Trailers/horseboxes

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:07 pm

Hello peeps!

I just wondered if people could tell me what they use to tranport their huge neddies around!

I am thinking of getting a horsebox but a lot of people are saying i should just get a trailer (which would mean I need to get a 4x4 to pull with too as the only one we have is a Subaru Forester 2.0l).

I only want to go to some shows etc later in the year but also need to take the neddies to the vets etc for Majors teeth floating etc.

Thank you in advance and pictures would be appreciated! Wink

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

buy a 7..5 ton lorry cheaper easier to drive n u dont have to worry about the weight issue heavies n trailers dont mix no no no . ive just brought a 15ton box full living space for 4 ,with a trailer behind we can go in one hit id have an artic but i cant get it in the farm.!

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:27 pm

Hehe well I actually have a 7.5tonner in the pipelines as we speak, just waiting for pics - very excited!

I am being warned off boxes due to high running costs etc. Can you think of any other negative sides to having a horsebox over a trailer?

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

hi no not reallyas long as you n the horses travel safely thats the main thing

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:53 pm

Cattle truck, huge and we need it to transport 3 and all their kit.

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:56 pm

Hehe are they expensive?

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

piece of mind is worth everthing good luck with your purchase not getting my new box til mid feb happy trucking

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:45 pm

Ratface wrote:

Hehe are they expensive?

We don't own it, we have a friend who transports them for the cost of the diesel plus a bit for his time. The diesel cost is the thing that hammers us at the moment.

Master Friend Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 327

Just to say, it is important to have the your lorries/trailers checked over by professional horsebox mechanics. There are some horrific accidents caused by unseen rotten floors etc.

I have a 7 1/2 ton Ford. For a pair. Eight feet headroom, which was hard to find, but only just high enough. I had a new 2" floor, and extra hinges on the ramp, fitted. Am towing a trailer behind, with the plough/vehicle.

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:28 pm

I got Samson in and IFOR510 (guided at 2 x 17hh) but tbh it was a last resort, weight wise it was fine as the towing vehicle was enormous but he only just fitted, but it was all I could sort out for his MRI scan.
I am not comfortable with travelling Shires in anything other than a lorry if I had the choice.
Very exciting for you though!
Does your vet not come to you for teeth though? or does Major need something complicated doing?

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

i couldnt agree more if not sure ask if youve got some spare cash at the nows the time to buy some good and cheap lorries around just think what you want to do with it and how many you want to carry and do you need living etc etc and with older boxes spares may be a prob

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 7:08 pm

We bought a freelander with the intention of learning to tow the old shared horse with, but even a lightweight trailer and a lightweight-ish (clydey cross appy) horse was over the towing weight ratio limit, we like the freelander so kept it anyway, but I wouldn't go near callum with a trailer as he's got to be in excess of 800kg and 17.2 so would be borderline for height in a 510 anyway, he came in a wagon and will leave in one for whatever reason.
I have seen converted ifors for sale (up to 19.2) but they are few and far between and hideously expensive.

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

look on ebay if your not sure keep your money in your back pocket you will find the lorry for you ive got a 13ton box for sale it was built to carry shires it would downplate to 7.5 ton nice n high body and basic living if you know anyone

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:11 pm

Hello there,

Major needs his teeth floating as when I had him checked for the first time the dentist said he hasnt had his teeth done in years! Poor lad Confused

Daisy needs xrays on her knee and Ferg may need his op on his stifles if they dont come right.

The wagons I am looking at are 7.5 tonne as I can drive that on my license, I am on a budget so I cant afford anything more than the oldies. There is a bloke nearby who transported Daisy and Ferg and he does up boxes and refurbs them etc.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Shaggy a 13 tonne - wowzers that must be huge!! I only need to transport really one of my horses at a time, 2 at the most so no need for one that big and should only be local shows but who knows!

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

no its only about 22 ft my 7.5 ton was 23ft my new ones 33ft !

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:52 pm

I have a 7.5 tonne Ford Cargo, I have had it for four years, it has a livng on it and is a B reg. We regularly go to shows in it and I have been very happy with it. My friend has recently purchased an Ifor 510 but I have a Discovery so there won't be any problems towing. Go with what you feel comfortable with, I have never had a problem driving all sorts of different vehicles but you need to get used to driving a 7.5tonne lorry, was a bit daunting the first few times. All I would say is if you have the lorry don't give up on it after a few goes.

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:54 pm

Hehe brilliant...

