Trailer vs lorry dilemma, any thoughts?

Marnie

Marnie

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I have been offered an Ifor Williams 510, very good condition, I know all the history, it has been regularly serviced etc. I've got a LWB Mitsubishi Pajero which will tow a trailer easily. At the moment, I have an old (1981) Mercedes 2 horse lorry which runs well locally but is not particularly enjoyable to drive longer distances and has no power steering. My 16.1 cob mare travels well in it. It is a walkthrough (i.e. can go from cab to horse without getting out), the horses travel forwards and it is high and spacious in the horse area. It has 'day' living (gas cooker, fridge) but these are a bit tatty all though usable I have never used them.
I know someone who may buy my lorry for the same amount or a bit more than the trailer is selling for. I am able to try the trailer to see if my mare travels ok.

So, I am in a real dilemma as to whether I should sell my lorry and go for the trailer (assuming that my mare will load, travel ok in it). Benefits of the trailer would be less cost (no MOT, tax, less insurance, maintenance etc). I don't need to take a test and have towed trailers before. Benefits of my lorry are that I know my mare will travel well.

Has anyone made a similar decision? What were the outcomes?

Sorry, this got a bit long!!
 
umm i dont know! are you planning on going long distances in the near future?? because maybe it would be worth it to get a trailer then! but try your mare out in it before if pos! but there are lots of ways of getting them in! xx
 
Personally I would go for a lorry anyday as it has somewhere to get changed in, have a cuppa whilst waiting for next class and you can put horsey on lorry when it's raining and waiting for next class.

Also prefer driving lorries as I know horsey is safe and secure and I don't have the added worry of jack knifing.

However from a financial position a 4x4 and trailer is cheaper, but you still have to insure it and service it.

If your only concern is loading your horse, then as said, there are ways, but if she is already doing fine in a lorry, I can't see that a trailer will upset her.
 
I have always had trailers, for the last 25 years. We bought our first lorry two months ago and absolutely love it. My new horse would only travel in a trailer without a partition so it meant i could never take two together anywhere. I knew he had always travelled in a lorry so we splashed out and havent looked back. Both boys are happier in the lorry and i like the fact they are within what i am driving not trailing along on the back!. I also have somewhere to change and sit for a cup of tea. Its much nicer for long days out.
I think it is a personal preference really, but obviously a trailer is cheaper. Make sure you travel your horse in a trailer before swapping.
 
From a purely financial situation I would and do have a trailer.

I dont really compete regularly now (used to) and would find the prospect of tax, insurance, plating etc too expensive for the occasional trip out.

So depends on the nature of the use, and of course if your mare will be happy in the trailer.

Good luck.... you could always try the trailer out and not sell the lorry, and if all is not well sell the trailer on again.
 
Just to sway the balance. I have had 2 lorries. Both were old and tatty but drove well. The second was lightweight and took out 2 horses with ease, had small day living and a though cab. We sold this and bought an ifor 510 and I would never go back.
Although the lorry was fab my horses travel brilliantly in the trailer. We have a tack pack so the car doesn't get clogged up and as our horses load well we can put them in the trailer between classes if needed.
I take tea and cofee with me so the option of living doesn't bother me. (we didn't use it anyway) and I really don't have a problem with getting changed in the trailer.
It was very expensive to up keep the lorries and as they were old they invairably needed something doing to them at plateing.
Our trailer sits on out drive where as with the lorry we would have had to pay to store it at the yard.
We use the trailer most weeks and I woule never go back to a lorry - far too much expense. We travel for up to 2 hours witht the trailer and even my youngster is happy.
 
Given the choice I would have a lorry anyday. Wish I could afford one
frown.gif

If you are planning on going further afield and really dont think your lorries up to it then try the trailer and if your mares fine then I would get the trailer.
I think you need to use a lorry regular to make it worthwhile so if its a local show once a month or so then I would also consider the trailer.
 
Weve just changed from a trailer to a lorry and whilst mum (who is the only one who can drive it) was dubious at first, i used some money i got from compensation to buy my first box. Weve taken it to one show so far and mum is selling the trailer and the 4x4 and is completely converted and refuses to tow a trailer anylonger.
We are now on the look out for a younger version of my box (as its 25 years old but realy realy lovely and very very cheap)
I take mine out once a week during show season (after uni exams) and mum used to use the trailer to shift furniture around between her businesses but now will use the box instead.
 
Having spent about three hours yesterday in the pouring raing sitting in my lorry, with both horses on board and enough room for the three of us to sit, have a cuppa, stretch our legs out, go to the loo, the conversation turned to whether we'd prefer a smarter car and trailer or our ancient (she was the oldest at the show AGAIN) tatty lorry with her mostly unfitted living. The lorry won!

Being mostly unfitted we are able to alter the configuration to take up to five horses or two horses, the pony and a carriage - pretty flexible - or if we are just taking the two horses we have loads of space for all the tack and can still have a decent space for us!

As we only use the lorry when taking horses out our day to day transport is a car that does over 50mpg - but won't tow - and as we do around 30,000 miles a year the saving on fuel is tremendous over a car that WOULD tow.
 
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