3.5t horseboxes, probably a silly question

L

Louby

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2005
Messages
6,591
Visit site
Been chatting tonight about these as Im hoping to sell my wagon and buy a 3.5t but it was brought up about big horses and axles, chassis of the smaller wagons. Someone 'in the know' had looked into them and said that really they arent capable of carrying big horses weight wise,stability wise and that the chassis and axles just arent designed to take the weight and its got me thinking a bit. They ended up buying a 5t wagon instead. Maybe its a misunderstanding as the person wasnt there and what they actually meant was what weight they can take as in only one large horse but it was also mentioned about axles snapping.
So does anyone else think this or know of a problem with larger horses in the smaller 3.5t wagon. I know loads of people love them and use them but just wondered if anyone in the know actually knew if there was any truth in this.
 
We had a 16.3hh and a 15.3hh in a theault one the other day and it drove like a dream(nicer than my car
smile.gif
) This one is quite pared down so no tack lockers ,seats in the back etc so we were fine weight wise - its when you start seeing 3.5t with 'living' in the back that the weight starts to be an issue.
 
We have a lovely Renault Master, 3.5T, coach built. We have had one large 17hh horse in it and two smaller 15hh-ers max in it. It drives actually the same. So I think it may depend on the box but if built professionally you should have absolutely no problems.
 
I'm a bit heeby about single axle boxes I am afraid
smirk.gif
I know alot of people get on with them without a problem, so think they must be ok, but my 3.5ton is twin axle. the only downside with it is it is higher up so maybe not as stable.... its 6 of one and half a dozen of another I guess....
 
Thanks for the replies.
I was thinking more on the lines of the chassis, not the build as in are they really capable of carrying a large horse as afterall they werent really made by the manufacturer with that in mind.
I suppose answering my own question here
crazy.gif
a 7.5t fully laden with 3 horses etc is similar??? Mmmm, ok I'll shut up, hadnt thought of it that way.
grin.gif

The Theault was also mentioned as the best arround with a larger payload but sadly I cant afford one of them
frown.gif
and I dont think Ive ever seen a 2nd hand one.)
 
they are pretty rare but fab boxes - i steal mine from the trainer that used to do my ex racer so can get away with a bit of a sympathy vote there as well - what sort of budget hve you got??
 
This is how I see it ... on a 3.5 ton the chassis is built to carry 3.5 ton the body builder and the user must take into account how much is carrried by each axle it may be ok as a total but to much on the back for instance so its important to weigh it... before you buy... most seem to have a total payload of about 1200 kg there is no reason why you would have any problems so long as you dont exceed the rated loads..you should be ok with one big horse or two ponys, you, tack, feed/water, your food and a passinger if the design is right and takes into consideration how the load is spread between the axles...
smile.gif
hope this helps
 
Yes your right thanks, I would want one that had been professionally done so there shouldnt be a problem. I hadnt give it a thought before tonight as I would only carry one horse anyway.
 
There's a bloke near us who makes 3.5 ton boxes. He doesn't advertise and wins all his business through word of mouth
smile.gif
He says they are fine for 2 big horses height wise but not really suitable for 2 big horses that are also big build, such as IDs .

I've seen a couple of the boxes he's sold and he certainly makes a good job of them.

Not sure about price though.
 
You might want to bookmark this page: UK 2nd hand Theault agent

They hire them out on a daily, weekly, monthly basis so you can check to see that they really do what you want. I've hired from them on several occasions and did consider buying one when I bought my latest lorry but decided that although the big lorry can't actually carry the three horses she's stalled for due to weight the comfort of the living was important as I'm getting on a bit now.
 
The lorry should be built to carry a load to a maximum of 3.5 ton (lorry weigh + load) and a large number of "white vans" that builders use them day in day out up to weigh with no problems. I think that the problem comes when people see that 2 large horse fit in it but dont take into account that they are massively over their weigh limit. I have a pay load of just under 1.2ton which isnt much really, even 2 15HH are about a ton. So I only take 2 if Im not carrying tack water and extra people as it soon adds up. I only have one horse so is perfect for me, it I take another horse then they have a car with all the tack etc.
m xx
 
i dont know, i just know i didnt like the rear facing and the second top door in them...i have a 6.5 ton iveco daily 2 horse forward facing and living. it drives like a dream and i love my box. the horse is 16.3hh 700kg horse, i wouldnt want to see her in a 3.5 ton.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top