4.5 tonne box experience, thoughts and recommendations

[RumbleTheTumble]

Hi there... I would be really interested to hear experiences of horse box makes. There are so many! I would like a 4.5 tonne with living. I think a 3.5 tonne will be a bit tight for weekends away. Unless there's anyone who finds that a 3.5 tonne works well for this? Listening to the advice on safety I don't think a conversion onto an old chassis is a good idea and I would like to travel my ponies forward-facing as they always choose to stand this way when we travel them without restrictions. As they are quite short I'm hoping this will be possible! I'd be grateful of experiences and thoughts on safety and reliability and, hopefully, after all that a loo and a shower in the living area... Thank you

 

[Ahrena]

I got a 4.5t from Equihunter and I’m very happy it. Much easier to drive and much cheaper to run than my old 7.5t.

We pulled the back out a bit longer so it has seats that fold into a double bed and lots of storage. We have a sink but I decided not to get a hob cos it’s easy enough to use a camping one and no fridge as putting one in was super expensive.

The builders couldn’t have been more helpful and adapted everything to suit me personally, including solar panels on the roof to power the living. We had a slight issue with one of the locks not working well and they fell over themselves to sort it. Even when my horse broke the back door, they were very helpful sourcing replacement parts etc.

I wouldn’t swap it for a big truck now although it wasn’t cheap but it’s held its value very well (I considered selling it last year and a dealership offered me 4k less than I paid for it) We had it built as when I got it about 6 years ago, there were limited second hands on the market and they were all unknown builders.

 

[Ahrena]

I did forgoe the shower and loo but I have seen them put them in some of their models.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I got a 4.5t from Equihunter and I’m very happy it. Much easier to drive and much cheaper to run than my old 7.5t.

We pulled the back out a bit longer so it has seats that fold into a double bed and lots of storage. We have a sink but I decided not to get a hob cos it’s easy enough to use a camping one and no fridge as putting one in was super expensive.

The builders couldn’t have been more helpful and adapted everything to suit me personally, including solar panels on the roof to power the living. We had a slight issue with one of the locks not working well and they fell over themselves to sort it. Even when my horse broke the back door, they were very helpful sourcing replacement parts etc.

I wouldn’t swap it for a big truck now although it wasn’t cheap but it’s held its value very well (I considered selling it last year and a dealership offered me 4k less than I paid for it) We had it built as when I got it about 6 years ago, there were limited second hands on the market and they were all unknown builders.

Thank you. That's very helpful. I haven't looked at those yet because of the cost but, as you say, it's good to consider 2nd hand value. I didn't realise having a fridge was so expensive! I've not run a 7.5 tonne, but know they are costly... like horses, they're cheaper to buy than to run!!

 

[Ahrena]

The fridge was £1000 extra!! I got a plug in cool box instead and they fitted a plug for it. For the very odd time I stay away, it’s fine.

I mostly just wanted to be able to take 2 horses, I figured I could make do with the rest.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

Wow! That is a lot more than I would have guessed!! A cool box sounds like a good idea

 

[j1ffy]

I got mine from Freddie Gover and I love it. I've got sofas and a table that convert into a double bed, fridge and sink/hob. I had the option of a shower/toilet area but went for storage instead. The living area is far better designed and more comfortable than my old 7.5T! The horse area is very well-built, it's rear-facing but they're all made to order so could probably do forward-facing (although I'm not sure how the 'emergency exit' would then work...in an emergency you'd have to back out via the living). It's lovely to drive too, much more like driving a car.

 

[Abacus]

Given that you have to plate a 4.5 tonne as you would a 6.5 tonne, it’s worth also considering the latter. Even if you have a box made of similar dimensions it gives you so much more payload. My old one, with a basic but comfortable living including sink, hob, table etc had a payload of 2.5 tonnes. The horse part was massive and faced forward. My only gripe with it was that the ramp was relatively steep and narrow so I would look out for this.

 

[Polos Mum]

With lots of living requirements I too would think about payload even in a 4.5. There was a 4.5 for sale recently local to me that had all the extras in living (loo, fridge etc.) but was advertised with only 900kg of payload because of all the weight of the living stuff !!