I havent got one yet but I want to get one. Like I say I would love to go to shows and feel it would be an investment as they dont seem to lose much value.

Got any pics Rubytuesday? Very Happy

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:39 am

Hi Emma

I have a 7.5tonne Ford Cargo, which I bought in July / August time. It caused me some problems in the first instance - with calipers sticking and the clutch burning out. But it's been fine since, and I've been doing up the living area, so it's much nicer than when I bought it now. It's not too difficult to drive (surprisingly)m especially when I'm used to a Dahitsu Copen!!!

In fact, we're taking it out tomorrow to Eland Lodge, to do their charity ride!

Good luck - hope you find what you want. Oh, and pay the £50 to get a mechanic to check before you buy!!

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

hope the roads up your way are clear

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 2:08 pm

It's just started snowing Shaggy, so not sure if we'll be going. I guess we'll just have to wait until the morning and see!

Friend Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 82 Location: east sussex

not as cold as it was am

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:19 pm

Claire I hope the weather doesn't prevent you from going tomorrow. It is very cold here and we have had a flurry but not much, could get more later.

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:32 pm

Yes it is snowing here too - 8" of snow due tomorrow I am told!

Fingers crossed for you missus! Wink

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:37 pm

Yes, the snow has stopped now. The ice in the yard prevented us getting the lorry out on Boxing Day, but I still managed to ride.

This is a 12mile charity hack - I've never ridden 12 miles before - not sure how Angel will get on with it. But we'll take it nice and slow, and stop if it's too much for her - I've only ever hacked for 5 miles, so god knows how my hips will stand up to that long

Fingers crossed for the weather - I've just washed her bridle and girth, and cleaned her saddle. Numnah just going in the wash now. It'll take me all morning to brush that tail no doubt Very Happy

I want her to look all beautiful in the morning - how vane! Embarassed

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:12 pm

Keeping everything crossed for you both and I was thinking of your hips and bum on Monday morning - ouch, ouch, ouch. Have a good day if you go and I am sure you will both look stunning. Laughing

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:14 pm

I am gonna try and get to peterborough this year!

Sorry didnt know where to post that, just got a bit giddy all of a sudden!

We should have a but meet up! DO they allow Clydeys there?

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:24 pm

Definitely going to Peterborough - so yes, would be good if we all met up Very Happy

Haven't seen any Clydey's Emma - it's a shire show you know Razz

I might put some socks down my trousers to keep my bump from going numb - hahaha

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:37 pm

Hehe I know I just am aware that some friends of mine which are Clydey breeders are going!

Anyone know Susan and Brian Sutherland? Wink

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:30 pm

real green re the horse box,hope you get one tho x

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:52 pm

We have a 7.5 ton Ford Cargo Europe (R reg). We bought it last year. It was hard to find a 7.5 ton with enough headroom for an 18hh (and with enough load carrying capacity to legally carry two shires and physically fit them in!). It has living (sleeps 2) with loo etc - and even has a flat screen TV with a Playstation - former owner's husband fitted it so that he could watch Formula 1 while his wife was competing!! Keeps our son amused in between poo picking at shows! Yes he gets all the best jobs!

One of the best things about our lorry is that it has air suspension so that you can lower the whole thing right down for loading and unloading and it makes the ramp less steep. It also has CCTV in the horse area so that we can keep an eye on them when travelling. (Another gadget fitted by previous owner's hubbie - he was an electronics engineer.)

*Touch wood* Its a very reliable lorry and we're really happy with it. Very Happy

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:52 am

Wow that sounds fantastic, I wish we could get our hands on someone with one of those. It is nice not to have to drive the lorry and our friend has never let us down but you always wonder if one day we will be left lorryless on a show day. Sad

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:35 pm

Well I am hopefully going ot see one tomorrow which I think has 8ft of headroom

Is that what yours has Morph?

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:21 pm

I can't exactly tell you what headroom it has, but I had to rule out so many because of this.
Mine is a lot older - an HReg Ford Cargo, but it was coachbuilt, so has only done 58,000 miles. It fits Angel in nicely, with plenty of headroom for her (17hh) - and she doesn't bang her head at all.

It has sleeping for 4 - no loo or shower yet, but hope to get it fitted out soon. It has a fridge, sink and cooker - just in the process of getting them checked and working.

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:25 pm

Hehe well that is newer than the ones I am looking at. They are around C/D reg!

I dont have a lot of money.... Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 5:28 pm

Sounds as though it will make a nice spare room when it's finished Claire. Nice room mate too, bedding down with a Shire is right up my street. Laughing