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Post by Casprinela600 on Apr 9, 2017 15:32:21 GMT
This may be a really rude question but who owns a horsebox? What size and very rudely how do you afford it!?
After many years with no transport and still none to this day my horse is becoming a field ornament due to not being able to get to anything not even just for a day out riding!
Looking for some inspiration and hope!
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Post by bigmama on Apr 9, 2017 15:48:07 GMT
3.5 tonne with sleeping on Luton, new build a couple of years ago .... started 1989 with a very old trailer which we stripped down to the bare bones and rebuilt ... traded it in a few years later for a secondhand Ifor Williams Hunter trailer. This in turn was traded in after two years for a brand new Ifor Williams trailer from Barlows Trailers, Preston. We kept updating our trailer for new ones for several years then bought our first 3.5 tonne, an older but very reliable VW LT35D .. stripped it and repainted it ourselves, after three years we upgraded to new build 7.5 tonne .. went back down to a 3.5 tonne when my daughter reached 17yrs of age so that she could drive horsebox, since when we've had four new builds, sold each one on after 2yrs in order to keep up with the market. So you see, it hasn't been quick and it hasn't been easy but we've never gone into debt for a horsebox.
I do often wonder how folk afford to buy these great big wagons with living like a palace and megabucks to keep on the road .. they must all be millionaires! 
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Post by hack on Apr 9, 2017 16:26:30 GMT
Similar story to Bigmama. Started with a trailer when I had ponies, upgraded that. Then when we got my SRT/Hack upgraded to a 7.5t horsebox (horse was high maintenance, wouldn't stand in a trailer, only ever travelled in a wagon). But we had one built (no Luton), had the horse area done first, living area just a shell for a year or so, then fitter the living out ourselves (MFI kitchen cut down to fit and seats/bed/cupboards/wardrobe made by an Great Aunt very good at carpentery!).
Sold that after about five years and bought one that had already been converted a few years. Lots of 'extras' that we never used. Had that one about four years and now have another one just been converted, waiting for a paint job. Bought the newest chassis we could and got it done in stages. Used all the learnings from previous lorries to get the perfect horsebox: Frank!
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Post by Casprinela600 on Apr 9, 2017 18:13:56 GMT
Thanks guys (:
unfortunately I don't have a car that can tow, or know of anyone who would tow me if I had a trailer, a friend of mine done a similar thing to you two starting with a trailer and slowly up grading to a 3.5t.. I have no idea where to start with no savings, I have no trailer or 7.5t licence so I need to go straight in with a 3.5t but have no idea where to start with money!
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Post by Toaster on Apr 9, 2017 18:33:15 GMT
I have the heap of junk from hell but it gives me independence
I got my little box about two and a half years ago when after a couple of horsebox hire experiences where I got ripped off for added expenses/extras I got it in to my head that I wanted a little lorry. I had a few hundred quid in the bank and that was it. My husband reasoned that I didn't want a bank loan just to be mobile
I drove to a local tack auction and spent my few hundred on second hand rugs and leatherwork - this filled the back of the car completely
I spent two weeks cleaning everything then put it all up for sale individually
This netted me about £1300, it was hard work and not an experience I want to repeat but it was a means to an end
I bought an absolute wreck of a box that has been stood for four years for £1500
it had no interior at all beyond a very old partition
Over the months I spent another £1000 on repairs and a new MOT and about £400 fitting the back out for horses (I stole the rubber mats from the ponies stables - they weren't impressed....)
Since then its cost me another £1000 in bits and bobs like tyres, new electrics, camera for the interior and a radio
plus another £1000 for problems with the starter motor, new brake pipes and some welding
As time goes on the costs are coming down as I have managed to get the box up together mechanically and hopefully the worst of the costs are over
The point I guess i am laboriously trying to get to is that added up its cost me around £5K over the time I have owned it however I didn't have that £5k all at once to go out and spend so while I still have ended up with a heap of junk I have been able to spread that cost and spend the money as and when I had it it did mean the horsebox has spent about 4 months off the road while I scraped together more money but its given me two seasons of getting out and about that wouldn't have had if I had been saving for a better box
Its not ideal and I wouldn't recommend that you go out and buy a heap of junk (unless you want mine which I would gladly sell you for the small sum of £5K) but along with the normal running costs I suppose it will have cost me an average of £100 a month once you take off the purchase cost and that is a sum I can cope with
the box is insanely embarrassing to drive and turn up to shows, people laugh and point but the little pony that comes down the ramp holds her own ok and at the end of the day thats all that matters
Its not all bad - its early mechanical problems got me a monthly column in a showing magazine!
