3.5 horsebox / van conversions

J

jas126

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Hi. Ive been looking at getting a 3.5 horsebox (the panel van style).

All of the conversions I have viewed seem to be on vans which aren't so great mechanically. Therefore I'd like to buy a decent van and then have the adaptations done on it.

WHICH VAN SHOULD I GET? I've seen most are Renault master or Vauxhall Morvano.
I've seen a Ford mk7 (Long wheel base, high top) and wonder if this would be suitable.
Many thanks.
 
We went for a Renault Master, they are like hens teeth to try to find though as they are so popular to convert. We managed to find a decent bodied one in a scrap yard, engine was shot but my husband is a mechanic and found a different engine to put in.
 
turnbuckle said:
A clear no to the Ford, they have a higher centre of gravity.

Plenty of Renaults, Movanos, etc out there.
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Agreed ^ def not a Ford.

Go and look at auctions, I picked up mine (Movano) at auction in June 2012, it was 4 yrs old, full service history and a list of replacement parts etc (like lights etc that had been walloped and bodywork repaired, tyres replaced and when) as had been a fleet van for 4 years & mileage about 80 thou. The back doors didn't lock and hefty cosmetic damage on the rear corners on both sides. I wasn't bothered as the whole body was coming off anyway!
It cost me 2,750, much cheaper than I would have been charged by horsebox maker at that time. I then paid for body to be coachbuilt on top.

They are out there & don't discount a fleet van as they are (usually!) well maintained.
 
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I've got Fiat Ducato. They are mostly used for motor homes, but they make a superb 3.5 t horsebox. Brilliant engine and gearbox. Very smooth. Very low floor pan.

Mine is ex lease, three years old 16,000 miles when I bought it.

Just don't get Regent to do the conversion for you!
 
Personally, I loved my Ford transit and my horse did travel well in it until I painted the inside and she stopped going in BUT I would not do long journeys in it as it was high up and I felt like it was swerving. My next box was a Renault master which was lovely.
 
Renault Master's, Vauxhall Morvano's and Nissan Interstar's are all basically the same. I have a long wheel base Interstar bought with low mileage and aside from the 'normal' wear and tear replacement bits the only issue I had was with starting cold (glow plugs, which is apparently a very common problem with these vans). Had it 10 years now and still drives as well as ever, but the van base was a 3 year old fleet vehicle.

False ecomony to build a box on top of a rubbish van base i think. Someone at my yard had just bought a 'new one' for about 25k. Its been to the garage more times than she has taken the horse out in the 1st 6 months she had had it.
 
claireandnadia said:
Personally, I loved my Ford transit and my horse did travel well in it until I painted the inside and she stopped going in BUT I would not do long journeys in it as it was high up and I felt like it was swerving. My next box was a Renault master which was lovely.
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Ditto and ditto (apart from the painting issue lol) I much prefer my Master but I did adapt in the end to the Ford

I've never really questioned the mechanic side of things, my logic is that Masters and Movanos are so widely chosen for a reason.
 
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If you google traveltwo horseboxes you’ll find a great website with tons of advice on 3.5t boxes. I would steer clear of the panel can conversions, some people are happy with them but unless you’re travelling tiny ponies they are just too small.
 
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