3.5t Horsebox - advise

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Trottingalong

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I need to upgrade from a trailer to a lorry due to the distances we travel, and wanting my lad in a box rather than a trailer on the motorway, as well as other reasons.

We want to get a 3.5t lorry, and were wondering whether I'm just looking in the wrong places. Is it possible to get one that will take two horses for under £10,000? Ideally wanting a minimum of 1500kg payload.

Thank you in advance
 
They don't exist, that's why you are having trouble with finding one :) You will seriously struggle to find one with a payload of 1500 kg, and if it has it, it probably is missing some important bits, like reinforced bulkhead or solid floor to make it lighter.
In the £10K bracket you are really looking at old campaigners (which will be heavier) or converted vans that are not coachbuilt.
 
Thanks Martlin, That's what my post was for.

If we have to go down the route of a converted van, then we are happy to do so, and any vehicle will be prechecked anyway and we do not mind the older vehicle

The lorries are available well constructed under the 1500kg payload though, as I have hired several and borrowed one from a friend. So know they exist. But to be honest, we could get away with 2000kg, as that would leave us 1500kg and the longer journeys where more kit / people maybe required, there will only be one horse.
 
Trottingalong said:
Thanks Martlin, That's what my post was for.

If we have to go down the route of a converted van, then we are happy to do so, and any vehicle will be prechecked anyway and we do not mind the older vehicle

The lorries are available well constructed under the 1500kg payload though, as I have hired several and borrowed one from a friend. So know they exist. But to be honest, we could get away with 2000kg, as that would leave us 1500kg and the longer journeys where more kit / people maybe required, there will only be one horse.
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You are confusing me, or yourself with your term payload. Payload is the difference between the actual weight of the lorry and 3500kg.
I'mm intrigued now, name some of them lorries with such payloads that exist, I might buy myself one :)
 
I understand Payload to being the weight of the vehicle without horses. Am I wrong?

I'm starting to regret asking for advise now!

But so you know the lorries I have hired are Vauxhall movano, 2 Horse box, 3.5 ton Lorry from a very respectable hirer. My friend also has one that has a low unloaded weight too!
 
I've just put down a deposit for one to be built. Mine is on a Renault Master chassis which are normally not new but has acceptable mileage. When it's finished, the unladen weight will be 2300kgs so gives you 1200kgs. Depending on your horse size this may mean its not suitable for 2 horses once you have your tack, equipment, people and petrol etc.on board.
These small boxes are in high demand and are around £15,000 upwards newly converted. If you want to travel 2 large horses or your fan club then an older, larger box might suit you better. Hope this helps!:)
 
Thanks Cavalo Branco, that's what I was starting to believe, but just wanted advise.

Haha! Fan club! I wish, it's usually always me and my mother, but now and again when the hubby isn't on call for the fire service, he comes too.
 
Trottingalong said:
I understand Payload to being the weight of the vehicle without horses. Am I wrong?

I'm starting to regret asking for advise now!

But so you know the lorries I have hired are Vauxhall movano, 2 Horse box, 3.5 ton Lorry from a very respectable hirer. My friend also has one that has a low unloaded weight too!
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What you call payload is actually unladen vehicle weight - you deduct that from the lorry's GVW of 3.5t to get figure of called payload.
For example, an unconverted Vauxhall Movano has a rough kerb weight of just under 1600kg, then you need to reinforce the bulkhead, put a ramp in, horse friendly floor and whatever other bits and pieces you want/need. If you get all that within 400kg, it's doubtful it will be strong enough to actually carry horses.
 
You will not find a good 3.5t horsebox with a payload of more than 1300kg. They do not exist.

I would seriously question anyone advertising a higher payload than this... for one it is almost physically impossible, and secondly you would not want to put one horse let alone two big ones in!!!

The van conversions rather than the coachbuilt are *usually* lighter, with some exceptions. For example I think Boss Horseboxes make a coachbuilt with lightweight panels which comes in with a 1250-1300kg payload.

Don't forget that most 'payloads' are calculated without a partition, tank of fuel, driver or spare tyre so ensure that you take it to a weighbridge yourself.

We have a newly converted Renault Master van conversion for sale at the moment, very basic (upholstered benches in the living area) but safe and sturdy. Including fuel, spare tyre and partition, it has a payload of 1140kg. You could carry two 500kg 16hh TB types in it as long as you were seriously careful with anything else you were to carry. You would be AMAZED how quickly things add up.

You can't have it all ways. If you want a strong, sturdy box that is going to protect both you and a horse to the best of it's ability in an accident, you are not going to get one of these stupidly high payloads.

If you are willing to compromise on safety, you may find them out there but it most certainly will not have a reinforced bulkhead/reinforced floor, which are absolutely vital in case of an accident. Even if your horse is a seasoned traveller, you could still find yourself with 2 horses sat on your lap if you are involved in an accident and don't have a suitably reinforced bulkhead.

These boxes simply aren't designed to carry two big horses. You will always be worrying about weight, if your insurance is valid etc etc. Plus I would be getting seriously miffed about not being able to take lots of bits and pieces out with me... At a push you could have the box uprated to 3.9t (however will need plating and will need with Grandfathers Rights or a further test) and then you can be more fussy with reinforcements.

