YorkshireLady
Well-Known Member
Owens are def one to bear in mind. I have visited them and I was between them and Marlborough when getting mine built
3.5 lorries . . . . who's good & who to avoid!
- Thread starter awelshandawarmblood
- Start date
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
I've just put a deposit on a used Proteo 3 - I am so excited. I had been looking at cheaper builds but when I touched this it was in a diffrenet league. The build and horse features are very important to me - 2 roof vents plus an electric fan, 3 windows, fab design of partitions and how you open them and a solid but well balanced ramp. Andy at Atacanter has been great to deal with and Andy is cheerfully taking my daily calls of questions - poor man. I am having it inspected by Wayne Henning even though it has warranty but I just want to be sure everything is OK. I will be travelling by myself so feeling safe is essential
Marigold4
Well-Known Member
Atacanter has been great with sending spares and giving advice. The one they sold me was exactly as described. The ramp is indeed very solid. The only criticism I have is that the ramp is a good two inches lower than the floor, so there is an opprtunity for a horse to have their hoof half on the floor and tip back. Difficult to describe but you'll see what I mean when it arrives - unless the Proteo is different. I have a quartered fence post that I stick in the gap to prevent over- extension injuries. I expect other lorries have this issue but I've only owned this type.
eahotson
Well-Known Member
I have a Boss and it's brilliant.Very well built.Hi all,
I've eventually come to the decision to bit the bullet & get a little lorry. The size tow car I'd need for my boy I just cant justify running with the mileage I do
So, who are good & who to avoid? I'm after something second hand & very picky in regards to partitioning & having the rear separate to the horses due to a houdini youngster, so I'd rather something of good quality with a lower payload - only needs to carry me, him, tack & fuel.
I've heard of all the big names (way out of budget!) such as Bloomfields, John Oates, Equito etc but what about the likes of Owens, Marlborough, Boss, Foxy Twin, Staffordshire, Regent, Alexanders etc & are the Equitrek lorries build better than the trailers?
Thanks!
blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
I have a Kevin Parker wagon… it’s super duper
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
We've just put down a deposit on one at Central England Horseboxes, they have a great reputation and they have a good selection although you'll need to be quick as the cheaper end ones fly in and out (ours had just come in a couple of days before and wasn't listed yet so it's worth asking before you go to view)
http://www.centralenglandhorseboxes.co.uk/category/latest-horseboxes/ they have a fab after sales service too if you Google their reviews.
We found a compact 6.5 tonne in the end with a little bit of living, its a thorpe prospect 2 which are apparently pretty popular x
http://www.centralenglandhorseboxes.co.uk/category/latest-horseboxes/ they have a fab after sales service too if you Google their reviews.
We found a compact 6.5 tonne in the end with a little bit of living, its a thorpe prospect 2 which are apparently pretty popular x
The Bay
Member
I bought my 6.5 ton from http://www.centralenglandhorseboxes.co.uk/category/latest-horseboxes/ there was a few little niggles when I first got it but they took it back and sorted them all out -I would prob buy another lorry from there if I was looking again.
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
Good to hear as we've just put got a deposit down a 6.5 tonne from them too! He did say they'd sort anything out if there were any issues so fingers crossed ?
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
Well done for getting Central England to talk to you. I have tried every comms channel I know and can't get a response. FB Messenger, telephone, text, contact via web page - I gave up
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
How odd...was that recently? I called this week and made an appointment the same day. Had no issues getting hold of him but he did say he gets a lot of messages so could just have been luck!
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Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
This week - and last week. Try telling their associates that Wayne Henning will do the inspection and they don't want to talk to you. PM me for more info. If I'm wromg apologies to Central
MissTyc
Well-Known Member
Henning did the inspection on a 2001 Renault Master I was selling! It was impressive to watch and they helped my buyer get some money off the asking price (this was pre Covid and price surge) ... Thankfully the minor faults they identified were only mechanical; the horsebox build they were impressed with and actually recognised the builder (I'd bought it unbranded). I felt like I was sitting an exam and it was only little old me with my much-loved and generally well-maintained old horsebox.
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
It is odd, my friend was buying and had no contact issues either, didn't buy from him but went and looked and liked him. That's exactly why its so odd!
Bobthecob15
Well-Known Member
He did mention he posted a horsebox for sale and in the space of 1hr he had 15 messages and 9 calls about it....he's obviously in demand!!
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
I imagine he had sold the one I enquired after but surely you get back to someone and see if you can tempt them with something else?
Neversaydie
Undecided
Finding this interesting as I am pondering having a 3.5t in future. I only have one horse so payload wouldn’t really be an issue. I only two one horse as well even though my car toes 2.2t but 4x4s are getting expensive to buy and run now so a box may well work out a cheaper option.
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
I will only travel 1 x 15.1hh so payload no issue but I want a good solid build
Squeak
Well-Known Member
Some of the horseboxes I've seen advertised on Central England Horseboxes have not inspired me with confidence. About 10 years ago I viewed some he had in stock and walked away from them all as either too hard used and worn out or bad build quality.
Others seem to have had different experiences so it's possible they've changed now and I'm sure they must get some good ones but unless I absolutely knew what I was doing they wouldn't be my first choice. Having said that though - it's probably no more of a chance than sifting through everything that private sellers have and you'd probably have more of a comeback with a dealer than from a private sale.
Others seem to have had different experiences so it's possible they've changed now and I'm sure they must get some good ones but unless I absolutely knew what I was doing they wouldn't be my first choice. Having said that though - it's probably no more of a chance than sifting through everything that private sellers have and you'd probably have more of a comeback with a dealer than from a private sale.