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Post by Philippa on Apr 9, 2017 19:01:32 GMT
I have the heap of junk from hell but it gives me independence I got my little box about two and a half years ago when after a couple of horsebox hire experiences where I got ripped off for added expenses/extras I got it in to my head that I wanted a little lorry. I had a few hundred quid in the bank and that was it. My husband reasoned that I didn't want a bank loan just to be mobile I drove to a local tack auction and spent my few hundred on second hand rugs and leatherwork - this filled the back of the car completely I spent two weeks cleaning everything then put it all up for sale individually This netted me about £1300, it was hard work and not an experience I want to repeat but it was a means to an end I bought an absolute wreck of a box that has been stood for four years for £1500 it had no interior at all beyond a very old partition Over the months I spent another £1000 on repairs and a new MOT and about £400 fitting the back out for horses (I stole the rubber mats from the ponies stables - they weren't impressed....) Since then its cost me another £1000 in bits and bobs like tyres, new electrics, camera for the interior and a radio plus another £1000 for problems with the starter motor, new brake pipes and some welding As time goes on the costs are coming down as I have managed to get the box up together mechanically and hopefully the worst of the costs are over The point I guess i am laboriously trying to get to is that added up its cost me around £5K over the time I have owned it however I didn't have that £5k all at once to go out and spend so while I still have ended up with a heap of junk I have been able to spread that cost and spend the money as and when I had it it did mean the horsebox has spent about 4 months off the road while I scraped together more money but its given me two seasons of getting out and about that wouldn't have had if I had been saving for a better box Its not ideal and I wouldn't recommend that you go out and buy a heap of junk (unless you want mine which I would gladly sell you for the small sum of £5K) but along with the normal running costs I suppose it will have cost me an average of £100 a month once you take off the purchase cost and that is a sum I can cope with the box is insanely embarrassing to drive and turn up to shows, people laugh and point but the little pony that comes down the ramp holds her own ok and at the end of the day thats all that matters Its not all bad - its early mechanical problems got me a monthly column in a showing magazine! Oh toaster you had us all in bits over your lorry antics but you've got there in the end with it. Well done you for sticking at it. |
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Post by Casprinela600 on Apr 9, 2017 19:14:02 GMT
Lol, abit of inspiration there!
I have actually always wanted to own a tack shop but it be a 2nd hand tack shop.. horsey people go mad for a tack sale ive been to a few and a large indoor school turns into a tin of sardines!
I could kill one bird with 2 stones here! lol
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Post by Toaster on Apr 9, 2017 19:19:06 GMT
Oh toaster you had us all in bits over your lorry antics but you've got there in the end with it. Well done you for sticking at it. [/quote] It broke down today would you believe it! first time in over a year though lol |
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Post by Toaster on Apr 9, 2017 19:20:43 GMT
Lol, abit of inspiration there! I have actually always wanted to own a tack shop but it be a 2nd hand tack shop.. horsey people go mad for a tack sale ive been to a few and a large indoor school turns into a tin of sardines! I could kill one bird with 2 stones here! lol I learned an awful lot about what sells and what doesnt, (I have still got a few of the items that didnt sell!) if you need any help with where to aim your money drop me a message |
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Post by Philippa on Apr 10, 2017 5:35:12 GMT
Oh toaster you had us all in bits over your lorry antics but you've got there in the end with it. Well done you for sticking at it. It broke down today would you believe it! first time in over a year though lol[/quote] Oh no. Hope you got it sorted easily. |
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Post by gillwales on Apr 10, 2017 6:52:13 GMT
Lorries are very expensive things, you can look up the cost of plating, or MOT and road licence for whatever you are thinking of buying, find out the servicing costs, insurence etc then think about where you are likely to go. If you are not doing many trips a year then hire a box, be driven, it will be cheaper in the long run, it is over 15 years since I last had one and even then I estimated it cost £1000 pa to put it on the road plus fuel, we all know how expensive it is to fill up our cars, a lot more for a lorry. Make certain you budget for road rescue.
