3.5 ton horse boxes for those who have a van conversion and purpose built.

welshcobabe

welshcobabe

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 April 2003
Messages
308
Visit site
Hi

I am thinking of upgrading from my trailer to a small horse box, and I have friends that have van conversions and are very happy I also have a friend with a purpose built box.

What are your thoughts on this would you say a van conversion is not at good as a purpose built box ?

What sort of costs are you looking at re insurance and would you say that having a box as apposed to a trailer has been your best move.

The van conversions have been done by reputable companies and they are nice but the purpose built box is very lush as well.

I don't want to over night just a box for been out and about day out to shows, rides etc and just the one horse.

I am a capable trailer driver but feel a box would just be so much easier.

Your advice will be much appreciated Thanks
 
I got a purpose coachbuilt 3.5 as I was (then) in the throes of potentially getting a 2nd horse, which was quite a height. (I didn't get the big one in the end)

I've nothing against conversions at all, I just wanted bigger height/more room, plus its more light and airy to travel in.
Have taken a 17.3 Selle Francais - v long (7ft 3/6 rugs) horse in it, only had to open the partition more so he travelled at a slight angle. The height and width of the horse area is greater than a conversion, which is why i went that route.

I've occasionally camped in mine, plenty of room as I only ever travel one, so all the gubbins goes either on the luton, in the back, in spare section (but have to unload that 1st) or the side locker.
 
I had a van conversion. I would never have towed but I took my mare out all over the place in my box and loved it. I could travel up to 16.2hh in it - head height was there internally but they have to duck at the top of the ramp to get in due to how the ramp is done on a conversion.
I also hired the coach built 3.5ts a lot. Very fancy, if I needed a stallion box and had the budget then they would be my go to but on a budget, with a pony who was good to travel the conversion was fine for us.
Insurance was £2-300 a year, tax was similar.
Biggest cost I had to spend on mine was a new set of tyres, everything else was fairly routine/small stuff but I’ve had friends who have had to spend quite a bit on theirs.
It is a second vehicle so there’s another set of mot/service/maintenance that’s likely to be more than a trailer, but you may also save if it means you can downgrade your tow vehicle to a smaller runabout?
 
I have a conversion and love it. Heightwise I wouldn't want much bigger than 15.2/16hh in it.
Cost wise tax is £290 and combined breakdown and insurance was similar. Mot and service is the same as a normal car and I get around 35 to 40mpg fuel wise.
I have looked at the option of a trailer recently but by the time I have upgraded my fiat 500 to something that can tow the cost difference didn't justify the step down in convenience of box and added stress of towing for me
 
I've just gone from a trailer to a 3.5, I guess it depends what your reasons are for wanting to switch as obviously there is going to be a rise in costs with a box (even a van conversion one) So I would probably say really consider your reasons first, however having said that the insurance and tax etc on my box wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top