Another 3.5 ton Horsebox question

[exracehorse]

Hi. Thank you for all your advice. I bought the box at the weekend. Going for a service. And a chap who is a horse coach box builder will give me some ideas on anti jump grills. I have some photos I’ve seen. My dilemma which whoke me up at 2am .. I kidd you not .. is this …. When I open the ramp, what stops the horse from swinging his arse over or even pulling in panic and exits the box with me under the ramp ? The other pony will be on the other side behind the middle partition. And what stops them leaning on the ramp while travelling ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Most small boxes have at least a bar that swings out and pinned to keep closed, chain or lightweight doors. Sometimes no partition but 2 ramp doors.
Ones without are usually only used for 1 horse, which travels on the driver side anyway. You definitely need something to prevent any leaning on the ramp in transit.

Be careful with loading weights..... what is the unladen weight of the box? With fuel?

 

[exracehorse]

Most small boxes have at least a bar that swings out and pinned to keep closed, chain or lightweight doors. Sometimes no partition but 2 ramp doors.
Ones without are usually only used for 1 horse, which travels on the driver side anyway. You definitely need something to prevent any leaning on the ramp in transit.

Be careful with loading weights..... what is the unladen weight of the box? With fuel?

It’s 1100 pay load. With official certification. Yes .. feel there should be another partition behind the ramp.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

It’s 1100 pay load. With official certification. Yes .. feel there should be another partition behind the ramp.

Anything you get fitted will add to weight, from a 5/10kg chain and fixings to heavier bar, or more heavy gates/doors.
Then add on weight of climb hoard to be fitted too, I think you could be looking at anything up to approx 50kg for both.
You'll be getting v tight for loading if taking a horse, pony, 2 persons, plus tack, hay, kit etc.

 

[Flame_]

Hi. Thank you for all your advice. I bought the box at the weekend. Going for a service. And a chap who is a horse coach box builder will give me some ideas on anti jump grills. I have some photos I’ve seen. My dilemma which whoke me up at 2am .. I kidd you not .. is this …. When I open the ramp, what stops the horse from swinging his arse over or even pulling in panic and exits the box with me under the ramp ?
Training
The other pony will be on the other side behind the middle partition. And what stops them leaning on the ramp while travelling ?

Nothing, but the ramp and top doors should be well secured, and the ramp strong enough to take the weight of horse walking on it hence strong enough to take weight of horse leaning on it.

My advice is check that your non-ramp wall has some reinforcement, modern builds often do now but older and cheaper boxes are often very flimsy on the side without the ramp. I had mine modified to strengthen that side.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Never stand directly under a ramp. Always lower it whilst stood to the side.

 

[exracehorse]

Nothing, but the ramp and top doors should be well secured, and the ramp strong enough to take the weight of horse walking on it hence strong enough to take weight of horse leaning on it.

My advice is check that your non-ramp wall has some reinforcement, modern builds often do now but older and cheaper boxes are often very flimsy on the side without the ramp. I had mine modified to strengthen that side.

Ok. I’ll ask the body coach man. It’s a professional build by chaighley on a Vauxhall Movanno. But box is 20 years old.

 

[exracehorse]

Never stand directly under a ramp. Always lower it whilst stood to the side.

Thank you.

 

[Red-1]

Mine has a material strap, with the pool noodle type insulation on. It is just there to mark the boundary and training means they will stay put. I don't leave them unattended at a show with the ramp down though, just in case.

 

[Boulty]

I'd agree with getting either a chain or bar put on (probably at the same time as your anti-jump device). Unless you're taking 2 very small ponies you've probably not got enough payload for gates, especially if you're getting weave grills or similar as that's already going to add weight. (Don't forget that out of your payload has to come you, passenger, fuel (as unlikely it was weighed with a full tank), tack, hay, water AND the horses... I'd agree that your final payload after modifications is likely to be 1050 at best). PS I am also on the hunt & very jealous of your lovely new purchase!

 

[Tiddlypom]

You can get folding ramp gates as an add on, but they add weight - I was told about 50kg IIRC for a Marlborough.

 

[exracehorse]

I'd agree with getting either a chain or bar put on (probably at the same time as your anti-jump device). Unless you're taking 2 very small ponies you've probably not got enough payload for gates, especially if you're getting weave grills or similar as that's already going to add weight. (Don't forget that out of your payload has to come you, passenger, fuel (as unlikely it was weighed with a full tank), tack, hay, water AND the horses... I'd agree that your final payload after modifications is likely to be 1050 at best). PS I am also on the hunt & very jealous of your lovely new purchase!

Thank you. They are so expensive at the moment. This one was 8k.

 

[cold_feet]

My box has the same ramp door arrangement, no extra barrier inside the ramp. It’s never been a problem. But the ramp doesn’t just fall down, you have to use some force to pull it down. I can’t see how a horse could push it over.

 

[Northern Hare]

I had proper ramp doors on my 3.5t, but I've seen one design where they had a length of aluminium square tubing that slotted into holding cups on both sides. Or on another 3.5t box where they just had a length of sturdy seatbelt-type webbing with a clip on the end to an eyelet.

Both of these options world be relatively payload-friendly. ?

 

[exracehorse]

I had proper ramp doors on my 3.5t, but I've seen one design where they had a length of aluminium square tubing that slotted into holding cups on both sides. Or on another 3.5t box where they just had a length of sturdy seatbelt-type webbing with a clip on the end to an eyelet.

Both of these options world be relatively payload-friendly. ?

Good idea

 

[peanutsmumma]

I'm having one of these fitted in mine for the odd occasion when I do take 2 out