3.5 tonne horsebox advice needed???

lisa_lou

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Hello im looking to but a 3.5 tonne horse box with the value of around £5000, it needs to carry a 15.2 thoroughbred (around 600kg bodyweight) and a little welsh section A but would occasionally like to take my sisters 15.2 thoroughbred out aswell as my 15.2 and would be a bit worried about going overweight. I know loads of people that travel 2 x 15.2hh horses in a 3.5 tonne lorry but they must be overweight once they have tack, water, hay people etc on board, Is it not that important if you go overweight as these people and many others i have seen at shows dont seem too worried.
Also what reccomendations does everyone have towards make and models as im new to the lorry world! Many thanks
 
It doesn't matter until you need to brake suddenly and the brakes aren't up to the job, or you need to swerve suddenly and the balance is all wrong or until you're stopped in a roadside check by VOSA who issue a PG9 and then you get a £5K fine.
 
You need to know the weight of the horses you will be carrying then can look at the models available.

To give you an idea:

I have 2 x 15hh cobs, weighing approx 500kgs each. My renault master van has a payload of 1200kgs so can carry them both, leaving 200kgs for myself, tack, water etc.

However a friend has an Iveco with an Ifor williams body and can only safely carry 1 x 14.2hh before she is near her weight limit - she could possibly carry a small pony too but certainly not 2 horses.

Hope that helps!
 
I have a an equitrek sonic and only ever carry 1 horse/pony . I would say that these 3.5ton vans are not safe to carry two, never mind which model or make you have you are going to be on the edge of caution. Not worth the risk, I would either get a trailer or go upto next sizw lorry.
 
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