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Post by Philippa on Apr 10, 2017 8:05:23 GMT
Thanks guys (: unfortunately I don't have a car that can tow, or know of anyone who would tow me if I had a trailer, a friend of mine done a similar thing to you two starting with a trailer and slowly up grading to a 3.5t.. I have no idea where to start with no savings, I have no trailer or 7.5t licence so I need to go straight in with a 3.5t but have no idea where to start with money! You can pick up a 3.5t box pretty cheaply nowadays. could you get a bank loan??? Lots of companies do finance but you would pay more through them. It's difficult when you have no means of towing. We've upgraded our trailers & boxes over the years and we've re chassied & converted our own too. It's all in the buying. If you can buy wisely you will nearly always make money. That goes for whatever you buy to sell. Don't rush to buy something. Wait for the right opportunity. Good luck. |
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Post by mcnaughty on Apr 11, 2017 11:27:16 GMT
The only advice I can give (for when you do manage to save a few pennies) is dont necessarily go for looks! A good solid horse box or trailer with a solid floor and peeling paintwork is far better then a lovely looking beast but a rotten rust bucket underneath. Also, dont look at the mileage on a lorry - they are built to last for hundreds of thousands of miles and in fact I would prefer something that has done high mileage over something low as they NEED to be driven a lot to be kept happy!
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Post by Rockstar on Apr 11, 2017 15:39:38 GMT
And always remember, it's not what you turn up in, it's what you bring down the ramp that's most important!
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Apr 11, 2017 17:04:42 GMT
In my PC mother days, it covered the time when many were moving from trailers to lorries, and rather the opposite seemed to be the norm. Big smart lorries, and out would come the most dreadful ponies, I used to wonder why the parents hadn't spent a few thousand less on the lorry and a bit more on a good horse or pony for their child.
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Post by hack on Apr 11, 2017 17:39:43 GMT
And always remember, it's not what you turn up in, it's what you bring down the ramp that's most important! This. Exactly. My mum has been repeating this for years. We used to long for the days when we'd have a wagon that would be fit for the 'front row' at BSPS or P(UK) back in the day!! |
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Post by Rockstar on Apr 11, 2017 19:00:57 GMT
Lol 'hack'
We went to Wembley in a trailer one year. Heaven forbid!!
You'll probably find most of the very big very swanky lorries are leased/ on a lease hire agreement or put through the books of the owners company. I'm sure very few people can go out and spend £300k plus on a horsebox (there are a few and lucky them!).
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Post by Philippa on Apr 11, 2017 19:53:44 GMT
Lol 'hack' We went to Wembley in a trailer one year. Heaven forbid!! You'll probably find most of the very big very swanky lorries are leased/ on a lease hire agreement or put through the books of the owners company. I'm sure very few people can go out and spend £300k plus on a horsebox (there are a few and lucky them!). Oh those 6 little numbers 🤷♀️ |
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Post by gillwales on Apr 12, 2017 13:28:05 GMT
Lol 'hack' We went to Wembley in a trailer one year. Heaven forbid!! You'll probably find most of the very big very swanky lorries are leased/ on a lease hire agreement or put through the books of the owners company. I'm sure very few people can go out and spend £300k plus on a horsebox (there are a few and lucky them!). Im not sure if it is still the case but when I was showing , the place to see expensive lorries was the Arab Horse Society Summer show, there would be fleets of them, colour co-ordinated with a range rover and trailor in matching livery to carry the hay and bedding, one team had 6 big Oakley lorries... how the other half live! Then there was my battered Bedford TK in peeling racing green... mind you we still managed to take home a bit of silver ware  |
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Apr 12, 2017 15:43:06 GMT
I think the most amazing selection I've seen was at Windsor one year in the area reserved for the driving trials teams. Huge lorries for teams and spares of horses, vehicles, harness as well as all the living. Lorries opened out to form temporary stabling for the teams.
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Post by sjw87 on Apr 13, 2017 5:54:16 GMT
Realistically you can easily budget £1500 a year to keep a reasonable 7.5t on the road. I've no experience of running a 3.5t yet to estimate that although for an older box I can see it being similar tbh.
It's absolutely right that it's not important what the lorry looks like; it's what comes down the ramp that's important. However, it's also vitally important that such precious cargo is transported safely and just because a vehicle has a valid mot, it could be an absolute death trap for the horses. Boxes are expensive for what they are and if you buy the wrong one it is an absolute money pit. Buy the right one and you have the freedom of going where you want, when you want.
Realistically, if you work out how often you would actually use a box compared to the financial outlay and ongoing costs, it can often work out more cost effective to hire a 3.5t as and when you need. £100 a day plus fuel may seem expensive but if you do the sums you would be surprised. Of course you don't have the convenience of being spontaneous if hiring but you are usually getting use of a much better quality (and safer) vehicle than you could afford for yourself.
Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards
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