3.5 tonne box for 17 hands horse - advice please

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EJJ999

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I currently use a trailer but I hate towing it and truth be he (horse) doesn't like it either. He's a big boy just shy of 17 hands. Really would like to upgrade to a 3.5tonne vehicle. What do I need to know? Can anyone recommend a conversion company? Is that the best/affordable route?

It will only be needed to travel one horse. Only basic requirements. ie somewhere for the saddle and bridle etc. Would rather take a basic model to keep costs down but not at the expense of safety.

What should be on my must have list?

Thanks.
 
You'll probably need a coachbuilt rather than a tall van conversion - some people have travelled 17hh in them but it might be tight.

Payload should be Ok on most, but do weigh the horse first (easiest is trailer with horse to weighbridge, back home, unload, back to weigh empty trailer) - and insist on a weighbridge cert for whatever you buy.

Mileage unless very high shouldn't be an issue, general condition is - and of course build quality, floor condition, breast-bar releases....

As always it comes down to budget. Roughly what's yours?
 
We have a Movano at work and I've got a coach built Renault. Both carry a 17hh comfortably. Mine weighs 2400kg works is possibly a tad lighter but I think a little flimsy.
No advice on what to go for but just to say they fit nicely in either of these type boxes.
 
Ah one thing I would say and they are not common so probably won't be an issue for you but mine is a crew cab so the tack area is smaller (which I like as I think it lessens the chance of a horse thinking of jumping over!) but it means the wheel arch is in the horses standing area. Fine with a smaller horse but a bit awkward with a big one!
 
Some coach-built will only have 7'6" headroom, others will have 8ft. My 16:3 travels in one with 8ft headroom and there's lots of room but I think 7'6" might've been a bit less comfy. Also think about length of horse area. Some I looked at were built on shorter wheelbase models which brought the wheel arch into the horse area - not only encroaching on the area for the horse to stand but also resulting in a narrower odd-shaped ramp that I didn't like at all.
 
Thank you for your replies. Excuse my thickness. Coachbuilt means designed on day 1 as a horsebox rather than something that started as a normal van and then converted? I think this is right.

But I am looking for around 8foot headroom for 16.3 (likely to be 17hands). He is quite long backed so thanks for the advice about the length as well.

Budget ???????? What do you think I need to spend. Basic is totally ok as long it is safe.
 
jal999 said:
Thank you for your replies. Excuse my thickness. Coachbuilt means designed on day 1 as a horsebox rather than something that started as a normal van and then converted? I think this is right.

But I am looking for around 8foot headroom for 16.3 (likely to be 17hands). He is quite long backed so thanks for the advice about the length as well.

Budget ???????? What do you think I need to spend. Basic is totally ok as long it is safe.
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Polly from TravelTwo horse boxes would be a good start! Basically it would need to be a horse lorry (think supermarket delivery style little lorry rather than a big builders van type conversion, which are cheaper but i wouldn't trust a big horse in one.)

Also depends on whether you need lez compliance or not. If you do, i think an ok one will be from about 10k up, if not maybe a bit less.

Many 3.5t lorries are around the 1 tonne weight limit, so make sure to add two people in, water, tack and gear, and fuel into weight on top of horse.
 
Thank you. That's what I am looking for somewhere to start. Who thought it could be so complicated.

And, I love this forum. As I had to look up lez compliance! Now I know something I didn't know earlier. But I don't need to worry about that.
 
I fear 10K may be tight, although there is stuff out there. 15K is safer ground :( Having said that there are bargains out there, it's avoding the rubbish which is the art.

Part fo the problem is that because you don't need to take a test if you havea post-97 licence 3.5T trade at a premum.

May be worth looking at taking your C1 (HGV) test. Costs around £1000 or a bit less, but means you can add 7.5T lorries to your shopping list. Or go for the C test (hardly costs any more) and 26T is your limit! GO LARGE.

PS Why not hire one for a day or two to make sure he does travel well in a 3.5T? Or even just pay a local transporter to come and do a two hour round test trip.
 
It's doable but you will be restricted with what is out there and then will be competing with others who want more headroom so potentially more ££. Coachbuilt often not from new but essentially just chassis used and everything re built from there rather than cutting a hole in the side and adding a ramp. I know you are only travelling one but you still have to keep an eye on payloads there are plenty out there with only 700kg or so. Budget probably depends how long you want to keep an eye out for the right one
 
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