3.5T payload expectations

[throwaway2022]

Hi all! After my single trailer was stolen last week, I'm now transport-less I can't afford anything just yet but will hopefully be able to before the year is out, decided to do a bit of research to take my mind off things.

Pretty certain that I don't want to tow anymore, mainly due to absolute prats on the road but also the expense of a tow vehicle. My car is on it's last legs now and I won't do any more expensive work on it, planning to replace it with a more economical little runaround.

Pony wise we have a Sec A, a finer type so not a huge chunk. Maybe 250kg? Then a Highland yearling who currently stands at about 13hh, will be wanting transport to last for the coming years though so if we say 550kg for him to be on the safe side? My full up 14.2 Highland was 550 and this guy is only to make 13.3 but I'd rather play it safe.

Is it realistic to find a van style 3.5t with a payload of 1100/1200kg? Our A will last my daughter for years to come size wise but I'm conscious that she may outgrow him ability wise and move onto something bigger, would you just deal with that if it happens? I'm toying with doing a C1 test to drive something bigger but struggling to weigh up the pros and cons of doing that now or in the future.

Any input? What would you do in this situation?

 

[milliepops]

Sorry to hear your trailer was nicked. I think you may get a van shape one with 1100, but I'd want to see the certificate for it and know what was on it at the time - the ideal would be to take it to a weighbridge yourself and be very mindful of safety, not going for one where there are too many compromises on design/construction in order to get a bigger payload.

What you buy now doesn't have to be forever, so you could tackle the idea of a bigger truck later on. I suppose it depends on the budget to buy and also maintain it. 3.5t generally hold their value even if getting on a bit if they are sound (mine was 25 years old when i sold it!) so you could look to swap later on if necessary.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Personally I'd do your C test. I did mine 20yrs ago and then had a 20yr horse break...fast forward and my daughter is 8 and really getting into it all so we've got the pony, had a trailer but it was a disaster with loads of issues so I've just reserved a 6.5T lorry. I could have got a 3.5T but I knew she'll be moving to bigger horses one day and we may end up with more than 1...so figured just get the lorry! Some of the 3.5 ones have a low payload, i saw one advertised yesterday and it was only 780kg! Make sure you've got a certified weight on that as people say anything...Once you add fuel, people, water, tack etc is soon creeps up!

The C test was actually fine, I did a 5 day intensive and passed first time. It's much easier than towing!!!

 

[GreyDot]

My Equitrek Sonic 3.5T has a payload of 1050kg (certified). I travel one horse in there (16.1hh, weighs 599kg - also ceritifed, haha).
I do really like the Super Sonic though, which is 4T, so would require the additional license, but the Sonic works well for me as I couldn't see myself taking 2 horses anywhere as they are at very opposite ends of their training/abilities.

 

[Melody Grey]

A couple of points that might be worth considering:
- you can uprate 3.5t van conversations and lorries to 3.9t. Largely a paperwork exercise but you will need a cat C license. The downside is that currently 3.5t are holding their value and commanding a high price, so you might effectively de-value a 3.5t in doing this.....im
Considering it though as needing just a bit more payload.

-there was talk in the news recently of considering scrapping the cat C license requirement to drive up to 7.5t. May never happen, but equally the trailer test was scrapped recently so we can live in hope!

....and then.....lorry prices might change?

 

[catembi]

I have a Renault Master van conversion stallion-type box. It only has a partition in it and no living or whistles & bells. The wall between the cab & the horse area has been reinforced. I took it to a weighbridge this week and with 1/3 tank of fuel and my normal amount of water for the horses and no passengers, it weighed 2,480. So payload of a ton. My horse was weighed this week at 569, so add in him, me, passenger and a full tank and I still have headroom, just about.

 

[MereChristmas]

I have a Renault Master van conversion stallion-type box. It only has a partition in it and no living or whistles & bells. The wall between the cab & the horse area has been reinforced. I took it to a weighbridge this week and with 1/3 tank of fuel and my normal amount of water for the horses and no passengers, it weighed 2,480. So payload of a ton. My horse was weighed this week at 569, so add in him, me, passenger and a full tank and I still have headroom, just about.

My Renault has about 1100 kg. There is a partition, spare wheel, 2 small boxes that cover the wheel arches and a lot of hooks.
My pony is a 14.2/3 Connie type.
I carry tack, water, first aid, a small grooming kit, my clothes, a small haynet and a picnic.
I never intended to carry a second pony so this is fine for me.

 

[ROG]

Payload is usually the empty vehicle so anything at all you put in it including the driver reduces the max you can use for the horses

 

[Lady Jane]

You will find 3.5 t with good pay loads but they are often achieved by compromise on the buid quality. Whatever you decide to go for, get a weight cert and a proper inspection

 

[chaps89]

Payload on mine was 1058kg, empty bar fixtures/fittings such as partition and spare wheel and saddle rack, plus half a tank of diesel.
I think it might be equisport who have around 1100/1200kg payload?
I would buy for what you need now - things can change in a few years so little point in buying a big lorry/doing the relevant tests when it’s not yet needed.

 

[PeterNatt]

You will not get a payload greater than 1100Kg for a well built horse box.
Get a horsebox built on a chassis pan cab not a converted van as the Chasis pan cab can be reinforced properly and alos have a strong bulkhead.
Go to or get a horsebox built by a reputable company such as Boss, Bloomfield, Marlborough Oakleigh or Kevin Parker.

 

[Lady Jane]

You will not get a payload greater than 1100Kg for a well built horse box.
Get a horsebox built on a chassis pan cab not a converted van as the Chasis pan cab can be reinforced properly and alos have a strong bulkhead.
Go to or get a horsebox built by a reputable company such as Boss, Bloomfield, Marlborough Oakleigh or Kevin Parker.

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