3.5 tonne horsebox recommendations

[teresagarsden]

I am looking at replacing my 3.5 tonne transit with a newer model as i am looking to compete more often.
I was looking to spend between £4000 and £7000
I do like the look of the renault van conversions are they any good?
Is there anything i need to avoid?
Do i need a horse size emergency door out of the rear!?
Do horse really try to climb over the top of the back - is it advisable to fit grills?

All helpful advice is very much appriciated thank-you.
Teresa and Denny

 

[BlairandAzria]

Have a read of www.traveltwohorseboxes.com I learnt lots and lots from their website!

 

[teresagarsden]

Thank you so much for that link - what a great site with some good ideas and advice. That is just what i needed.
Cheers :O)

Please keep the information comming I can never have too much help.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Renault master types good for poor loaders as the ramp is very shallow. Ideal if you are travelling on tarmac/to places with nice level parking/solid surfaces.

However if you are travelling to muddy wet fields (eg endurance, hunting, overflow car parks) to park or along very potholey tracks, it may be an issue, since the floor is so low it could ground. Plus the lack of drive to the rear wheels (which is how the floor can be lower, theres no great driveshaft underneath from front to back) can make it harder to get out of slippy or muddy places.

Whatever you buy make sure the bulkhead between the horses and driver are fully reinforced and that this extra weight is allowed for in the payload calcs, also that if there is a tack area within the horse compartment that this is full height rather than half as otherwise horse can come down onto it if they rear.