3.5T horse lorries - experiences?

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I am looking for a 3.5T lorry - it will only need a 1 tonne payload as I will be transporting 1 or at the most 2 ponies who weigh less than 500kg each.

Previously I have had a VW LT35 old lorry which I loved - side ramp, huge roomy luton above the cab, cut through to the cab so you could see what the horses were doing. What experiences do people have of different types of 3.5T lorries please?

I hacked past someone unloading from a Renault Master lorry the other day and wasn't hugely impressed, it seemed to be rear unload only? I've also seen Ifor Williams trailer bodies put on a chassis which seemed to be too high and unstable?

I must emphasise I am at the VERY CHEAP end of the market - fortunately I have a friend who is a mechanic so I know he can make it safe and sound, that will be my priority not it looking smart or travelling them backwards/forwards/herringbone etc :)
 
I had a transit with an Ifor williams trailer on the back similar to what you describe. It was really reliable, plenty big enough with a big storage section over the cab etc. I loved it, but ultimately it seemed my boy did not. He became more and more reluctant to load - I tried everything, rode with him in it to evaluate his travel experience etc. we concluded that perhaps it was quite high, making the ramps quite steep and the ride a little less stable than it might have been. He now loads happily in the replacement trailer.
 
Thanks jojo that is really useful - I have always wondered about the steep ramps! I know there will be pros and cons for all makes and models, but trying to get as many options are possible to look at :)
 
Never seen one that was rear unload only before - mine was a side load which is the most common. I did love mine, and the low centre of gravity made it a much more stable ride for the pony. Although you say you only need a 1t payload I would still go for as much as possible, otherwise with tack and passengers etc you will be pushing it. I would also ensure that any one I bought had extra reinforcement between cab and horse area - the original Renault bulkhead is NOT enough.
 
You'll need more payload than 1t if you're taking two - the payload is the safe and legal weight available for *everything* - fuel, water, tack, grooming kit, picnic, humans and horses.
 
Ive got a Renault Master, its a side load, lovely low ramp and very balanced and grounded on the road, my boy will load himself if his hay is inside :) Ditto the payload thing, I only ever travel 1 x 14.2 but with tack and stuff, water, fuel and sometime OH and 1 small dog we are only just under, mind you we did fit a couple of cupboards and a small hob/sink in the back. A friend has a much older version of the same van and that is a rear unload, personally I dont like the look of it but she drives her TB all over the place in it and he travels really happily. Very economical on fuel and a doddle to drive, park and turn.
 
sidewaysonacob said:
You'll need more payload than 1t if you're taking two - the payload is the safe and legal weight available for *everything* - fuel, water, tack, grooming kit, picnic, humans and horses.
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Yes thanks I know that, I have had a lorry before.... I would be travelling with someone who would take all the kit in their 4x4
 
MyBoyChe said:
Ive got a Renault Master, its a side load, lovely low ramp and very balanced and grounded on the road, my boy will load himself if his hay is inside :) Ditto the payload thing, I only ever travel 1 x 14.2 but with tack and stuff, water, fuel and sometime OH and 1 small dog we are only just under, mind you we did fit a couple of cupboards and a small hob/sink in the back. A friend has a much older version of the same van and that is a rear unload, personally I dont like the look of it but she drives her TB all over the place in it and he travels really happily. Very economical on fuel and a doddle to drive, park and turn.
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Odd question but what sort of windows does it have? The Renault type ones always seem to be quite dark and gloomy inside whenever I have seen them, but I realise that it is impossible to say unless you've used one (which obviously I haven't!) :)
 
The issue with the Ifor Williams container fitted on a transit is that the Transit has a high centre of gravity and the whole thing rolls when you go round corners. They are ideal for Shetland Ponies.
The best chassis cab is the Renault master as they have a very low centre of gravity.
 
I have a Master which is side load, rear escape. They can be converted various ways from a very basic £2000 up. Master and Movano are big enough for 2 horses but not too heavy. Others vans may be ok for ponies though.
 
