Calling all VW LT35 Horsebox owners!

C

chestnuttyy

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2011
Messages
557
Visit site
Going to look at one of these tomorrow but have a few questions:

  • When does the cambelt need changing?
  • Anything in particular to look out for (problems you've had)?
  • Are they reliable?
  • What's the payload on yours? This one states 1.2T, that about right?

    Any other comments in general would be appreciated :)
 
I've been looking into 3.5T boxes as I'm getting one myself. I would have loved to have it on either the VW, a mercedes sprinter or a iveco daily. Every single builder I spoke to said to be really wary of anything built on these vans, basically they're much heavier and so give a payload of around 800kg, the only way to increase it would be to have it built as a 3.9T in which case you can't drive on a car licence.

From that I took that if they built it properly then I wouldn't have enough payload, if I had enough payload then I would be worrying about where the weight had been saved.

Obviously I'm not an expert but I would just be wary of this. Other than that I've heard they are very reliable, a VW dealer would be able to let you know how often to change the cam belt.
 
I've got one, its has always been super reliable (touch wood it will continue!). Mines pretty old and has done alot of miles, I bought it from a gentlemen who services horseboxes, and when I had it MOT'd last year the garage said it was the best example they'd ever seen :)
In terms of payload it depends on what its got - I've seen some with living areas, and cannot contemplate how they have enough payload to put a horse in. Mine's literally just a horsebox.
As with anything the quality depends on how the box has been looked after, just make sure you have a good look over it, and underneath aswell :)
Otherwise, I've heard many other good reports from fellow VW LT35 owners, thats what made me buy mine :) Good Luck :)
 
I had one which I sold last year to a friend. I had it for 5 years and it was the most reliable, super economical little lorry. Mine was a G C Smith coachbuilt, the payload was 1.2t. It cost me £2-300 max to get serviced and MOT'd every year. It only had 60k miles on it, I think the mechanic said the Cambelt needed doing next service. I sold it as I bought a 16h mw mare and although she fitted (just!) I didn't feel happy travelling her in it so have bought a bigger box. Mine was literally just horse area with storage in the luton, no "living" or seating area which some have, I would seriously wonder about the payload on them!
 
Buy one!

Don't know about cambelt, must look at that.

Mine is very old, but built exceptionally well. (it is an old Y reg). Just had some cosmetic stuff done to it as steps into cab had rotted, so now all welded up.

The inside is huge! Could fit two 16.3hh easily, but you could only carry one. Mine is a side load and face forward and is lovely and airy and light. Has loads of room for all your gear as well.

Mine is not that eonomical as it is petrol, but think it needs adjusting, seeing mechanic about it.

All in all cheap to run, fix, insure and is reliable even in minus weather! My ole girl keeps chugging out even when the brand spanker lorries wont start or are forever in the workshop!

I think they are brilliant if you just have one 16hh horse.
 
on a non turbo 2.4 engine the cambelt should be changed at around 60k miles (mileage on the belt)
as far as the older 3.5 tonne boxes go the VW LT35 is one of the best ones around IF it's been converted correctly. I would still be wary of the "converted bread van" type.

Mine's a coach built one, stalled for 2 but would only ever take one as mine has a small living in it. I have no idea of the payload, it's currently having a new engine fitted so one of the jobs we must do when it's complete is get it weighed.
It's also very short/compact in the build as some I've seen look awfully long, with a lot of the horse's weight sitting on the back axle. This is enough to get you pulled as too much weight on one of the axles could mean you are overloaded, remember the axles each have a payload.

In general they are a very good reliable lorry, German engineering and all that ;)
However they do seem to hold their value, I've just sent an 1986 one go for nearly 5k on ebay! It was a lovely example and low miles, also a nice smart 1992 one sold last week for 8k......
I think the prices demonstrate how popular they are :)
 
I went to look at one of these this evening!
I have done some research and have heard that they are very reliable etc.
I think the one I saw was quite overpriced though :s
Good luck with your viewing!!
 
Not much chance a VW have this payload.take it to a weigh bridge cost you £3 to £6 .remember the diesel , 70 ltr is 65kg
We have a newer one 2006 lt 35 158 hp luton,when we bought it,it had the lot! full living cooker sink n pump ,sep toilet cubicle etc ,sleeping for four adults,cupboards for everything ,had the lot!i took it to the weigh bridge and guess what ? 3600kg ! with no one in it and almost no fuel.I have ripped it apart and it now[not finished yet] weighs in at 2400,when re-built it will be 2700 giving an 800 kg payload.this box cost the previous owner[passed away] £23000 to have built.The coach builder who done it,did do a great job,but used a lot of household materials ,kitchen cupboards etc,and the roof n walls were triple insulated! ply,kingspan and tongue n groove upvc.So have a really good look at ANY 3.5 tonner and be very very wary if it has accomodation fitted,because i can assure you it wont have a massive payload!
So be very careful what you buy .always ask the weight,if they cannot provide you with this,and it has living ,then dont buy it!.
Agree with you on buying a VW or Merc or Iveco,they are the best 3.5s you can get.But suggest you consider an old MRk 1 renault master if you dont need a big living area ,they have a great payload 1200 kgs and the higher roofed ones can carry almost any horse.
 
I have one tho havent used it much yet, the Renault master is too low slung for our potholey mountain track we live on!

I think they are good little boxes for one horse/pony only. Dont try and carry two - and if theres lots of living get it to a weighbridge before you carry anything.

Do check the suspension springs tho - it is costing us £500+fitting for a new one (but thats something that any elderly box could need so Im not blaming the box).
 
I liked mine BUT it was overweight with 2 very small arabs on board! I also had problems with the head gasket, and found it was a bit underpowered (hence the head gasket problems).
 
Is that a modern Renault master you have?
We also have a master as well as the VW,it is a MRk1 1996 ,and it has a very good ground clearance ,about 9 inches,and our road looks like it has been the victim of an air strike!but it clears it no bother.the new ones[mrk3] have a very low clearance,about 4 inches,you know the ones i mean,you see them on ebay etc for £15k plus,with 120000miles on them and advertised as new build!.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top