3.5t horsebox owners..........

unfortunately this is the reason I wont entertain a transit type whatsoever. with 3.5tonners being so short in length you need them closer to the floor to stop they swaying. Shame as they do come up much cheaper!

Obviously bigger lorries are set higher off the floor but they have the length/size/weight behind them to stop any major sway.

Hope your hubby gets it sorted for you!
 
I have to agree with mychristmasangel. i was very dubious about getting one of these but I LOVE MINE. wouldnt swap for anything. I bought mine back from Rotherham about 50min drive from me down the motorway and didnt move at all. The ramp is on the passengers side so maybe this helps to balance out Mines a LDV Convoy with a new horsebox area. but i travel my 16.2 youngster in it and she travels great ive had no problems at all with it been wobberly when stationary. Granted you do have to go slower round sharpe bends but tbh i tend to go slower round them anyways as shes still getting her feet and im in no rush to get anywhere with neddy in back . Great little lorry and very very reliable great engines. im very happy with mine.
 
My Transit was built from new as a horsebox by one of the reputable companies and so had all the work done on uprating the suspension at time of build. It doesn't rok and roll and all the ponies have travelled very well in it.
 
I haven't had problems either. Mine has the ramp on the passenger side as well. Pony travels without a partition, loosely cross-tied, and I don't think he budges at all. Have traveled a 17hh with partition, and that wasn't a problem either.
 
Had a Transit/Ifor conversion, and it did rock. Was a nightmare on windy days, or with two on board (which in hindsight was probably overweight, but I was young and ignorant). Horse was a poor traveller in any lorry of that sort - fine as soon as he was in a 7.5ton.
 
I have a old H reg transit type which has quite a high centre of gravity, but it doesn't move when i'm in there on my own.

I'm careful and take corners steady.

But it does lean- I backed into a narrow gap a few weeks ago (unloaded) and as i drove out the weight shifted and i tore out the quarter panel of the car next to me :eek::eek::eek::eek: Not a mark on my box though :o
 
Thanks for all your advice guys. We are gonna try one of the horses in it when the breastbar is done on the weekend hopefully. If they travel fine without a partition i prob wont bother putting one in, i will have lots of room for tacking up inside then which is another advantage.

We are still gonna put the extra leaf springs on as everyone i have spoken to has said this will make a massive improvement.

Will keep you posted on what happens. Im hoping its sorted and fine by the 29th Jan as we have a dressage test booked :D
 
Another option would be to increase the size of the rubber bump stop. So when the weight of the horse is on, the leaf drops down onto the buffer. reducing the travel and sway.
 
i used to have an LDV sherpa lorry with a rear load, front unload style horse cab on the back. The horse area was sat above the wheels.
If was very high off the ground and like your it would rock with just the weight of a person moving around in it. When we were renovating it i was working inside it and my father was doing something on the outside. I ended up having to get out as all the movement was making me feel motion sick!

We sold that one (horse wouldnt go on!) and bought a renault master coachbuilt which was constructed AROUND the wheels so the horse area was very low to the ground. I never found this one to move about.

It is purely a centre of gravity issue in my opinion, but i have a trailer now so i dont have to worry :D
 
Is it a ford transit conversion, if so i had one that rocked, it was very top heavy, but only did local trips, but in an accident it did tip over and we lost the pony inside, would never get one again. The best 3.5 tonne is the rear facing low loaders as no rock at all, old ones are not good as have rust problems, would love a newer one but no money!! Did have a vwLt 35 and that didnt rock much at all and obviously was very neurotic having had very bad accident.
 
This is the lorry so you get an idea ;) Some things have changed since photo. It is now fully boarded and has windows not vents! ;)

2011-12-21153322.jpg

2011-12-21153305.jpg

2011-12-21153253.jpg
 
Mine is similiar to this in terms of ramp side and horses facing forward but mine will have approx 1m 30 - -2metres extra in lenth not sure if this will make a difference to how much the box sways.. tho.

Best thing like you say to do is try and and see how you feel :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top