With people, diesel and some water you'd start to need a pretty small horse to stay legal - even with only one on board. Two you'd need them to be mini shetlands !

 

[QuantockHills]

i've got a 3.5t with weekend living.. sofa that converts to a bed, plus hob and small fridge, payload is 1t so they are about...

 

[Abacus]

I just did a quick horsequest search and there’s a nice 6.5 tonne Equicruiser with 2.5 tonne payload, ref 336776. All of the 4.5 tonne lorries on there don’t mention payload.

 

[millitiger]

Most 4.5t have better payload than 7.5t lorries!

I would look up AM Horseboxes.
Really good, solid, reputation, easy to talk to on the phone and can completely customise at a lower price than some of the bigger names.
The lorries are very easy on the eye too!

I was a day away from putting my deposit down with AM for a custom build, when my Bloomfields came up for sale at a price I couldn't ignore.

 

[Bernster]

I have a Freddie Gover 4.5t with a reasonable amount of living in it. Payload around 1.6 to 1.8 in those builds dep on the spec.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I got mine from Freddie Gover and I love it. I've got sofas and a table that convert into a double bed, fridge and sink/hob. I had the option of a shower/toilet area but went for storage instead. The living area is far better designed and more comfortable than my old 7.5T! The horse area is very well-built, it's rear-facing but they're all made to order so could probably do forward-facing (although I'm not sure how the 'emergency exit' would then work...in an emergency you'd have to back out via the living). It's lovely to drive too, much more like driving a car.

Thank you... that's a good recommendation. I'll look that name up. I think I've heard it before, but not looked into it properly. It's so helpful to hear from real experience.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

Most 4.5t have better payload than 7.5t lorries!

I would look up AM Horseboxes.
Really good, solid, reputation, easy to talk to on the phone and can completely customise at a lower price than some of the bigger names.
The lorries are very easy on the eye too!

I was a day away from putting my deposit down with AM for a custom build, when my Bloomfields came up for sale at a price I couldn't ignore.

Interesting... I'm getting loads of helpfultips and 'makes' to look up! From this thread... we've already got a day trip booked to go and see one!!

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I just did a quick horsequest search and there’s a nice 6.5 tonne Equicruiser with 2.5 tonne payload, ref 336776. All of the 4.5 tonne lorries on there don’t mention payload.

Gosh... thank you! I'm going straight to have a look. Life and work have been hectic... but there's always time to buy things for horses!!

 

[millitiger]

If you buy one already built, please make sure you get it inspected and weighed.
Not just the mechanical parts but make sure the bulkhead is reinforced properly, there is no water ingress in roof or walls etc.
A pretty paint job can hide a lot of sins!

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

If you buy one already built, please make sure you get it inspected and weighed.
Not just the mechanical parts but make sure the bulkhead is reinforced properly, there is no water ingress in roof or walls etc.
A pretty paint job can hide a lot of sins!

thank you, this is good advice. Safety is the very first thing to get right. I agree that some I've looked at have been very attractive, but we've had concerns about what lies underneath!

 

[Lady Jane]

And let us know how your viewings go.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

Given that you have to plate a 4.5 tonne as you would a 6.5 tonne, it’s worth also considering the latter. Even if you have a box made of similar dimensions it gives you so much more payload. My old one, with a basic but comfortable living including sink, hob, table etc had a payload of 2.5 tonnes. The horse part was massive and faced forward. My only gripe with it was that the ramp was relatively steep and narrow so I would look out for this.

Thanks...we hadn't considered that. I'll have a look at them... maybe there aren't so many about? I appreciate you taking time to write an answer.. they've all been really helpful

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

With lots of living requirements I too would think about payload even in a 4.5. There was a 4.5 for sale recently local to me that had all the extras in living (loo, fridge etc.) but was advertised with only 900kg of payload because of all the weight of the living stuff !!

With people, diesel and some water you'd start to need a pretty small horse to stay legal - even with only one on board. Two you'd need them to be mini shetlands !

Good point... my two would be about 750kgs... so not as much as most... but, as you say, us and the water and all the other stuff it really starts to add up!

