3.5t box servicing

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How much does the servicing cost for a 3.5t box?

Im just working it all out insurance etc. as I will be looking for a box soon.

God knows why Im looking at this going to regret it me thinks its looking expensive!!!
 
It's not so much the servicing but other jobs as these chassis are often quite old and have high mileage so be prepared for maintenance costs.

I had a Transit til last year and have to say it owed me nothing although the body just rotted but after 6 years couldnt complain! Parts were cheap and freely available from the local scrap yard mainly.

Ive now got the same box on a Merc Sprinter and the parts are astronomical although it is nicer to drive, power steering etc. The servicing isnt too bad as have a mobile mechanic do it when he does my car and it has one good service each autumn before the MOT which is usually about £100. Insurance with NFU fully comp is around £15 pcm on a box valued at £6K so also not too bad. Tax is £180pa. MOT is an ordinary class 7 no need for plating so around £45.

All things considered it is better for me than running a trailer and large 4x4 and safer IMO. If it wasnt for the fact I cant park it at work Id get rid of the car and use the box instead it's that easy to drive.

The other thing you have to consider with a box of this size though is the weight. The whole thing with horses, fuel, tack and you etc must weigh in at less than 3500kg which is quite a tall order I reckon the Ifor Williams container on mine weighs about 600kg on its own.
 
Correction, the Ifor short base container I have weighs 850kg + Merc Sprinter SWB 1810kg plus Willow @ 490kg = 3130kg ouch! Thats not including fuel, passengers and kit so would not be able to take another horse.

If anybody knows more about kerbside weight of vans correct me am starting to sound like a real anorak here
 
How long is a piece of string??

It depends on the age of the box your buying and what may need repairing/sorting out at the time of servicing/MOT'ing. Ive got a 2001 reg Renault Master with relatively low mileage for a box of this age and in very good working order, but it can still cost a fair bit at times for routine bits of work to be carried out. Its just the luck of the draw sometimes it works out cheaper and sometimes its more expensive!!
smile.gif
 
Thanks custardsmum. We have a trailer but it never gets used and I cant tow it so going to sell that and get a 35 ton. Im really way out of my depth here I know nothing!

Well Im going to look at a £5k one in a few weeks. Its an R reg I think, LDV. I've budgeted about £600 a year for it but have a feeling it may have to be more.

Also any tips on what I should be looking for i.e. horse section wise and also the engine.

I have thought about getting rid of my hatch (car) and just having box but it wouldnt fit in carpark at work! I suppose its just the luck of the draw when getting a box some are okay some not. Preying this one will be okay.

Ta.
 
£5K should get you a half decent little box. The older type LDV Sherpa vans are ok we have them at work and they run and run but because they are a bit ugly people wont pay as much for them. Dont be tempted into a anything with a turbo as these are very expensive to repair, although power steering is worth having and stick to diesels not petrol

Is this van a horsebox already or does it need conversion? If it already has a luton or box van on it would than need conversion in the way of adding a ramp/beefing up the container and floor, this all adds to the weight.

If I was looking again I would go for a purpose built container such as the Ifor Williams on a suitable chassis. I got my Transit/Ifor for £3500 but it was 7 years ago. When the transit eventually died I just swapped the body over onto the Merc. The container has no frills but is solid with an aluminium floor and will hopefully last me many years yet. PM me if you want more info
 
I hope so! I cant afford a new one. Its a newly converted box. I did look at the iw trannys but wasnt very impressed theres not a lot of space in them but then again second hand values are very low. Someone recommended the guy who sells them. Are they big enough for a 16.1?
 
We tried to get my mates 16.2 mw hunter type in my box once, with a crowbar! As fast as we shoved the back end in the head poked out the front but she was a very long mare!

The Ifor is really intended for 2x 15.2 TB types and have travelled two small horses like this very successfully, although I wont do it again as have discovered we would have been over weight.

We have had another mates 15.3 TB in it and he fitted and travelled comfortably tho, depends on the horse, you really need 7'6" headroom for a 16.2 and with most 3.5 tonne lorries would really only be able to take one horse. Some of the Renault masters you see which are like a converted van claim to take 2 big horses within the weight limit but Im very sceptical about that.

I would insist on weighing it first, try test driving it to a local weigh bridge if you can.
 
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