3.5T VW and it's great! I take my 16hh ISH out happily on my own as it's really easy to drive. It also saves time as there no hitching up and I can leave my show kit and tack in the jockey box. My tack isn't covered by my insurance in my tack room as we don't have enough locks, but it's covered if it's locked in the lorry. Insurance isn’t too bad and a tank of diesel seems to last forever.

Best buy ever!
 
Only 1 drawback to having lorry over a 4x4 IMHO (if you keep towing vehicle at home & a lorry at yard) is you need to unload lorry into car when you get back from trips, before heading home.
Otherwise (for me) its a no-brainer = lorry every time :)
Positive reasons for me:
Less room to park up at home/yard than a 4x4 & trailer
Convenience of having everything under same roof if wet/horrid weather.
I can have a tiny road car (smart) & save lots on fuel/tax/insurance, which all go towards h/box instead.

Your choice tho - good luck :)
 
I was put through my B+E by work (Mil) a few years ago and it was surprisingly un stressful (is that even a word?!) stress free perhaps I should say, its brilliant now as I have an oldish landrover and 505 and we happily zip around. I'd love a 3.5 tonne but cant justify the £ for a 3rd vehicle (hubby works over an hour away so need our own cars) Having B+E gives you a good bit of freedom :)
 
The other thing to take into accout is that you might not need a 4x4 to tow with but just a simple car or estate but that depends on what sort of ground you will be towing on
 
Lorry for me everytime! I loathe trailers (known of too many accidents), plus lorries much easier to manoeuvre and I've never come across a horse that wouldn't/couldn't travel in a box. Known plenty though that do not like travelling in trailers.
 
Depends on how much money you have to spend. You have the 4x4 and trailer (and assuming BF meets the instructor criteria) you can get him to supervise you out towing on the road. You can practise getting the hang of reversing yourself, but for that I would suggest you go to a proper instructor.

When I did my trailer test, it was a no brainer. I had the trailer and 4x4; just needed the lessons and test. Reckon it cost me max of about £1k to get the license. I needed lots of reversing lessons, and failed the first test.

A 3.5t lorry is going to cost £8k+ for a decent one!
 
i went for the trailer option simply because of money- my bf already has a van with tow bar that is ok to tow trailer with one horse, so didn't need to buy or finance a 4x4. the trailer i got was an old rice which my friend helped me do up- replacing the floor, paint and a few other bits and bobs, grand total of £1000, its not the smartest but i know it has a solid floor and new tyres, so it's safe. i did practice with my bf and 2 days intense training before test, including test it cost me £650 for it, with 8-4 training for 2 days. so basically for less than £2000 i have a trailer and can go out on my own now :) i could never afford a 3.5 tonner, upkeep costs are fine, its the initial cost to buy, i would not want to buy a really old one which keeps breaking or has old, week floor.
if i had the money i would like one! but actually i also struggle with the weight limit if i took 2.
word of warning- my friend had a 3.5 t she got for about 3grand, she spent over 1grand in a year fixing most of the engine! also she later took it to be weighed and found she actually only had 700kg left! so has been over loading it all the time, as it was old and very heavy.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I decided to have a practice with the OH today with the trailer.

I must say reversing it was fine but I got so stressed out on the roads and that was without having the horse in it. Just felt like I had to constantly check the mirrors and despite having L plates on, people were driving like loonies all around me. I think if I was to go competing I would be a nervous wreck by the time I got there!

I think I'm going to start looking for a nice horse box :)

On that note - since there seems to be so many rogues building boxes these days, does anyone have any recommendations on manufacturers? Or ones I should look put for?

I did see a racemaster on ebay which looked nice but the man selling it said it had a payload of 1750kg, I didn't think you could get them over a 1300kg maximum? Please correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't that sound too good to be true? does anyone have a racemaster box on here?
 
I have a racemaster, built Aug 2012, payload as measured on weighbridge is 1280, that was with me & half a tank of fuel and a haynet in there (oh, and grooming kit & a half full 25 litre water drum on board)
Great workmanlike lorry, travelled several in it. If you want 'posh' its not for you, but they are solid useful little lorries :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top