3.5t horseboxes I need some guidance

[Horseymumma]

I'm thinking about purchasing a horsebox so I don't have to rely on my OH to drive us in our trailer but I don't know where to begin.
I've seen plenty of van conversions on eBay and such places but are some better than others?
If you own or have owned one, I'd love for you to tell me your experiences and if there are things that I should look out for when buying one. Thanks

 

[L&M]

I have a renault master van conversion and love it.

There are quality conversions, and ones done on the cheap, so try to find a reputable maker and be prepared to pay a decent price. I bought mine off a chap that worked for Three Counties Horseboxes - they have a very good website that will give you an idea on what a decent conversion looks like.

Things to look for are a re-inforced bulkhead, removable breast bar, ventilation windows and ceiling vents, and a good solid floor.

Another thing to consider is payload - mine is 1200kg so can carry my 15hh and son's 13.2hh plus all equipment comfortably, but don't believe any one that says they can carry 2 x 16.2hh's.

Good luck in your search and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

 

[ROG]

I'm thinking about purchasing a horsebox so I don't have to rely on my OH to drive us in our trailer

In most cases only one horse can be arried due to the weight limit (GVW)

Why does OH have to do the towing ?

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The Renault master types have a nice low floor so nice shallow ramp. However this is possible because there isn't anything underneath driving the rear wheels, ie front wheel drive which could be a bit less good in a muddy or slippery field. And not so suitable for off Tarmac potholed tracks due to the low floor. If those things aren't so much of an issue eg if for on Tarmac use then they are very good.

You can tell I live on a potholed off road track can't you ))

There are very very few that could take two equines unless the second one is a Falabella and remain legal once you have driver and fuel and tack on board.

 

[Tobiano]

Yes I definitely agree with the payload point. I had my 3.5 tonne uprated to 3.9 tonnes but this means it is speed limited to 56 mph and also you need to take a test to drive it. (I dont as I am ancient). But don't try to take 2 horses in a 3.5 tonne. (Or I might add, quite a few 7.5 tonnes).

 

[Horseymumma]

Thanks everyone, this payload was something I was worried about. I only have the one horse but don't want to limit myself having to go everywhere alone.

OH has to tow because I missed out on the trailer being on licences automatically by a couple of years and also because even if it was on there, I am rather rubbish at towing and don't trust myself. I've driven a few vans in the past so thought I may find it easier.

I did find one that has a payload of 1400kg but from what you've said so far it sounds like even that wouldn't be enough for two large horses.

I might have to take the trailer test after all ....

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Thanks everyone, this payload was something I was worried about. I only have the one horse but don't want to limit myself having to go everywhere alone.

OH has to tow because I missed out on the trailer being on licences automatically by a couple of years and also because even if it was on there, I am rather rubbish at towing and don't trust myself. I've driven a few vans in the past so thought I may find it easier.

I did find one that has a payload of 1400kg but from what you've said so far it sounds like even that wouldn't be enough for two large horses.

I might have to take the trailer test after all ....

1400 in theory might be enough - although it sounds an unusually high figure for a 3.5T but (big but) boxes are generally plated prior to almost everything being inside it, even partitions, living built in stuff, fuel, everything. So a weighbridge would be the only way to tell what it actually weighs with everything on board but the horse, and then add what the horse/s weigh.

If your horses will travel ok in trailers then cost and flexibility wise it might be worth doing the trailer test as it would be nice for you not feel like you can't tow, you could tick that off your list!!

I only take my 14.2 Haflinger in my 3.5 t box. The 17 hand oldie would only go in it if he had to go to horsepital and even then only if he was ill enough to be all droopy to fit in without folding him up )

 

[Holly Hocks]

The Renault master types have a nice low floor so nice shallow ramp. However this is possible because there isn't anything underneath driving the rear wheels, ie front wheel drive which could be a bit less good in a muddy or slippery field. And not so suitable for off Tarmac potholed tracks due to the low floor. If those things aren't so much of an issue eg if for on Tarmac use then they are very good.