 

[Green Bean]

I know this goes off topic a bit but I am busy getting all the kit required to camp in the horse area of my 3.5t horsebox. This includes a fold up little table in the back area for meals. It is easier and cheaper than you would think if you are handy. I have made an awning and a side panel and pinched car jacks from hubby to make the ramp a deck. I am lucky though that we have a touring caravan so I can borrow things like camp bed, blow up mattress, ground sheet, floor mats, portable fridge, little cooker and other bits and pieces. I have thought about looking at a 4.5t but can't support the extra expense for the occasional trip away.

 

[sbloom]

Wow! That is a lot more than I would have guessed!! A cool box sounds like a good idea

In hot weather, when a tent or horsebox can really heat up, a 5 day cooler, ice packs, frozen food/milk etc, may keep it cooler as the powered ones can only lower by, I think, 20 degrees. I have an Igloo but there are others, these https://uk.yeti.com look like they might have even better options (just don't look at the price of the cooler bags!). I dump mine outside the tent in the shade and put wet cloths on it. Might invest in a Yeti when this dies (so far 17 years old and it gets left outside half the summer when/after we use it as extra fridge space!).

 

[ester]

‘Our’ (it’s not mine ) main issue is if someone is sleeping in the Luton/horse area they can’t get out without moving the person in the back, and you’d have to be very friendly with the other person to sleep in the back with them. For 1 it’s great.
Lots of other good points though!

 

[McFluff]

I have a Kevin Parker 4.5t. I maxed out the extras in the living (have shower and loo) and have 1.5t payload - which is perfect for me and one horse, but I can take two 500kg horses. However, horses travel facing rear.

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I know this goes off topic a bit but I am busy getting all the kit required to camp in the horse area of my 3.5t horsebox. This includes a fold up little table in the back area for meals. It is easier and cheaper than you would think if you are handy. I have made an awning and a side panel and pinched car jacks from hubby to make the ramp a deck. I am lucky though that we have a touring caravan so I can borrow things like camp bed, blow up mattress, ground sheet, floor mats, portable fridge, little cooker and other bits and pieces. I have thought about looking at a 4.5t but can't support the extra expense for the occasional trip away.

I love this.. and it is definitely something that's crossed my mind. I do it in a way because I put the camp bed up in my horse trailer and I take a roll of carpet... and you're right... it can be pretty cosy! Especially with my terrier serving as my hot water bottle! Its this that has given me the camping bug really. Thank you for your message... it makes sure I don't forget the idea which is a really good way of adapting. I really wish you happy camping... and don't forget the dog for those chilly nights xxx

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I just did a quick horsequest search and there’s a nice 6.5 tonne Equicruiser with 2.5 tonne payload, ref 336776. All of the 4.5 tonne lorries on there don’t mention payload.

Thank you so much...I looked this up... it's just the sort of thing! You could be a personal shopper!!

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

In hot weather, when a tent or horsebox can really heat up, a 5 day cooler, ice packs, frozen food/milk etc, may keep it cooler as the powered ones can only lower by, I think, 20 degrees. I have an Igloo but there are others, these https://uk.yeti.com look like they might have even better options (just don't look at the price of the cooler bags!). I dump mine outside the tent in the shade and put wet cloths on it. Might invest in a Yeti when this dies (so far 17 years old and it gets left outside half the summer when/after we use it as extra fridge space!).

This is great advice... thank you for the link! That's very helpful. You are very resourceful...I need to catch up a bit. I was being lazy and wanting a portable hotel room

 

[RumbleTheTumble]

I have a Kevin Parker 4.5t. I maxed out the extras in the living (have shower and loo) and have 1.5t payload - which is perfect for me and one horse, but I can take two 500kg horses. However, horses travel facing rear.

That's a good payload... and my two together would only be about 750kgs. AND you have a loo and shower... the one thing that makes or breaks camping!!

 

[Abacus]

Thank you so much...I looked this up... it's just the sort of thing! You could be a personal shopper!!

I’d love that as a job, especially with someone else’s money! Good luck with the search.