3.5t horsebox question

H

Hannah23

New User
Joined
3 February 2016
Messages
5
Visit site
After ages of counting the pennies I am finally looking for my first horsebox. I am looking for a 3.5t as I don't want to have to do another test but it seems the 3.5t market is a minefield! After looking at countless second hand lorries the amount of rust and corrosion on them is terrifying. So I am now weighing up the options of spending a bit more and getting a new conversion.

Now for my question. I understand the van conversions are simply the maxi roof vans (normally Renault master or Vauxhall movano) with the ramp fitted on the side where the sliding door originally was and the inside kitted out.

However the box van ones, coach built boxes, are these the original vans themselves that have just been converted, with the ramp added and inside kitted out, or do the converters place a new 'box' on the back and just use the original chassis and cab?

Just trying to get my head round my different options. My mare isn't the best traveller so I am wanting the safest option for her. I don't have any local converters round here so wanted to know a bit more info before travelling to look at some.

Thank you in advance!
 
While I agree that the older box market is a minefield dont disregard these out of hand. My very aged box had £1K worth of welding before I bought it and while the box looks like nothing on this earth I think someone would struggle to produce a modern box that is more sturdy and sound in the frame and panels

A few years back there was a case of a posh looking 3.5t being almost flattened by a larger lorry after it was hit - horse sadly didnt make it and the number of modern boxes I have seen with the flat glossy panel sides or backs ripped open in accidents runs well in to double figures and thats before you start on the ones where horses have ended up jammed in living areas and had to be cut out

I've also seen newly converted high top vans where the fancy looking recently installed interior panels have been removed to show hidden dangerously corroded areas

My advice would be not to rule out anything on age alone, invest the money in a really good and knowledgeable eagle eyed mechanic to come with you to viewings and go over the box thoroughly and possibly settle for a box that needs a bit of work but that will end up being a better box than others you have seen - sometimes because people dont want to undertake getting the work done you can walk away with a bargain knowing that your mechanic has a clear idea of the work and the costs involved
 
To answer your question, there are two types of 3.5 t, the first is like a regular van shape, and IMO can fit horses up to 16hh. The second has a squarer outline, a box van.

With the box vans, some have a conversion where the original outer is used, and the inner is reinforced with kick boards. Some, like mine (Bloomfields) have the back removed back to the cab and chassis and a new container fitted.

In any case, with a 3.5, I would go for the type where the horses are lowered between the wheels as this adds to stability, important as the vans are quite narrow for their height.

The barrier between the horse area and the cab is also important. Many are not strong enough. I chose mine as they had actually been tested in a lab crash type test.

They must also be ventilated well. Mine is 8ft high for larger horses, with a fan and skylight as well as 5 windows.

I also prefer those without a breast bar, which is not needed when they travel backwards and some horses will use them as a climbing frame! These type are generally called longstall, stallion boxes or professional, depending on the manufacturer.

In any case I would not have one with a door at the back that is not wide enough for the horse to exit out of in an emergency. Many horses have got stuck through seeing the outdoors and trying to fit through a gap that is too small.

Finally weight. Many older ones do not have the payload. In reality a 3.5 really only fits one horse, two people and all the associated tack, water, hay etc. Stripped down they may take 2 small horses, but in reality people take the kitchen sink to shows! I disregarded any box that I was not allowed to weigh.
 
WelshD said:
While I agree that the older box market is a minefield dont disregard these out of hand. My very aged box had £1K worth of welding before I bought it and while the box looks like nothing on this earth I think someone would struggle to produce a modern box that is more sturdy and sound in the frame and panels

A few years back there was a case of a posh looking 3.5t being almost flattened by a larger lorry after it was hit - horse sadly didnt make it and the number of modern boxes I have seen with the flat glossy panel sides or backs ripped open in accidents runs well in to double figures and thats before you start on the ones where horses have ended up jammed in living areas and had to be cut out

I've also seen newly converted high top vans where the fancy looking recently installed interior panels have been removed to show hidden dangerously corroded areas

My advice would be not to rule out anything on age alone, invest the money in a really good and knowledgeable eagle eyed mechanic to come with you to viewings and go over the box thoroughly and possibly settle for a box that needs a bit of work but that will end up being a better box than others you have seen - sometimes because people dont want to undertake getting the work done you can walk away with a bargain knowing that your mechanic has a clear idea of the work and the costs involved
Click to expand...


Thank you for replying. I am still looking at the second hand market in case anything catches my eye. With regard to the accident though, this was part of the reason for my question. The box vans, before conversion, seem quite flimsy and so this is why I wondered if they replace this with a new box on the back or if the existing back is used and converted inside?
 
We had a 3.5tonne Movano - we went for a new(ish) van which was then converted for us. There have been cases of horses trying to jump over the partition & getting stuck - a simple solution has been said to have a tie ring set low so they can't raise their heads up enough to jump over. We loved our little box - horses took a few attempts to get used to loading (going in & turning sideways, as they'd been used to a trailer) but travelled really well in it.
 
Thank you, this is really helpful. So some of the box vans are converted using the original backs, they are just reinforced with kick boards? I presume these are the low loader ones as the normal model seem to high to balance. The breast bar is another concern of mine, although I have seen some with anti weave grills up which I think seems a good idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top