I have a renault master conversion, it is side load with large doors at the back, not a jockey door. It has windows either side of the back area and has plenty of space for tack etc. I travel a full up 16.2 and he loads and travels really well. The breast bar is very high, so it's unlikely that he would try to jump over it. It is very solidly constructed but I have two issues with it, the ramp is very heavy and the partition is fixed. if I were looking for another, I'd look for a lighter ramp and I'd like to be able to move the partition to make it wider or narrower (if you see what I mean). However, having had a trailer and a couple of 7.5's in the past, this is a dream to drive, cheap to run and my horse is happy in it. It has a 1.5 payload but is really only suitable for one big horse + tack et.
 
I currently own a renault master, but have had a transit conversion in the past.

Tbh if you have a limited budget, the transit conversions may be more in your price range. I loved my transit to drive but the downsides, as others have stated, is the steep ramp as is height of the container on the chassis. I also had a horse that did not like travelling/loading in it, and not as stable as my renault around corners/roundabouts etc. However it was hugely reliable and cheap to maintain and insure etc, and I bought it for £3500, so not a bank buster.

I now have a renault master van conversion - every horse (bar one but he had issues!!!) I have travelled in it and have been happy. Mine has a side ramp and would say a conversion with a rear ramp is very unusual. The payload is more generous than the transit - 1200kgs vs 900kgs, and again easy to drive and maintain.

However to get a decent van conversion, you need to have a budget of £6000 plus, and that will probably only get you an older model with high mileage. A more up to date one will cost between £8-£10k, with a coach built in excess of this.

If you do go for a master/movano conversion, please make sure it has a removable breast bar and the back door is wide enough to exit a horse in an emergency.

Hope that helps x
 
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PeterNatt said:
the whole thing rolls when you go round corners.
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Yeah, if you go hooning around at 70mph!

I have a transit and yes I can see his they seem unstable, but like any vehicle its how you drive it. Just take corners slow and they are fine. I rarely go above 50mph in mine anyway and have never felt like it's going to tip.

Like others have said, the transit is probably more in your price range and I prefer mine to the Renault type ones - I have loads of storage (a separate living) and it is herringbone which means I can have the partitions as wide or narrow as I like. I do only ever travel 1 x 14.2, or 2 x shetlands though.
 
oldie48 said:
I have a renault master conversion, it is side load with large doors at the back, not a jockey door. It has windows either side of the back area and has plenty of space for tack etc. I travel a full up 16.2 and he loads and travels really well. The breast bar is very high, so it's unlikely that he would try to jump over it. It is very solidly constructed but I have two issues with it, the ramp is very heavy and the partition is fixed. if I were looking for another, I'd look for a lighter ramp and I'd like to be able to move the partition to make it wider or narrower (if you see what I mean). However, having had a trailer and a couple of 7.5's in the past, this is a dream to drive, cheap to run and my horse is happy in it. It has a 1.5 payload but is really only suitable for one big horse + tack et.
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Thanks oldie48 that is really helpful :)
 
L&M said:
I currently own a renault master, but have had a transit conversion in the past.

Tbh if you have a limited budget, the transit conversions may be more in your price range. I loved my transit to drive but the downsides, as others have stated, is the steep ramp as is height of the container on the chassis. I also had a horse that did not like travelling/loading in it, and not as stable as my renault around corners/roundabouts etc. However it was hugely reliable and cheap to maintain and insure etc, and I bought it for £3500, so not a bank buster.

I now have a renault master van conversion - every horse (bar one but he had issues!!!) I have travelled in it and have been happy. Mine has a side ramp and would say a conversion with a rear ramp is very unusual. The payload is more generous than the transit - 1200kgs vs 900kgs, and again easy to drive and maintain.

However to get a decent van conversion, you need to have a budget of £6000 plus, and that will probably only get you an older model with high mileage. A more up to date one will cost between £8-£10k, with a coach built in excess of this.

If you do go for a master/movano conversion, please make sure it has a removable breast bar and the back door is wide enough to exit a horse in an emergency.

Hope that helps x
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Very helpful indeed thanks L&M :)
 
ROG said:
For the extra tack etc you could tow a 750 kg MAM trailer behind the 3.5 tonner on your B licence
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I am Really Old so I have all the licence whatsits I need....I could tow a trailer and drive a 7.5 ton without passing any other test? Mind you I did pass my cat A test first time last year, very proud of that...

I know I am going to get screamed at for this, but I assume there are still no estate cars that would tow a trailer with a 500kg pony in it? :) :)
 
ROG said:
There are plenty of estate cars even 4x4 estate cars that can tow two horses in a horse trailer
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I have a VW Passat estate - W reg (2000) - 1896cc diesel TDI.... would I find the towing capacity in the handbook?

