3.5 must Haves

[Tigertrot]

I am at long last in the position to have a 3.5 built. I have a reputable builder and just waiting for my build slot. I am v aware of weight constriction, only travel a small pony inhand showing, but I do have some build options
I can have an outside locker and internal hanging locker etc
Being ancient what tec things would you have ie hook up, leisure battery ??
Looking for last minute ideas before my final meeting

 

[Vodkagirly]

Good lights, both inside and out. Good ventilation.

 

[Tigertrot]

Good lights, both inside and out. Good ventilation.

Thank you, will have roof vent & opening windows. Will add lights on the list of things to check

 

[exracehorse]

Anti jump barrier

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

A tow bar with a full length rear step (look at Rhino etc).
I use the step to mount from and to sit on whilst sipping a cuppa in the sunshine.
Have done a few unplanned tows for stranded trailer friends and popped a caravan on the back a few years ago.

 

[Tigertrot]

Anti jump barrier

Thank you

 

[Vodkagirly]

Definitely the step, very useful. A tow bar would be useful for a caravan for stayaways

 

[Tigertrot]

Thanks, mine are little inhanders
Any idea if a hook up is handy or leisure batteries I suppose for phone charger

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Thanks, mine are little inhanders
Any idea if a hook up is handy or leisure batteries I suppose for phone charger

Easier to have a power bank for phone?
For day trips I use phone charger through lighter socket when on the road.

I used to have hook up for the big boxes, but havent done more than 4 or 5 stay aways each yr in the little box. So I just lob in a cool box and a camping gaz burner or 2 as easier for me.

 

[Tigertrot]

Easier to have a power bank for phone?
For day trips I use phone charger through lighter socket when on the road.

I used to have hook up for the big boxes, but havent done more than 4 or 5 stay aways each yr in the little box. So I just lob in a cool box and a camping gaz burner or 2 as easier for me.

Thank you
Thats really handy to know re power bank as can’t imagine staying away much

 

[webble]

Space for a porta pottie and covers for the windows when you're using it

 

[Squeak]

You can get wires to hook up without it being attached to/part of the lorry if that makes sense - you'd just need to feed the cable through the window or something and then use a normal extension.

Is there a way of making sure that the locks on the back door and tack lockers aren't the generic ones that can be opened by pretty much anyone else with a horsebox?

I've got T hooks to hold the barn doors and back door of my box open and they are a god send IME the rubber pop in ones don't work despite what the manufacturers say.

If I had the choice I'd go for doors or a net on the luton so that nothing can fall out accidentally.

The other thing I've been pondering but very much depends on how you'd use the lorry - If you put an awning rail above the back door you could then have a tent/ awning at the back to give you more living space, if you were just going out for a dressage test or SJ round or in a really tight car park it wouldn't be much use but for shows where you're hanging around and there all day or staying over I think it could be really useful.

 

[dottylottie]

as much as you only do inhand, things like external tack lockers would improve your resale value, so if you’ll still get some use out of things like that i think it’s worth doing! mine has a section for tack, but no lockers and the bench seats are fixed, im having them turned into hinged openings so things don’t go flying round and i can keep things out the way

 

[Tigertrot]

as much as you only do inhand, things like external tack lockers would improve your resale value, so if you’ll still get some use out of things like that i think it’s worth doing! mine has a section for tack, but no lockers and the bench seats are fixed, im having them turned into hinged openings so things don’t go flying round and i can keep things out the way

Def going for an external locker now, having been thinking about it, I did have a van conversion and got fed up scrambling through stuff in the back, will suss out the seating, mine did lift before but tbh was a pain
Oh going to have a mirror

 

[Tigertrot]

You can get wires to hook up without it being attached to/part of the lorry if that makes sense - you'd just need to feed the cable through the window or something and then use a normal extension.

Is there a way of making sure that the locks on the back door and tack lockers aren't the generic ones that can be opened by pretty much anyone else with a horsebox?

I've got T hooks to hold the barn doors and back door of my box open and they are a god send IME the rubber pop in ones don't work despite what the manufacturers say.

If I had the choice I'd go for doors or a net on the luton so that nothing can fall out accidentally.

The other thing I've been pondering but very much depends on how you'd use the lorry - If you put an awning rail above the back door you could then have a tent/ awning at the back to give you more living space, if you were just going out for a dressage test or SJ round or in a really tight car park it wouldn't be much use but for shows where you're hanging around and there all day or staying over I think it could be really useful.

Thank you so much, your info is really helpful. I was thinking of having a plug for the lead out but could def manage without and save some pennies
I’m having a door over luton so I can really make use of it

 

[BSL2]

Bulk head. Suitable for heavier ponies. Ref potential resale. Too many built with payloads that often compromise safety. Not aimed at OP.

