3.5 tonne... payload/safety

[showaddy1]

Still haven't mastered towing, Im OK - just not comfortable driving to new places. I am toying with the idea of selling 4 x 4 and trailer and getting a lorry.
I am able to drive 7.5t but would prefer a smaller box.
So 90% of the time there will be one horse.. 550 kgs, but occ I would have the 2, so payload would need to be 1200. Are there any around with this sort of payload?
Also, how safe are the smaller boxes... Say I was in an accident, would/ could the horse come through the front ( one box I seen only seemed to have plywood between horse and driver)
I realize I may sound neurotic, but safety has to come first!

 

[sally87]

I have a bloomfields legacy s. I love it. So pretty and so easy to drive. Fully reinforced between horse and driver. Payload is 1160kg so not quite enough for you but if you have the licence I think they can be upgraded to 3.9t.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I think some of the more newer 3.5 ton lorries have a better payload but I think they are just too small to carry two large horses, I have a Renault master 3.5 ton and even if I wouldnt be overweight with two horses I just wouldnt want to put two on it.

My friend has a lovely 5 ton vw lorry and that is perfect for taking two horses comfortably without being so huge, she even has a nice bit of living with a bed over the luton, I am even thinking of selling mine and getting a 5 ton as it can be pain only being able to take one horse all the time.

 

[L&M]

My renault master has a 1200kg payload, made by Three Counties, but it is a van conversion and not coach built. I love it - it is easy to drive and economical, and both horses travel very well in it.

I can travel 2 x 14.2hhs plus tack etc and be just under this, but with larger horses you would need to be very careful with what else your were carrying (e.g. water/passenger etc).

 

[showaddy1]

I think in that case, I will have to look at something a little bigger... With two ppl/ horses and tack, I will be over weight :-(
If only I could master the whole towing thing I wouldn't have to buy one!

 

[L&M]

Or buy a smaller horse…..!

I feel your pain as hate towing, hence going for a 3.5t. Luckily I have always owned small horses/large ponies so get away with it, but am aware that I can never progress onto a bigger horse whilst I drive the van.

 

[ROG]

2 horses + driver + passenger + this + that is not going to work weight wise for a 3.5

GET A 5 TONNE HORSEBOX LGV C1 VAN

 

[Pinkvboots]

2 horses + driver + passenger + this + that is not going to work weight wise for a 3.5

GET A 5 TONNE HORSEBOX LGV C1 VAN

Thats what I said too!

 

[Splashy pony]

I have a 1300kg payload on mine and have a 450kg pony so could take a second horse but would really prefere passenger to drive their own car and bring the tack! I love my 3.5T but you do need to think it through.

 

[Goldenstar]

Or a 6.5 or 7 ton iveco daily .

 

[Tobiano]

I had my 3.5 Tonne Equimark uprated to 3.9 Tonne which gives it a 1.4 Tonne payload which is enough for 2 decent sized horses plus driver tack etc. I love the convenience and manoeuvrability of it.

 

[Primitive Pony]

Equitrek do the super sonic. 4005kg, with payload of about 1.4 tons.

 

[showaddy1]

How do you get them 'uprated'??
Also, I only go to club once a week, and the odd show.... As much as I want a bigger lorry, its hard trying to justify it to my better ha!f!

 

[Red-1]

I just had a Bloomfields professional, usually 1200 kg payload, but I had extras, and ended up with 800kgs on a one horse box with separate small living, huge tack locker and seperate toilet/ rug store.

That should have been enough for one horse, but I chose to uprate to 3.95 tonne. It was very quick, a few hours to have the gubbins done (suspension uprated and speed limiter) then a test at a testing centre, then sent the paperwork off to DVLA and that was that.

It made no difference to my insurance, and I now have over 1200 payload for one horse.

So, in answer to your question, I now you are having it as a 2 horse, but it was quite easy to uprate. If I ever sell it would also be quite easy to downrate as well if it were an unqualified purchaser.

I also like that I am getting about 30mpg even though it is an automatic.

 

[ROG]

How do you get them 'uprated'??
Also, I only go to club once a week, and the odd show.... As much as I want a bigger lorry, its hard trying to justify it to my better ha!f!

Most are originally 3.9 down rated to 3.5 so its usually just a case of contacting DVLA and the DVSA to get it changed on the paperwork and to have a new type of plate fitted

Over 3.5 requires LGV C1 licence - virtually all pre 97 car drivers have this

 

[Brandy77]

How much does it cost to get a 3.5t uprated to a 3.9t?

ROG - How can you tell if one was originally a 3.9t?

 

[ROG]

How much does it cost to get a 3.5t uprated to a 3.9t?

ROG - How can you tell if one was originally a 3.9t?

Not sure what the cost is but it cannot be much for a paper exercise

The DVLA should have the original GVW but failing that the manufacturer certainly will - there might also be a manufacturers design weight plate on the vehicle

 

[Laroxes]

I have a 5.2t Iveco Daily that isn't much bigger than a 3.5t but has a 1650kg payload and basic living but can sleep over the Luton - I find it's the perfect solution. I'm also thinking about upgrading soon if anyone is interested

 

[ROG]

To find original GVW call DVLA on 0300 790 6802 with number plate then option 1 then all other enquiries options
Takes about 30 seconds to go through the options

 

[Brandy77]

Hi ROG, I contacted DVLA but they weren't very helpful and told me to send them the log book!

This is the sticker on the van but i don't know why it says 5.5t, i can't see 3.9t anywhere...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/album.php?albumid=6652&attachmentid=25404

 

[ROG]

Hi ROG, I contacted DVLA but they weren't very helpful and told me to send them the log book!

This is the sticker on the van but i don't know why it says 5.5t, i can't see 3.9t anywhere...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/album.php?albumid=6652&attachmentid=25404

Link not working

I would like to see that sticker

 

[PeterNatt]

You can get very nice compact 7.5 ton lorry's (i.e on a short wheel base). I have got one and it can easily travel 3 full size horses with the pay load that it has. (It is only 18 feet from the front bumper to the rear of the container) so easy to park and manuver anywhere.

 

[Brandy77]

Hopefully works this time......

 

[ROG]

Hopefully works this time......

I can see the link when I quote your post but its not showing anything else

 

[Brandy77]

thats it, that all i could find on the van... ?

 

[ROG]

thats it, that all i could find on the van... ?

Can you email me the picture to my little used extra account - r0g@live.co.uk
Ta

 

[ROG]

Got pic - thanks

The 5500 is the GTW

3500 GVW
5500 GTW
XXXX front axle
XXXX back axle
Towing capacity is usually GTW - GVW so 2000

 

[ROG]

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/tools/vauxhall-contact-us.html
Email the customer care team and include your pic with the email

 

[dibbin]

I was told by a chap from Alexanders Horseboxes at the Royal Highland that there was absolutely no way of getting 2 big horses in a 3.5t. As you can drive up to 7.5, what about a 4.5 or 5t?