Transport options for those who passed test after 1 January 1997

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hatters

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Well my horse is having the winter off, but in the spring I would like to get him out and about locally - but will need some transport.

I passed my test after 1 January 1997, so that means I either need to take a trailer test or get a small lorry.
Has anyone taken the trailer test without having any formal lessons? I took my driving test this way, with the help of my dad - is it possible?

The lorry option I am less keen on, only as a 3.5 tonne only carries one horse anyway, so no option of taking a friend along, and I can't afford to spend alot on a lorry, although my dad is a mechanic - so he can help with repairs, MOT etc.

What option did you go for, and if towing what car do you use?
 
I did my trailer test in Feb. There is no way you can get away without any professional instruction, sorry. Even if you are used to say, a tractor and trailer, you still need to do the reversing and get used to the town where you will be doing the test. It will probably work out cheaper in the long run as well - small lorries seem to be costing a fortune these days.

I have a Ford Ranger for towing, and its excellent.
 
I passed my trailer test yesterday. Echo Wench above - would strongly advise professional instruction as they know the exact layout of the test and what needs to be done etc. i have been towing trailers for ages as come from farming background, but still would not have managed test without instruction.

i did a 3 day training course with the test on the 3rd day and it cost me £445 including the £115 for the test. I feel it was money well spent.

I tow with an Isuzu pickup - farm vehicle, all thats available. i would have thought that a lorry would be much dearer to keep/run.
 
I haven't done my towing test but was going to and would have done it through a professional instructor. However I now have a nice 3.5t lorry which I love to bits, and feel a LOT safer in.
 
Thanks for your replies, I'm thinking of maybe getting some basic lessons from my dad, then do an intensive course and test. Can anyone recommend places in Nottingham area?

Trailer seems the cheapest option, its just finding a suitable towing vehicle which isn't going to guzzle too much fuel (current petrol car only does around 36mpg, so not really used to an economical car anyway!). I drove my aunts Kia Sorento which I quite liked, and have always wanted a Land Rover Defender (although uncomfortable?).
 
i decided to opt for the 4x4 & trailer as we need a 4x4 for yard/field work.
i had 1 leson with a professional before taking my test. Mainly this was for the reversing part of the test, and I passed first time.
 
I guess I could always downgrade my current car to something with £35 a year tax, and very economical. Then buy a small lorry?

How much does your small lorry cost to keep?
 
My lorry costs me £185 tax, haven't had it MOT'd yet so no idea on that, insurance is about £500 a year... It's expensive but I won't use trailers so it's the only way forward for me.
 
i have a very ecconomical car- agyo- does 65mpg, £35 road tax, insurance is £120, service £120 (although its due its 2 year service next year which is more expensive!)
and a 3.5t box- MOT £55, Tax £180, insurance fully comp with breakdown £300, service £120

i did look at getting a trailer- but i would have the costs of taking the test, buying the trailer, buying the car and insuring and running it, plus i dont like trailering them on the motorway.....
as i do a fair few miles in my day to day car i didnt want a gas guzzler!
plus i think i would be useless at pulling a trailer down a narrow lane or backing it up!!!
 
Ive got a land rover defender (57 plate) and its very comfortable - all the added extras. i bought a very economical car (toyota IQ which does 65mpg, £0 road tax, class 1 insurance) for running about in so i dont use the defender.
 
I think you should look at the small lorry option very had before getting one as if you cant drive a trailer with the license you have I think you will find a 3 ton lorry will be over the limit once you put horse in & your tack etc.
 
you could do trailer test without training BUT those I know have not passed first time. You need someone to lay out exactly what they are looking for you to do and say as some of it is a little daft really! Though happy to give you a list (I did mine a couple of months back)

the other thing is the reverse. Most instructors will have an exact layout you can practice and practice and practice with correct for the length of the vehilce/trailer combination.
 
I am just about to collect a 3.5t lorry.

You do have to be careful about the weight, but they are available with a payload of up to 1300kgs so dependent on size and type it can be possible to carry 2 reasonable sized nags. The Movano/Master ones have a much better payload than the Transits on the whole (I have seen Transits that weigh over 2.5t empty!).

Trailer test wasn't really a good option for me at the moment, as I am provided with a car by work (but no good for towing), so I would have had to buy a 4x4 purely for horse purposes. Horsebox has cheaper tax than work car and definitely less than 4x4, and is probably going to be better on diesel too.
 
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