You can tell I live on a potholed off road track can't you ))

There are very very few that could take two equines unless the second one is a Falabella and remain legal once you have driver and fuel and tack on board.

I agree with all this - they are crap on mud and wet grass - I got stuck in mine at a show last year and we were only about 10 feet off the track - the marshall told me where to park - I told him we would get stuck. He said we wouldn't. We got stuck. Apart from that they're great vehicles.

 

[pipsqueek]

I have had my 3.5t Renault Master for around 5yrs, (R reg) but it had @187,000 miles on the clock when I bought it & when it came due for it's mot a year later it failed & they told me it would be better to put a new engine in it (which we did) at a cost of nearly what it cost to purchase the bloomin thing in the first place! So just be wary of mileage & also check for rusting around the sills (failed its mot last year on this & costly to put right). They are also useless to drive on grass when it has rained a bit or in the mud. Would only recommend for one horse or two small ponies, mine had a partition but we took it out. Aside from that it is easy to drive, like driving a car, good on diesel consumption & I do really like it!!

 

[ROG]

I only have the one horse but don't want to limit myself having to go everywhere alone.

OH has to tow because I missed out on the trailer being on licences automatically by a couple of years ......

I might have to take the trailer test after all ....

For only one horse you can tow on a B licence but if for two horses then deffo need a B+E

Check out posts 999 and 1000 in the HHO TOWING CLINIC thread - link in my signature below

 

[horsesatemymoney]

ROG is the b licence the normal post 1997 one?

 

[amandaco2]

Check the floor, bulkhead and payloads. Also be aware some horses can jump into the grooms area and get stuck......

 

[eggs]

As others have said, reinforced bulkhead and payload. If rear facing I would also want a breast bar that is easy to remove or a rear door wide enough to get a horse out of if it tried to go over the great bar.

Unless you know what you are doing I wouldn't buy off eBay. In general you tend to get what you pay for and a low cost box could easily end up costing you much more or be unsuitable.

 

[spookypony]

I have a Transit conversion (coach built). Much higher up than the Renault, and has coped well with fields and potholes thus far. It doesn't have a breast bar at the back: the whole area where that would be is closed off, accessible only from the back as a massive tack locker (big enough to sleep in with a single mattress, that's how massive!). It's been a cheap, efficient runner so far, and can go on a ferry for the price of a car rather than a trailer or lorry! It's meant to have a payload of about 1.1. I've taken out the partition (use it to move timpani and harpsichords too often), and want to replace it with a lighter, less awkward partition, which should help with the payload. Have travelled one 17hh in it alone with no problems. It's very very basic, but does the trick for me.

 

[Horseymumma]

You've all been a great help, thanks. It's given me a lot to think about.

For those of you who use trailers, do you find them relatively easy to tow?

Or if you have taken the test, how was it? Makes me think back to my driving test hope it's not as bad as that was! (Took me 4 attempts before I finally passed!)

 

[ROG]

ROG is the b licence the normal post 1997 one?

Yes

Or if you have taken the test, how was it? Makes me think back to my driving test hope it's not as bad as that was! (Took me 4 attempts before I finally passed!)

The road drive is same as car test but with a trailer

Remember that for this test you are already a driver so it will be different

 

[cornbrodolly]

We have a Vauxhall mirvana [?] conversion done by Thoroughbred horseboxes in Cheshire. fantastic - cant fault it. Having had 3 7 tonner w ed never go back. Ecomonical and easy to drive, and safe arrangement - facing back, but blank wall just infornt of them so cant fall into tack area.
Takes 2 show cobs . Whizzes along at 55mph and gets better mpg than our car! Throughbred can do no frills boxes, as ours is , but that doesnt mean they are poor quality, you just pay extra for paint spray etc. Also Alexander boxes, near us in yorks, do lovely boxes, but are dearer byfar.