Alexanders Horseboses? Downsizing?

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dressagecrazy

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Just a question about the above really, im looking at downsizing to a brand new 4.5t Chasis & build. It would be taking two big horses.

Have any of you downsized from 7.5t & if you did what sort of issue's did you face? I like the Alexanders box we've seen & found it a very safe, study build that has a payload able to take my 2 very big horses. It also has ample headroom it's got the same as my current 7.5t, but obviously ive never down sized before. I cannot go less than 4.5t due to horses weights & the fact i need to carry two.

Has anyone bought recently from Alexander's?
 
We took delivery of a 3.9ton Alexanders in Feb after downsizing from a 7.5 ton Alexanders. Main reason for downsizing is we never used the extensive living and we rarely carry 2 horses.

So far we love it, Its easier to drive, cheaper to run and the horses are travelling better in it - they have more room in the 3.9 rather than the 7.5. We have the horse area seperated from the living area. The living area still has a wardrobe, seat and a dinky hob/sink if we needed it (not even carrying a gas bottle at the mo). I can still tack up on baord (2 tack lockers and seperate locker for water/gas etc) but couldn't with 2 on board. We we out yesterday when weather was horrible and I was able to get myself and horse ready without going outside!!

Only things annoying us so far are haynet tie up ring placement. It is next to horses head and we would rather it was in front of horses head. We will look to get this changed in the future. Second thing is we can't move the head divider without partially undoing partition so I can't leave the horse at a comp with head divider down as partition then isn't as secure as I would like. Would have preferred an Equi Trek type arrangment where you can swing head divider round with out it effected parition. 2 minor things in the grand scheme, 1 of which we hope to change.

Overally we love the little box and wouldn't go back to a 7.5 ton (provided circumstances didn't change!)
 
All the Alexanders ones I've seen have protrusions eg wheel arches into the horse area. They are covered but if a horse takes a notion, it could punch through these bursting the wheel below and disabling the box.

Just thought worth a mention, funny I've just sold my 3.5 tonner and am thinking of a 7.5 tonner but I must admit I lovvved my 3.5 one. So easy and cheap to run!
 
beatrice said:
We took delivery of a 3.9ton Alexanders in Feb after downsizing from a 7.5 ton Alexanders. Main reason for downsizing is we never used the extensive living and we rarely carry 2 horses.

So far we love it, Its easier to drive, cheaper to run and the horses are travelling better in it - they have more room in the 3.9 rather than the 7.5. We have the horse area seperated from the living area. The living area still has a wardrobe, seat and a dinky hob/sink if we needed it (not even carrying a gas bottle at the mo). I can still tack up on baord (2 tack lockers and seperate locker for water/gas etc) but couldn't with 2 on board. We we out yesterday when weather was horrible and I was able to get myself and horse ready without going outside!!

Only things annoying us so far are haynet tie up ring placement. It is next to horses head and we would rather it was in front of horses head. We will look to get this changed in the future. Second thing is we can't move the head divider without partially undoing partition so I can't leave the horse at a comp with head divider down as partition then isn't as secure as I would like. Would have preferred an Equi Trek type arrangment where you can swing head divider round with out it effected parition. 2 minor things in the grand scheme, 1 of which we hope to change.

Overally we love the little box and wouldn't go back to a 7.5 ton (provided circumstances didn't change!)
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Thank you for the above, Intresting to read your thoughts :)

sillygillyhorse said:
Have a look at this company http://horseboxesinternational.com/

Nice guys to deal with, deliver good quality and what is required. I have nothing at all to do with them but know several people who have vehicles from them including one that was built to a very detailed spec. They have a good reputation.
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Thank you will take a look:)

scarymare said:
All the Alexanders ones I've seen have protrusions eg wheel arches into the horse area. They are covered but if a horse takes a notion, it could punch through these bursting the wheel below and disabling the box.

Just thought worth a mention, funny I've just sold my 3.5 tonner and am thinking of a 7.5 tonner but I must admit I lovvved my 3.5 one. So easy and cheap to run!
Click to expand...

Not sure what Alexanders models youve looked at but no protrusions of wheel arches in the horse area's at all in any of the 3 different models I looked at.
It's the running costs of my 7.5t I've had it for 10years & it would be nice to move to something new & car like as I may have to be going out on my own in future.
I think the 4.5t though gives me the option of taking 2 horses out.
 
We had a look at Alexanders a few years back when we considered stepping down form our 7.5T. That was however before we realised there's not enough payload to carry two horses! Obviously with the slightly bigger ones you would have enough. There were certain design features i really didn't like on the models we did see - they were mainly to do with the ramp opening/shutting and having some stupid strap to pull it down. I have seen other boxes designed better. However, that was maybe 5 years ago now so things may have changed.

He haven't heard any bad comments about him and they're fairly local to us (see the boxes driving about ALL the time!) and he seemed a nice enough guy to deal with (on the face of it at least)
 
ladyt25 said:
We had a look at Alexanders a few years back when we considered stepping down form our 7.5T. That was however before we realised there's not enough payload to carry two horses! Obviously with the slightly bigger ones you would have enough. There were certain design features i really didn't like on the models we did see - they were mainly to do with the ramp opening/shutting and having some stupid strap to pull it down. I have seen other boxes designed better. However, that was maybe 5 years ago now so things may have changed.

He haven't heard any bad comments about him and they're fairly local to us (see the boxes driving about ALL the time!) and he seemed a nice enough guy to deal with (on the face of it at least)
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Thank you for this, again very Intresting they still have the pull straps :eek:

Gleeful Imp said:
Can I ask what the payload is on the 4.5 tonner?
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I was told 1.8t :)

I've got a lot to think about & will be talking to some more companies.
 
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