Heeeaatheraaaaa!

[lucydales]

What carriage were you looking at Heather (see Helen's posh driving thread!)? I am now on the look out for a 4-wheeler too and would hate to buy the wrong one?

What are the carriage buying criteria for a 13-something Dales mare??! Eg. max weight, etc?

All help most welcome!

[lucydales]

Wow, Heather! Thank you!

I will have to digest this a little before replying, but my first impression (as an engineer) is to tread wearily on the fun-bug as it has no turntable on the front axle so one set of wheels must be scrubbing on any turn which makes it "heavier" for the pony, on it's plus side (and any 4 wheeler) you don't have to balance it like a 2 wheeler.

I also like the idea of having a brake to help with downhills and also to make the work harder if you have a too forward pony!

If you are not sure whether you're buying a 2 or 4 wheeler, make sure you get a sliding back band as you can fix these for a 4 wheeler, but you can't unfix a fixed back band for a 2 wheeler!

[harleydales]

Just to add my ten-pen'orth.....

I bought a 2 wheeler as I was warned about possible jack-knifes and tip ups with novice horses/drivers and 4 wheelers. I think I was very lucky to find the one I did, which had been built for a big Highland and was pretty much spot on for Harley. A driving friend came over to assess it, told us what modifications we needed to do and it has been brilliant - for £250!! I didn't see the point in shelling out loads of money when I didn;t know if I or Harley would take to driving, and we were lucky enough to have an experienced driver help set us up.

The Tedex Tedman harness is a super starting harness with lovely broad breeching and breast plate, and has a sliding back band.

I've also heard the bugs are top heavy and can tip up relatively easily,and I'm sure someone commented on the drag/load on the shafts as they are fixed quite low to the carriage, but I could be talking nonsense!

Any experienced drivers going to comment? We novices need assistance LOL!

[tinkerdorisalison]

I have a 2nd hand Bellcrown, I think its a Q4 or the one below that. it is nice and light, easy to pull and suits tinker (13.3 and short legs ) perfectly. I think it will be the 14hh and under size, but for doris at 14hh it was a touch too small (the traces rub on her legs while cornering)

my dad has a selction of vehicles including a hillam that is a 4 wheeler then the back part is unbolted and fastened onto the shafts and hey presto you have a two wheeler. He really likes that

I will be buying a Bennington when my boat comes in.... ;D ;D

the other make that I know is Rene Schoop (sp?) Karen Bassett used them years ago

[ryebrook]

We had a Fun bug for a few months and sold it due to Jodie having trouble turning in it, there is a lot of drag on the wheels when trying to turn, the idea is brilliant though and for some ponies it's great but didn't suit her at all. The Bennington Eventer was a lovely vehicle but very expensive.....you can't beat them for quality though. Hartland are another we've tried but the one we had was very heavy, they do a lighter one now.

Hope the Bellcrown is still going well Alison

Think we've had more Bennys than anything.....oooh yes and a few Hillams too!

[cadeby]

Friends of ours had a funbug and they sold it after only 3 outings. They found it was only suitable for road work. On rough terrain branches kept jamming between the front and rear wheels, there was too much drag from the squat pneumatic tyres on softer soil, and it resembled an oil tanker in it's inability to turn due, as Lucy said, to the lack of a turntable.

I like the look of the Hartland Versatile. It can cope with all sorts of terrain, be used as a single-seat marathon vehicle, or as a pleasure vehicle for outings with friends, is acceptable in some driving classes and easy to change between singles and pairs. Drawback for me is the cost - nearly £3000 plus VAT. Although that is actually quite reasonable for a 4-wheeler.

In my dreams, nothing touches the Kuhnle range, but at around £8000 for the one I want, it will always be only a dream

From a safety point of view, for a novice pony and novice driver I agree with Jane that you should always choose a 2-seater exercise vehicle first. My highly experienced Percheron mare Cadeby used to work for Vaux brewery delivering beer daily in the centre of Sunderland, but she still managed to reverse, jack-knife and turn over a 12 seater wagonette. Luckily it was empty of passengers at the time! So it just goes to prove how even the best of horses can cause trouble in a 4-wheeler.
That being said, I still believe that a 4-wheeler is safer than an incorrectly balanced 2-wheeler. I think a course of lessons with a carriage driving expert are a neccessity for anyone starting to drive.

Any Hartland owners out there? Would love to hear your thoughts

[dollylanedales]

Definitely agree about the two wheeler, just easier to handle for a beginner. I still prefer going out on the road and tracks on a two wheeler even now.

We have all sorts of carriages, but my personal favourite is the Hillam two wheeler of which we have two. Its so nicely balanced, the shafts do not bounce up and down in the tugs, and its nice and smooth to ride in. The first one we got was being used with a 15hh cob, and we have had 13.2hh in it, as it adjusts. All our ponies are 14hh and suits them all nicely. We have covered miles in the Hillam, and never had a problem.

We have a two wheeled private driving Crowland Gig thats about 25 years old, and again, that is a lovely smooth carriage.

4 wheelers, I would have to go with the Bennington. I groom at shows for a man with one of these, and its really nice to drive on. The only thing is with the 4 wheelers and the turntables, you have to be so careful not to jack knife. I have had a couple of panics with the Bennington when the driver nearly jack knifed.

We have a Polish 4 wheeler too. That was quite expensive, but can seat 6, and is on solid wheels. Just about to loan that out to someone as its a bit silly us having it and taking it out with no one on!

[lucydales]

Oh Heather! If you've saved your post please put it back!

I'm sure no-one was aiming criticism at you, they were just giving their opinions from their own experience. It doesn't make any of them right or wrong, they are opinions, just that! Everyone has one on most things! Each of us choose what we take on board from our own perspective.

We get so few driving related posts on here that everyone is invaluable! I learn something from each, and you can be d**n sure if you are bold enough to write the question, there are tons of other people glad you asked it cos they weren't brave enough.

Like you said, from your perspective the Bug looks good and you were going to try one to see. You may love it, you may hate it, and ditto your pony, you'll make up your own mind anyhow!

For anyone thinking of driving you asked so many good questions and logical progressions on the possible answers given your unique set or circumstances (everyones circumstances are unique to them). Folks have added their views too, but it was your thoughts that have prompted their views!

I made the mistake of buying a fixed backband harness then found it wasn't any good for my two wheeler! So my comment on that was to stop you unintentionaly making the same mistake as me!! My opinion from my perspective! Your instructor may not think it's important or you may be fixed on getting a 4 wheeler so it doesn't matter to you, so you choose ignore my opinion as it doesn't suit your circumstances, it doesn't mean that it wasn't given with the best intent.

Please, please put your post back if you still have it, as it had so much interesting stuff for everyone to think about and it must have taken ages to type!