Has anyone time to talk to me about lightweight horse trailers (not for horses)

[KatyMac]

As I am so confused!!

I want to convert one to a sort of travelling shop and I need a lightweight one as my car (that I haen't bought yet) will tow 1.8

So an Ifor Williams (505?) is too heavy - but so many adverts have no weight on them which is so confusing for me

Could anyone point me to a website that has them all or a list or something?

Many thanks

Are u driving on a B licence or B+E?

Which ever one you can do if you are very old (I passed in 91)

I was trying to have a hybrid car took which limits the weight even if my license doesn't

OK lets go back to basics
I want to go to fairs/fetes/markets and festivals and sell clothes

I am a sustainable/eco business; we currently have one car between DH & I and we don't want a second car/vehicle (plus we wouldn't use it)

I would like the new car to be more sustainable/eco than the current Vauxhall Corsa

I struggle with loading/unloading clothes and display equipment as I am disabled and I find it very hard

I find travelling to an event and home again on the same day hard

I need to solve these

Ah that's ok. U don't have to worry about the gross weight being within 3.5tonnes then with a old license!

Realistically u just need to work out how much your stock weighs, subtract that from the tow weight of the car and that's the wiggle room u have for trailer weight (leaving yourself capacity)

I reckon my stock - Is probably only about 3/400

So if my car pulls 1.8 and I can have 75% that is 1.35 so less than 900 would be good (am I right about the 75% thing - I keep reading different things)

I can put a fold up bed in the back of the car and the gazebo (which I hate and I may replace with a lighter weight version)

The percentage thing is only a guide. There is no law other than u mustn't be overweight. It's good practise to give yourself a comfortable margin

That's what I thought!

Maybe a small van is the way to go instead - but something that DH is happy parking at tennis or Tesco (if we are ever allowed out again)

You could look at sheep trailers... They tend to be smaller than horse trailers and would be lighter.

www.batesontrailers.com/shop/livestock-trailers/12lt-livestock-trailers-cattle-pig-calves-sheep/ is quite cute and vintagey? (I'm sure you could find them used too)

Also don't get hung up on a hybrid/electric car. The battery production is a filthy and destructive process so they're not all that much more environmentally friendly

The hybrid car has been abandoned! Just can't make it work

DH is being a pain over towing (but that looks amazing - so cute) so a small van may be the way we go

So confused atm

A small van is probably more practical - it's one vehicle to maintain rather than two, you don't have to worry about the trailer being stolen and in a small space its easier to park.

Or you could buy a large car with a big boot. (I've driven Zafiras, Skoda Superbs/Octavias and a few transit connect vans if you have questions on those)

Yes thanks - I need a fairly eco friendly, it needs not to have a lip on the boot that I have to lift things over it - with a really good head height so I don't have to flat pack everything & automatic

And I really hate choosing/buying cars!!

Would a small camper van be the answer.

Haven't Ford just bought out an electric van?

www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/skoda/superb/first-drives/skoda-superb-estate-greenline might fit the bill?

All interesting ideas

The newest Skodas are very expensive

The Ford van is worth looking at

a camper van doesn't have much room for stock but it has possibilities

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202007070973404?advertising-location=at_cars&keywords=Greenline&postcode=SR6%200DD&body-type=Estate&model=SUPERB&sort=price-asc&page=1&make=SKODA&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

You can get them second hand for a reasonable amount.

Could you not just manage with a small marquee? Fix bunting around etc.

Seems a lot of faff.

I have done some similar things.

@QeuestionableMouse that's diesel!!

@topcat2014 well yes I have a gazebo which I've been using but I still need a car/van big enough to carry everything - last one I did was
Gazebo
3 tables
2 clothing rails
huge amount of clothing on hangers that have to be carried in and hung up
3-6 mannequins

The advantage of the horsebox idea is that I can go the night before sleep (in the trailer) nearby, set up using the trailer as a 'shop' pack away, sleep over then come home. WIthout it - a very early start/late finish or a B&B

I can spell @QuestionableMouse

www.horsemart.co.uk/equitrek-space-treka-m/Horseboxes-Trailers/511375

Might work.

Honestly I think you might have to give up on the idea if it being super eco friendly for now until you have a bigger budget. Buy a van and then look to be more eco friendly as your business grows. It'll be extremely difficult to do on a small budget.

You could also look into trailer/van/horsebox hire per event.

ford toureno looked pretty big until I realised it has storage in the roof!!

If money were no object have a look at the new Morris electric van. Lovely retro styling

Oh wow that is cute even in turquoise (not my favourite colour)

But a scrap out of my budget! I'd like to spend between £12-15 I think

£12-15k?

£1200 or £12000?

Because if its the second one I'm pretty sure you can get a really nice van for that!