Transport: small lorry -v- trailor & towing vehicle

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm wondering if people can advise me, my head is totally done in and I can't think straight!

I need to get me & my horse mobile:

Options: (1) get a small lorry/van; probably one of the nice nippy little models. Advantages - easy to drive, less hassle hitching up & going, drives like a car etc etc. Disadvantages - cost (!!), safety concerns recently publicised with these smaller van-type transporters, plus worries re. reliability etc as have heard negative reports of e.g. Luton type van bases having to carry horses which they weren't designed for and engine packs up. But provided price/safety is right this is my preferred option.

(2) get a one-horse trailer (don't need a double one) and towing vehicle. Advantage: can change-out towing vehicle and/or trailer as needs be. Disadvantage: have to make decision, and herein is the problem, because although I'd favour a smaller 4X4 (don't know what tho'!), I need something which my 90 year old mum can get into and the average 4X4 is going to be too high for her to get in. Also I'm unused to towing, not done it for years, and rather apprehensive, also the whole malarky of hitching up, having to reverse etc; also horse has in the past been better loading in a lorry/van than a trailer.

Sooooo, can anyone recommend a car/towing vehicle which would tow a single trailer? Would a Volvo Estate do it?

Can anyone recommend say a small 4X4 that ones aged parent can access? Perhaps a 4X4 car that would tow?

Does anyone have any experiences - good or bad - with the smaller van's (the one's you travel the horse backwards in?) - what modifications do you need to make to make sure the horse can't jump over the bar/partition?

Any advice welcomed please, plus any recommended dealers etc in the Exeter/Devon area?

I have to make a lot of "car" decisions, and its doing my head in!! But need to have something mum can get into.

 

[blitznbobs]

Having tried both - and if you are on a budget, unless you want to travel from one end of the country to the other, I'd go for a car and trailer every time. It is far cheaper (it cost me about 1500 quid just to get my wagon thru' plating every year ) and cos I didn't use it every week it could be difficult to start. BUT if you are towing, you need to make sure your car is big enough (weight wise) to tow safely. Also a single horse trailer is fine, but a lot of horses won't box into the narrow space - A 2 horse gives you a lot more space to load/unload even if you do only have one horse.

I'm sure a lot of people will have a different opinion on this one tho'!

Blitz

 

[kezimac]

well i have a ifor single trailer, i used to have a passat estate 1.9tdi and it coped fine. I now have a freelander - so many people will slate freelanders for towing but i love mine - i wouldnt tow a double trailer with it even though in theory it should be legal but i wouldnt.
freelander very comfortable its not mega high. Passat est was lovely - am sure volvo est would be fine as long as meaty enough engine (check towing capacity - passat was 1600kg) Think the audi all road is 4 x 4 but expensive.

 

[canteron]

To me it would depend on how far you want to travel. Have just changed from a box to a trailer and to be honest it doesn't feel quite as secure and sometimes there are clashes with OH on when I need the towing vehicle!

Check what towing capacity you need for a small trailer and contact the AA. They can give you a list of suitable vehicles. If it is a small trailer you may be able to use one of the chunkier 4x4 estate cars which your mum would probably love!!

 

[amandaco2]

i had similar dilema- went for a 3.5t box and not regreted it at all!
its really easy to use, all 3 horses travel and load well (i take one at a time tho!)
i do a fair bit on duel/motorway so i wanted a box really anyway!also great in winter/rain!

 

[mtj]

The volvo V70 can tow 1800kgs, but is longwheel based. Hence makes reversing more challenging. On the other hand you can fit a small country in the boot and its still fun to drive.

I currently have this combo and would love a little lorry.

 

[Orangehorse]

If you are going to travel just locally then the trailer will be cheaper, but it you are going up and down the motorway and going out nearly every week then I think a small horsebox is probably better. Look at the Travel Two website as there is some useful information there to consider about small horseboxes.

A single might be all you need, but a double would be easier to buy and sell again if you need, also there might be a time when you need to travel two, plus room for all the clobber if you stay overnight at a show/trec/clinic, etc.

I know what you mean about your 90 year old Mum getting into the car - mine had great difficulty getting into my Shogun, so I took a step. She liked it once in though as she could see the countryside. Bear in mind that a hefty 4 x 4 is going to cost a lot in tax (which the person selling you the car carefully won't mention) and fuel consumption will be quite high. Do lots of research before parting with any money, eg. find out cost of insurance, etc.

 

[cp1980]

I noticed in Germany that the German Police used VW mini-buses or people carriers to pull double horse trailers with massive warmblood horses in them.

I think most of the VW Caravelles/Transporters used will have a towing limit of 2,000kg, although newer ones can pull a little more. They also come in 4x4 ("Syncro") form.

The advantages must be that the vans are quite practical for carrying people and gear.

Not sure about running costs, though.