In your position I would look at either getting a trailer and a suitable towing vehicle, or doing your test in order to get a 5/6.5t. :)
 
That's very useful advice Montanna, yes, the reinforced bulkhead is critical for safety. I wouldn't be happy buying a 3.5 box too cheaply as many businesses are now doing these conversions and may well be cutting corners. I only travel one of my horses and usually go solo ( sad I know but my friends all have transport!) so don't feel concerned about the weight, more that my horse will travel backwards!!! :eek:
 
Trottingalong said:
I need to upgrade from a trailer to a lorry due to the distances we travel, and wanting my lad in a box rather than a trailer on the motorway, as well as other reasons.

We want to get a 3.5t lorry, and were wondering whether I'm just looking in the wrong places. Is it possible to get one that will take two horses for under £10,000? Ideally wanting a minimum of 1500kg payload.

Thank you in advance
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Unfortunately you won't find a 3.5t box with 1500kg payload. I was in a situation where I wanted to take two horses out with me and I ended up opting for taking my trailer test and going with a trailer so I could safely carry two. If you're not restricted by your licence to driving bigger than 3.5t but didnt want such an expense with a 7.5t, then definitely look at the 3.9t - equi trek do some nice boxes. However I think your £10k budget is a little small for a decent 3.5t box that takes the larger payloads (like 1300kg) like the Boss Horseboxes.
 
Agree with everybody else... well made, safe boxes with that Payload do not exist. We have a 3.5t, older renault master up for 4k. It will happily carry 1 x 16.3hh, anymore than that, no way. I really wish people wouldn't say in adverts for these boxes that they 'carry 2 16.2hh's'. They don't, yes you may fit them in but not legally or safely.
 
You will not get a well made 3.5 ton horsebox which has a payload of greater than 1.20 Kg. You are in reality restricted to one horse or possibly two Shetland ponies but not two horses.
Please be aware that if you go over the 3.5kg this will have a detrimental effect on the vehicles driving and safety characteristics and if you are stopped and put on a weighbridge the penalty will be a serious fine etc.
 
Thank you everyone, you have given me the food for thought that I needed.

And I would never risk the safety of my horses! Hence why I came on here for advise to see what others had etc
 
Ditto "the wife" I have an 04 renault master van convo. Yes, I can load 2 x 16.2 hunter types but they would have to propel themseves along on fumes!!! I travel one 14.2 native, half a tank of fuel, tack, water, me and occasionally oh and his pushbike, no room for another pony. Doesnt bother me cos I only have the one but I do think the adverts for these boxes are quite misleading to the uneducated. Its all about the weight, not the capacity. The payload, as I understand it, is the difference between the overall weight (so 3.5t) and what is left when you subtract the weight of the van itself. Generally with the van convos that leaves around 1.1t and that has to include horse, you, all equipment, fuel and water carried.
 
You could always buy a 3.5ton van conversion and then get it uprated to a 3.9ton. Although this would mean that it has to be plated instead of MOT'd (more expensive), I'm not sure whether anything physically has to be changed on the box or whether it is just a paperwork issue. This extra .4 of a ton would mean realistically that you could travel two horses safely and legally.
 
I have a 3.5 renault master 2007 - its a Alexanders 'Cheltenham' . Its very good and will legally take 2 x 14'2 plus me but there is NO weight spare then for tack, kit, passengers etc so another car to come is needed...fine for nearby events but no good if you're travelling long distances! Also although it is just within weight its not nice to drive fully loaded especially down hills and bends... With one horse in its great but if you want to travel two then like others have said I really don't think these are 'proper' two horse boxes...
 
Hi jumping onto a thread here but I am looking for a 3.5 Horsebox and to upgrade to 3.9 my budget is around 25k can anyone suggest any good makes?
Also has anyone heard of Aston Reid horseboxes?
Many thanks
 
Sarahbird77 we have a brand new no expense spared vehicle that's for sale as our horse had to be PTS. It's never had a horse in it. Stunning! My partner is engineer based so everything is very strong but lightweight.
 
As most people are saying there is not a 3.5 ton lorry that can carry two horses as opposed to two ponies. Several people are saying they would not compromise their horse's safety but actually I would question why anyone would compromise other road user's safety. You all took a test for your car so get out there and get the necessary qualifications to drive a legal lorry.
 
I'm looking at the moment and getting so peed off with people who don't know what the payload is. I messaged about one today, an older ldv, and was told she didn't know, and wouldn't get it weighed because it was fine pulling 2....
I suspect it would be close to the limit with 1 16.2.
 
chocolategirl said:
Sorry to pee on your parade! But there isn't a 3.5 ton 'lorry' that can legally and safely carry 2 horses.
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This is absolutely right! The best payload you will get is around 1200kg but on some it is considerably less. Be very careful because some people advertise that their 3.5 ton can carry up to 2 x 16h2" which to be honest is dangerously untrue. Just because you can physically get 2 horses in does not mean it will be legal. You may be able to carry a couple of ponies but only ONE HORSE!!
 
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