Oh - and am I likely to burn the clutch out if I'm not careful? :D
 
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Just to add, the windows in my Renault are the little oval ones that slide open. It also has a skylight/roof vent which is opaque. There are no windows in the back doors, tbh Im not sure Id want him to be able to see straight out or people to see in. If you travel in daylight its fine, plenty of light comes in and obviously with them open and the roof vent open plenty of fresh air as well.
 
PeterNatt said:
Lévrier;12865512 said:
I know I am going to get screamed at for this, but I assume there are still no estate cars that would tow a trailer with a 500kg pony in it? :) :)
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I'd take our 56 plate Mondeo base level 2l diesel estate, towing a lightweight trailer, over a 3.5T transit lorry any day :). Ours has a towing limit (listed in the handbook) of 1800kg, so could tow our Ifor 510 (1000 kg) plus 800 kg for horse and associated stuff. Though in RL, I would only do so in a fairly flat area.

I towed with various cars for many years before getting a Shogun, it's perfectly possible :).
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MyBoyChe said:
Just to add, the windows in my Renault are the little oval ones that slide open. It also has a skylight/roof vent which is opaque. There are no windows in the back doors, tbh Im not sure Id want him to be able to see straight out or people to see in. If you travel in daylight its fine, plenty of light comes in and obviously with them open and the roof vent open plenty of fresh air as well.
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Thanks MyBoyChe that is really encouraging news and very helpful :)
 
Tiddlypom said:
PeterNatt said:
I'd take our 56 plate Mondeo base level 2l diesel estate, towing a lightweight trailer, over a 3.5T transit lorry any day :). Ours has a towing limit (listed in the handbook) of 1800kg, so could tow our Ifor 510 (1000 kg) plus 800 kg for horse and associated stuff. Though in RL, I would only do so in a fairly flat area.

I towed with various cars for many years before getting a Shogun, it's perfectly possible :).
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Ah pants I have just googled my own car - braked trailer weight is 1400kg so not do-able :( Never mind, nice try :D :D
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Lévrier;12865525 said:
I have a VW Passat estate - W reg (2000) - 1896cc diesel TDI.... would I find the towing capacity in the handbook?

Oh - and am I likely to burn the clutch out if I'm not careful? :D
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The towing capacity of a vehicle is designed not to damage any of the vehicle components - only the driver can do that !!

To find the towing capacity -
Check the V5 keepers doc under max braked towing weight
or
Find the weight plate which is usually hidden under the bonnet or in a door frame and deduct the top of the 4 figures from the second figure


If a trailer weighs 900 empty and you have two horses weighing 500 each then a towing capacity of 2000 would be ok but I would prefer one about 2200 for that weight so it has plenty in reserve

The other thing to be aware of is that if the car weighs 1600 empty and you load 200 in it that makes it 1800 so you would be towing a 1900 trailer with a 1800 car and although that is legal and safe it is not really advisable
 
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I have a 3.5t transit box but its built on the chassis as opposed to having a container added so much lower than the Ifor ones, the ramp is not steep at all. Its rear unload (or could be changed to herringbone) its definitely not as narrow and tall as the Ifor container versions.

It did feel terribly unsteady at first but it turned out to have a puncture on an inside rear tyre, its now got two new tyres and had a full balance at a garage and is so much better to drive now.

it cost £1500 plus £800 in mechanical repairs so a very cheap way of getting on the road, its not the best looking lorry in the world but has been refitted with lighter fittings and so has just under a tonne payload which is decent
 
WelshD said:
I have a 3.5t transit box but its built on the chassis as opposed to having a container added so much lower than the Ifor ones, the ramp is not steep at all. Its rear unload (or could be changed to herringbone) its definitely not as narrow and tall as the Ifor container versions.

It did feel terribly unsteady at first but it turned out to have a puncture on an inside rear tyre, its now got two new tyres and had a full balance at a garage and is so much better to drive now.

it cost £1500 plus £800 in mechanical repairs so a very cheap way of getting on the road, its not the best looking lorry in the world but has been refitted with lighter fittings and so has just under a tonne payload which is decent
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That sounds just what I am looking for WelshD - can I buy it from you please? :p :D :D
 
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