3.5t lorrys.Whats hot/not.

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rema

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What is there choice wise?.And Do they make any that will fit a 17hh middleweight hunter in?.Can you down rate a 6.5t to a 3.5t?.What are the ball park figures for buying a "older" lorry.Sorry for all the questions i am just interested on what options there are?.Thanks.
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No you cant downrate a 6.5 tonne to a 3.5.
Yes you will find one that will fit a 17hh horse but you will have to travel it alone as you wont find one with a big enough payload to carry large horse, another horse, tack, you, water etc etc.

most 3.5 have a 1.1tonne payload.

Older lorries range from about 7k id say for a decent one that hopefully wont die on you.

Personally i prefer the renault masters as they are low lying and so the centre of gravity is lower and therfore more stable. However Vauxhall movanos are also ok... personally wouldnt go for a VWLT 35 for a horse (rather than a pony) as they have a higher wheelbase so a little less stable.

in a renault master You will prob want a long wheelbase to allow for enough breast to tail length and a 7ft2 or above height wise (mine is 7ft10 i think).

Most travel rear facing, side ramp, changing area in the back, older ones dont tend to have tack lockers, some have. Some have wardrobes, some a mini kitechen, however because you want to carry a heavy horse id go for one with as little in the back as poss to give you a greater payload... um, what else do you want to know?

(have a look at www.freewebs.com/traveltwo theres lots on there and info too) I spoke to polly quite a bit and she was very helpful (howvere decided to go for a new build not from her in the end).
 
Only advice from my mechanic other half is to remember that some of them are vans not lorries and will age far quicker than a lorry and have far less stability and pulling power. If buying a van type box go for as new as possible.
We borrowed one to take an injured horse to hospital as ramp on our box too steep, and we found it very unstable with a 17.2 on. The suspension was suffering with carrying one horse on one side all the time.
 
I rented a 3.5 ton lorry last weekend and I loved it!! I don't have a towing licence and can only drive up to 3.5 on my licence so can't go any bigger. the ramp was on the side and only went half way up the side of the box - the top half you slid back. I loved it as I managed the ramp by myself and my horse went in which is a miracle as normally it takes abt an hour to get her in!!
 
I ahve a LDV which although is high up in coomparison to the Masters, is double axle and and designed more like a small lorry. My 16.2hh travels very well in it, but it took me ages to find anything with over 7ft headroom and a side ramp. My mechanic says out of those and the VW, mine is the better choice as although not as smart, is much tougher and also parts are cheaper, so is easier to maintain. Love mine, but G horse is outgrowng it
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Bite the bullet and take your C1 Test it's easy, If you are 18 years old and have full uk car license, then see your doctor for a medical, 2 days training and bob's your uncle. If you can drive a car then you can drive a category C1 truck. 3.5 ton trucks do not have enough unladen weight to carry large horses around corners safely. 7.5 tonners have bigger engines that last longer ie 350,000 to 400,000 before major rebuilds.
 
The Theault 3.5 are fantastic. Steady as a rock on the road. Dont like the George Smith ones though - I found them much less stable. Also they are front facing and rear better. Dont like many of the conversions. Would rather have 3rd hand Theault than a new conversion. Not cheap though!
 
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The Theault 3.5 are fantastic. Steady as a rock on the road. Dont like the George Smith ones though - I found them much less stable. Also they are front facing and rear better. Dont like many of the conversions. Would rather have 3rd hand Theault than a new conversion. Not cheap though!

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I've a George Smith 6.5 box (built on the Renault Mascott chassis http://www.georgesmithhorseboxes.co.uk/CHALL-DELUX/chall2deluxphoto4.htm ) and I have to say it's great. My 16.2 horse travelled well and even when she had her head up she was no way near to touching the ceiling. It can fit a 17.2 horse easily.

It's everything I want in a lorry - the only thing is the ramp is a little steep but I (and horse) have gotten use to it now. I wouldn't swap it for Theault anyday! What puts me off theault is it's not intergrated from the cab to the living and the horses.
 
We brought ours from Polly Xanthos (traveltwo)- she was most helpful, and honest - there was a good selection. They delivered too - Our 3.5 lorry is on an N reg van 2.2lt engine (i think) and was coachbuilt - my 16.2 travels happy as larry all over the place, plus we have also taken a friend in it too - he is 17.2 TB and he had lots of room head wise and length way too!!! only thing I would say is that engine then struggled a little on hills but that was two up and 3 passengers (so v near top end of our pay load) but its great to know mum and I can go off - one up with all the kit we need and not be over weight.
I was sceptical about them as we had had a large Mercedes Lorry before. but I have been converted - easiest to drive - turn manage on your own etc etc etc - I would never have anything else now (unless of course I win the lottery and go eventing etc with 3 or more horses!)
Polly and her husband made a few amendments we wanted added - it was brilliantly done - cant recommend them more - they are based Camarthan in S.Wales.
 
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