3.5T Horseboxes

[dressager]

Hiya, sorry to bore everyone as I'm sure the subject of 3.5T boxes has been exhausted! But I'm looking to buy my first box (passed driving test after 1997) and have looked at numerous companies like Marlborough, Maneline and 3 Counties. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these van conversions, for instance 3 Counties (http://www.3countieshorseboxes.co.uk/default.asp?pagesID=6) is making a model with 7'10" height so a 17hh would be comfortable (if not bigger!) I am tempted as:

a) They seem reasonably priced
b) They are cheap to run
c) Slightly more payload than a coachbuilt
d) They have masses of headroom!

But I don't know anyone who actually has one, so part of me is tempted to go with a coachbuilt! I currently only need to travel one 15.3hh TB type horse (plus a Shetland companion!) but when he retires I would be looking for something bigger. Only need a basic box for local shows at the moment.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[juliehannah58]

Hiya

I have one that has the extra head room van conversion, I think it's much smarter than the 3 counties one! Had it for about 16 months now and pleased as punch with it. It has 7'10" of head room and we have travelled a 17.2hh in there with acres of space. They are light too, ours is only 2150kg unladen, giving us enough weight to take our 16.1 hannoverin and our 15.2 cob x tb. Cheap to run (a tank is about £40 and does about 250miles) and insure as I'm only 21 and think we pay about £300 fully comp with NFU. Totally easy to drive and handle, just like a car really and all our horses travel brillantly in it, as they have the windows to look out of and they love it! Nosey neds.

We used to have a VW LT35 and this is no comparison really, I can't rate the Renault masters enough. We had ours built for us in Swanley

Here it is:

 

[dressager]

Thank you so much for your reply, I think I am convinced now! Wow, that is a nice conversion and I agree, looks very smart. I was a bit dubious about the "added on" part of the 3-Counties one, looks a bit odd. I'm sure they will refine it in time.

Swanley how random! That is very close to me. Could you pass on the details of who built it please, if they still do them.

Thanks again!

 

[mrdarcy]

I know the person who owns the 3 Counties box you linked to... yes the actual box in the photo!

She's very happy with it... travels her 17.hh very solid TB in it. I've not travelled in it but have been inside. It's very well built and feels nice and solid. I was quite taken when I saw it and if we get rid of our 7.5t'er would definitely consider one of the 3 Counties conversions

 

[Hayleycob]

I have a converson (without the extra bit as on the web site) love it ! love it ! drives like a car, enough space in the back for lots of "essentials", horses seem happy in it. Everywhere we go someone comes up to talk to us as they can't believe the size of horse you can get in there. And best of all anyone stuck behind us on the road gets the pleasure of seeing the horses looking through the rear window !!!