3.5t box running costs please can I pick your brains

webble

webble

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I am looking into buying a 3.5t box and just want to check my approx costs are right please

ins for year approx £300 - I am over 25 with no accidents or points and want an any driver policy
tax £190-250 - I know this will depend on the box
mot £55
servicing approx 350
breakdown cover- £200

Anything else I have forgotten to allow for?
 
webble said:
Anything else I have forgotten to allow for?
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You just left out the 'it would be some much more better if I just (added a sink / extra tie ring / put new rubber down on the ramp etc)' factor! Very tempting (mine now has a sink, hob and extra storage, plus a re-reinforced bulkhead and an isolator), but it costs - and some of it can add to the weight too.

Your figures look roughly right to me - I recon my 3.5 costs £1k/year including fuel and general servicing and maintenance, but not including adding extras as above.
 
sidewaysonacob said:
You just left out the 'it would be some much more better if I just (added a sink / extra tie ring / put new rubber down on the ramp etc)' factor! Very tempting (mine now has a sink, hob and extra storage, plus a re-reinforced bulkhead and an isolator), but it costs - and some of it can add to the weight too.

Your figures look roughly right to me - I recon my 3.5 costs £1k/year including fuel and general servicing and maintenance, but not including adding extras as above.
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Ha ha I won't be adding living or anything but yes I'm sure I will end up adding little extras - horse camera blue tooth sat nav etc

Thanks for the reply :)
 
...make sure its not a ten mile tow only policy! OH is recovery driver and says many drivers are caught out that way, all he can do is tow them ten miles then they have to pay alot of money to be taken the rest of the way.
 
I think your costs look about right tbh. Your insurance will depend on the value of your box, but I'm the same over 25 no points, and I have mine insured for anyone over 25 to drive and my insurance is under £200. My breakdown is £120 because I made sure I am with a break down company that will a separate Horsebox if I breakdown with a horse on board, not just bung us on a low-loader like some breakdown people.
 
I'm often competing on my own, so my breakdown cover includes everything inc sending someone out to drive the box home if I've sprained my ankle or something. Still comes in at about £350 for insurance and breakdown, but I'm in my 30s so have more no claims.
 
I've just paid £340 for insurance + breakdown, so your estimate is probably generous. I used to run a 7.5 lorry and this is so much cheaper, easier to drive, park etc. Whan buying check payload and make sure it will carry everything you need, also headroom and weight of ramp. I looked at some boxes that looked very tidy but were actually quite flimsy. With a rear facing box you need to feel confident that if you have to stop suddenly you won't end up with the horse ending up in the driver's cab! Also height of breastbar and access at rear of vehicle is important. I love mine, wouldn't go back to a bigger box or change to a trailer. I hope you find the right one for you.
 
oldie48 said:
I've just paid £340 for insurance + breakdown, so your estimate is probably generous. I used to run a 7.5 lorry and this is so much cheaper, easier to drive, park etc. Whan buying check payload and make sure it will carry everything you need, also headroom and weight of ramp. I looked at some boxes that looked very tidy but were actually quite flimsy. With a rear facing box you need to feel confident that if you have to stop suddenly you won't end up with the horse ending up in the driver's cab! Also height of breastbar and access at rear of vehicle is important. I love mine, wouldn't go back to a bigger box or change to a trailer. I hope you find the right one for you.
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I am half looking at the trailer type ones on a chassis. I know they aren't as fancy but they have really big payloads and although I only have a 14.2 I dont want to be driving thinking I am at the limit weight wise.

Does anyone have any opinions on these?
 
I was warned off those trailer types ones (like this? http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ochester/ifor-william-2-horse-box-377421.html) as they tend to be mounted on vans with a higher center of gravity than the usual Renault Master conversion (Transit, Iveco Daily etc.), so a less comfy ride for the horse and more importantly a higher risk of it tipping over. As a result of the height the ramps can be quite steep too.
 
sidewaysonacob said:
I was warned off those trailer types ones (like this? http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...ochester/ifor-william-2-horse-box-377421.html) as they tend to be mounted on vans with a higher center of gravity than the usual Renault Master conversion (Transit, Iveco Daily etc.), so a less comfy ride for the horse and more importantly a higher risk of it tipping over. As a result of the height the ramps can be quite steep too.
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Hmmm I did wonder if that might be the case which is a shame because the payloads look so attractive on them :confused:
 
...some excellent breakdown cover advice already given here and it's true, some policy's hardly even acknowledge your phone call, let alone actually help you if you breakdown!!
 
ElleSkywalker said:
Yep, but most insurance places I spoke to offered free breakdown cover, so more pennies to spend on extras :D
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But if you have any incidents like towing away etc your premium will go up best to keep the two separate :) as owning many 'senior' 3.5ton horse boxes the tow truck has been needed on occasion :D
 
My breakdown is with my SEIB cover, I've had to use it twice with my old lorry and the service was excellent, not sure it really affected the cost the following year. Re type of 3.5, I've experience of the trailer on a chassis type and I found the ramp very steep and the ride a lot less good than with my renault master which is low to the ground and gives an excellent ride. although it's got a decent payload and I could travel two horses in it, with 2 passengers and tack for two horses I would be overloaded.
 
I've hired one of those ifor boxes a few times for my 16h big ISH and she travelled wonderfully in it. It didn't feel unstable, was very well made and easy to drive. I would have bought one, but mechanic OH wanted a trailer instead as he already had a discovery for everyday..

I do agree with the steep ramp comments, on a rainy day it was quite slippery (although that one didn't have slats across the ramp for grip).

My mare loved being on it looking out at events - got great views!
 
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