 

[Tigertrot]

Thank you

Yes bulk head is all reinforced as standard same as driver side wall
It’s a minefield out there with no standards
I am v mindful of resale as this is my last hoorah - not having it built any differently to carry my ponies
Builds boxes for the racing industry

 

[Boulty]

As both 3.5ton boxes I’ve had have had enough battery issues for me to end up fitting one I’d personally have a battery isolator. Nothing worse than being all ready to go somewhere & the box not starting.

Oh and my current ramp likes to freeze shut due to the way the water runs off & down the rubber seals (I also get a puddle on box floor if I’ve got ramp open in the rain). Not entirely sure how you totally prevent it (although my ramp where the top door opened sideways rather than up did neither of these things!)

Have either loading gates, a bar or a chain to stop the horse being able to lean on the ramp if you carry 2.

A moveable partition with telescopic arm will give you more options for different sized horses. (If I can conjure up the money I’d like mine altering as it’s only got 3 different widths I can move it to & really mine could do with it wider)

 

[dottylottie]

Def going for an external locker now, having been thinking about it, I did have a van conversion and got fed up scrambling through stuff in the back, will suss out the seating, mine did lift before but tbh was a pain
Oh going to have a mirror

i’m planning on a full length mirror in mine! trying to find the stick on stuff that’s not in tiny pieces

a leisure battery is helpful, even for things like being able to run the lights when you’re setting off early doors. hook up probably not necessary unless you’re planning a lot of stay aways

eta: mine has an isolator on the battery, still broke down last week with battery related issues though i’d definitely go for that though, i can worry less about it sitting there but it’s also reassuring when it’s obviously left on a livery yard etc

 

[MrsMozart]

There's been some discussions lately regarding design in the event of an accident. If I can find it I'll post a link.

In general it was: anti-jump system, External access quick release bar, horse width rear door.

I'd have decent external camera, internal camera (remember you can't watch it whilst driving!), aircon unit for the back.

Enjoy your new box

 

[fredflop]

Door at the rear thats wide enough for horses to get out

 

[Identityincrisis]

As both 3.5ton boxes I’ve had have had enough battery issues for me to end up fitting one I’d personally have a battery isolator. Nothing worse than being all ready to go somewhere & the box not starting.

Oh and my current ramp likes to freeze shut due to the way the water runs off & down the rubber seals (I also get a puddle on box floor if I’ve got ramp open in the rain). Not entirely sure how you totally prevent it (although my ramp where the top door opened sideways rather than up did neither of these things!)

Have either loading gates, a bar or a chain to stop the horse being able to lean on the ramp if you carry 2.

A moveable partition with telescopic arm will give you more options for different sized horses. (If I can conjure up the money I’d like mine altering as it’s only got 3 different widths I can move it to & really mine could do with it wider)

If your partition has a telescopic arm, do as i have done and open the front right out to the ramp and tie it up with a really tight bungee

 

[Boulty]

If your partition has a telescopic arm, do as i have done and open the front right out to the ramp and tie it up with a really tight bungee

Alas my current one does not (but I wish it did cos this is kinda what I want to do when I’ve got the money to either remove partition & put some loading gates in or somehow modify current partition to be able to move it there…)

 

[Molly22]

There's been some discussions lately regarding design in the event of an accident. If I can find it I'll post a link.

In general it was: anti-jump system, External access quick release bar, horse width rear door.

I'd have decent external camera, internal camera (remember you can't watch it whilst driving!), aircon unit for the back.

Enjoy your new box

What sort of aircon unit did you use for the back if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MrsMozart]

What sort of aircon unit did you use for the back if you don't mind me asking?

No fret asking. I didn't get one - it was next on my list, but unfortunately I lost the horse and sort of gave up for a while. The lorry then did no more than move daughters' furniture around the country for a few years.

 

[Molly22]

No fret asking. I didn't get one - it was next on my list, but unfortunately I lost the horse and sort of gave up for a while. The lorry then did no more than move daughters' furniture around the country for a few years.

Oh what a shame, sorry to hear you lost the horse.

 

[Tigertrot]

There's been some discussions lately regarding design in the event of an accident. If I can find it I'll post a link.

In general it was: anti-jump system, External access quick release bar, horse width rear door.

I'd have decent external camera, internal camera (remember you can't watch it whilst driving!), aircon unit for the back.

Enjoy your new box

Thank you

 

[sidewaysonacob]

I'd second the isolator, it's a small outlay that hopefully will avoid big callout fees and disruption to your plans. But not all vans can have them, my Renault Master was ok, but my current Mercedes Sprinter isn't compatible because it would upset the onboard computer or something. So it has a solar trickle charger instead.