3.5t box, argh!!!

sally87

sally87

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I want to buy a 3.5t box but it's all so confusing!

Originally I was looking for a second hand box as these would be closer to my budget. However many don't seem to have the safety features I've read are important such as removable breast bars, emergency exits and reinforced bulk heads. Also how do I know if the box is genuine and safe and that I'm not just buying a whole load of trouble?!

So I started looking at new boxes. With finance packages I could afford one. But even new boxes aren't straight forward! Every manufacturer seem to claim they are the only safe and reliable box on the market. What makes one box cheaper than others? The two companies I have looked at are Alexander's and bloomfields. Bloomfields look to be around £6k cheaper but is it compromising on strength or safety?

Even looking on here doesn't help as many posts about boxes come from users with only a handful of posts all about how good one box is or how bad others are, makes me a bit suspicious!

And finally is grp good or bad? I can't work it out!!!

Any advice/ opinions/ sympathy greatly received

Thanks!

Sally
 
I would write out your questions clearly and email each of them (boss is another make)
So that you can easily compare each of them.

Drive them all so that your happy with feel to.

Good luck!
 
Have you looked at three counties? They were fantastic with me and the aftercare has been great too. Mine horse is a little nervy and prone to panicking in confined spaces so I was even more conscious of the safety aspects. I too was on a tight budget and had to compromise but three counties really took their time to understand what I needed and wanted and built me a fab little box that i adore.

The other one that was really helpful was Polly at Travel Two - she really knows her stuff.
 
We had additional safety features added to ours, it didn't cost a lot in the great scheme of things but it means we have peace of mind. We took it back to three counties to get the work done, they were more than happy to do it. (Nb the newer ones have the safety features as standard, but some of the older ones had solid breast bars etc)

If you know a decent mechanic they will be able to advise you whether corners have been cut with the build too. Our mechanic has been over ours with a fine toothed comb, and he's more than happy with the conversion.
 
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I'm looking at 3 counties at the moment, they do a basic conversion to keep cost down but everything is just as safe as the posher ones :)
 
Im hoping to get a basic conversion box from three counties this year. A friend at my yard purchased one from them last year and is very pleased with it.
 
I feel your pain! I am on my second 3.5t one now. My first was a home conversion and pretty basic. I never had any issues with it but was always worried about what could happen. (Worth saying I expect reinforced bulk head as standard in a 3.5t, anything less just shouldn't be built!)

I did loads of research (and I also needed one that could have sleeping area!) and went with Alexanders, a York SE, with removable bed and hob / sink. The reasons I went with Alexanders were 3:

- Removable breast bars in an emergency.
- Wider back door so in worst case scenario if horse jumped over breast bar it could get out the back door. I haven't seen this feature anywhere else yet.
- Quality of build - I really liked the finish and the quality and the way it was designed, maximum use of space with good use of payload.

I have had it for 2.5yrs and been well used, its still doing great.

Good luck in your search.
 
I have ordered a Bloomfield, waiting for it to be ready in May :-)

I have a somewhat sharp horse, and a SAFE box was so important to me that I did not think a 3.5 tonne one would do.

I saw the Bloomfield and was straightaway sold on it. I have ordered the "Professional", for me it is so much safer as it does not even have a breast bar. I feel that Jay would just see a breast bar as a sort of activity centre to do press ups on (!). The compartments are big enough and very strong. There is an emergency exit out of the very wide back door. The whole lot looks very solid and safe. I have asked for mine to NOT have the window between horses and cab, as Jay sometimes goes buckaroo in a box when excited, and the last thing I want is a WINDOW to separate us!

The bulkhead is reinforced. I had a short trip (on private property) in the back and it was very quiet for the horse, and comfortable too. Bloomfoelds have been so accommodating they have even designed us a taller ramp so if Jay bucks with the top doors open he can't get his back leg over.

I would agree with having a set of questions to each manufacturer. I like either no breast bar (like mine) or a collapsible one, and the wider door as an emergency exit. Yes to reinforced bulkhead. Check the weight too, some companies are a bit vague and do not publish weights.

I looked at Alexanders, and they would have been my second choice, but I would have had to pay extra for one piece rubber, as I did not fancy small pieces of rubber screwed down, or the alternative was the bigger rubber sheets but a synthetic pad at the front of the horse, which I believe to be slippery. They were prepared to change it though. I also looked at the Boss and Eqitrek, but feared that Jay would boot his way out of them as they just did not seem as substantial to the layman.

Good luck!
 
Another 3 Counties happy customer here, I bought my van conversion from them three or four years ago and I'm really pleased with it. They are very helpful and their aftercare is brilliant too.
 
Oh im a Bloomfields fan - on my second one now! Not impressed with Alexanders at all - RIP OFF (they don't even make them them selves) - and I don't think they know about horses, plus when I went before my first one they never stopped phoning me and pestering me to buy - told them to get lost in the end!!! I think the Boss look nice but my friend has one and the inside is not safe enough for my horses, they would rip themselves to bits on the partition as its really sharp and it seems flimsy. Bloomfields have excellent service and the quality is fantastic. I did have to wait a while for my second one because they have a waiting list which is the only down fall, but believe me its worth it! Totally agree that its such a stress finding one as so many people make them and say that they are the best, but im so happy with the choice I made - couldn't recommend enough!
 
webble said:
Have you seen one in the flesh? i didnt think they looked that safe?
Click to expand...

Perfectly safe, I've had mine four years and use it an awful lot, with no issues at all. I bought a basic conversion and have slowly added more features, back windows and side windows, and I took it back up there last year to have it fully resprayed and the storage part at the back has now got proper built-in cupboards. It now looks very smart!
 
Another vote for Polly at Travel Two. I think they may do their own conversions now too? I wanted a small box with a big payload but have a cat C licence so didnt have to be under 3.5t. I explained what I need and she pointed out that an older box was much more suitable, so I ended up with a M-reg Renalut Master Mk1. I think its a Kingfisher build and its uprated to 3.9t. It is so solid its untrue. Both boys go in like adream and its a joy to drive, and I paid half the amount I had intended. Oh, and she wasnt actually selling it so had no vested interest at all - she just knew it ws up for sale!

Worth giving her a bell at least because she really is fab and can advise you impartially.
 
So I've been to look at the Alexander's York and had a test drive, I like it! Only issues are 1) slightly less payload, 2) slightly more expensive 3) heavier ramp. However I wonder if the heavier ramp/ less payload is because it's a better quality and safer box. Am thinking of asking them to get a weight ticket (is that the right term) before I make my final decision. I went to look at bloomfields this week. I like them as well but would not be ready til the end of August so would miss all the summer. Also much further for me to go if I had any problems. But I haven't ruled it out. Tomorrow I'm going to look at Kevin Parker's, see another alternative. I'm all lost and confused, don't know which to choose!
One more question (sorry if it's completely silly!) I have been looking at getting weave grills to stop the breast bar being quite so open. However I've been told they weigh a lot as are made by stainless steel. Why can't they be made out of aluminium as that would be a lot lighter?
Thanks for all your help!!
Sally
 
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