Can you help me find a horsebox

[OrangeAndLemon]

I passed my C1 licence and I am now on the hunt for a lorry.

The requirements (most important at the top):

• I have a heavy horse so I need something with at least 1700kg payload.
• I'd prefer a side ramp so I don't have to try and turn a big horse inside a lorry.
• I need a decent amount of space because at 3yo he's already around 17hh (at the bum), 1m wide, 2m chest to bum. I'm not expecting him to get any smaller.
• I'd like a nice light, bright space.
• For ride quality I'd prefer his weight to not be behind the back axel.
• Living only has to be basic (somewhere to sleep, somewhere to sit and some storage) I don't need another kitchen and bathroom to clean.
• Ideally I'd like a 5t to 6.5t and would like something easy to drive.

Please can you share any advice. Happy to take on something that would need work.

Would you keep searching Horsemart / Horsequest / 4 to 7 tonne Facebook group or is there somewhere else I should be looking?

Would you advise I consider getting something built?

Any and all advice welcome. Thank you

 

[Annagain]

I have no idea if they're a reputable dealer or not but a very nice looking 5T box came up on my Facebook feed from Warwickshire horse boxes the other day, might be worth a look.

5 tonne! Stunning coach built in 2018 – Warwickshire Horse Boxes

ETA - Ignore me, payload isn't enough.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Yep, I've clicked on that one a few times then my heart has sunk when I realised the lovely kitchen has eaten up the payload.

 

[Abacus]

There are a couple on horsequest which you've probably seen.

e.g. Ref: 291596
301127

I had a 6.5 tonne for a while and something to bear in mind is that they often have a steep and somewhat narrow ramp. Athletic willing horses are fine, older or more unwilling ones can be put off my this. My poor old boy (then about 20) was a fantastic loader but he slipped onto his chest when going up and couldn't get back to his feet, it put him off for ages and eventually I sold that lorry.

 

[Squeak]

Those are the places that I would be searching for a box for sale too, some of the generic horseboxes for sale ones on fb could also be worth keeping an eye on. You could try a wanted ad as at this time of year people might be holding out until spring when the market is a bit stronger before they advertise?

Otherwise if your budget allows I would definitely consider getting one built although build time may be an issue.

As an aside - with the weight of your horse, make sure you get something with a big enough engine. My 3.5t has a 3. something ltr (sorry having a complete mindblank what it is) which is more than most of the other 3.5t+ lorries and I definitely wouldn't want less for 3.5t+.

 

[VRIN]

i would suggest that you also contact horsebox builders as they often have ones in to sell from people who have upgraded.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

There are a couple on horsequest which you've probably seen.

e.g. Ref: 291596
301127

I'd seen the second one and have emailed them about the horse length on that one but not heard back yet. I somehow missed the first and Pepper Harrow had been recommended by a friend so I've emailed Adam to see if it's still available.

ETA: Adam doesn't think he can fit my horse in that one, I suspect moving the walls to create my horse length space will be too awkward but I'll ask.

 

[Annagain]

Yep, I've clicked on that one a few times then my heart has sunk when I realised the lovely kitchen has eaten up the payload.

There's a 4.5T with the same company with a decent payload. It's VERY basic though - not really a living, just a storage area really.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

There's a 4.5T with the same company with a decent payload. It's VERY basic though - not really a living, just a storage area really.

Don't mind a basic living, I can do something with that!

This one is a rear ramp and only 2m34cm wide which feels a bit tight for turning a horse who is already 2m chest to bum...for those of you with big horses can you turn them okay for a rear ramp lorry?

 

[Annagain]

This one
4.5t Courcheval coach build with big payload! – Warwickshire Horse Boxes

 

[chaps89]

This one
4.5t Courcheval coach build with big payload! – Warwickshire Horse Boxes

They don’t ever seem to actually have the payload verified on theirs so I would definitley get it confirmed when it’s as critical as it is for the OP

OP, can we have photos of the lovely sounding lad please?! (Sorry, no help on the lorry front - a friend did buy a basic 5.5/6t via Peper Harrow that would fit the bill for you, not for sale but they do occasionally get some in so are a good contact to have)

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

This one
4.5t Courcheval coach build with big payload! – Warwickshire Horse Boxes

I like the look of that one but I think I'd need to get the breast wall thing moved to give a bit more body room.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Just for you Chaps89
Please no one mention the difference between bum and withers, I'm trying not to look. The bum is around 17hh and he weighs around 750kg at 3 years old. The last picture is some training we did on a friend's lorry before he had to travel anywhere. That lorry is perfect having both a rear and side ramp.

 

[chaps89]

Just for you Chaps89
Please no one mention the difference between bum and withers, I'm trying not to look. The bum is around 17hh and he weighs around 750kg at 3 years old. The last picture is some training we did on a friend's lorry before he had to travel anywhere. That lorry is perfect having both a rear and side ramp.
View attachment 106670View attachment 106671View attachment 106672View attachment 106673

Ahh thankyou. He’s gorgeous - he just has a really nice look to him (whispers quietly, even if he is ginormous already ? )

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Thank you. I think you can see why I'm worried about a rear ramped box and trying to turn him inside a box.

 

[Abacus]

Thank you. I think you can see why I'm worried about a rear ramped box and trying to turn him inside a box.

Just thinking this through though... in any box they have to turn 90 degrees going in - whether it's a side ramp and they travel facing backwards or forwards, or a rear ramp where they travel facing sideways. It's not too much to add another 90 degree turn to come out.

If he could manage this then you could consider a 7.5 tonne box with a rear ramp which opens up the possibilities for you. It's larger (but you are more than qualified to drive it) and there are more of them about. It also means that he is used to loading and travelling in the most common type of horsebox if he ever needs to - in an emergency for example. There are quite a few compact 7.5 tonne boxes advertised which tend to be cheaper and the plating requirements are (I think) the same as anything over 3.5 tonnes (please someone correct me if wrong - has been a while since I had larger than 3.5).

EDIT: in answer to your question about turning. My friend's huge 18hh ID goes easily into their 7.5 tonne lorry, turning in and out with no problem (just a rear ramp). They tend to give him a bit of extra angle with the partition for more length.

 

[Fieldlife]

Mine would do you (not for sale). 5.5 tonnes, two tonne payload. Side ramp. Forward facing. Basic living with luton area for sleeping. Mine is a 26 year old Ford Iveco. Drives brilliantly and powerful with good brakes.

 

[abbijay]

Don't mind a basic living, I can do something with that!

This one is a rear ramp and only 2m34cm wide which feels a bit tight for turning a horse who is already 2m chest to bum...for those of you with big horses can you turn them okay for a rear ramp lorry?

As you (probably) know I've got a big trailer to travel my biggies in and always have but when Asterix the shire (who was a blooming well built ex-stallion; I measured him down at 17.2 his owner told me "we can easily measure him up to 18hh") went home he in a rear load 7.5t that was regularly used to transport a variety of heavies about. I have also hired various transporters to shift Alfie in 7.5t over the years - he's 18.1 and, although narrow, is incredibly long through the body. The thing I'd not negotiate on is one without tack lockers taking up space in there.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Does your licence allow you to drive a 7.5 ? There are plenty of them on the facebook page Horseboxes for Sale page. I have been looking recently for something very basic to put 2 big horses on.
Prices are coming down, a basic Daf or Eurocargo can be found at 10k ish. It can be tricky to find them without tack lockers though.

Ryan Doriss has 2 in at the moment with no living, but huge payload and both could have the front partition/stall made into a changing area. Both on tilt cab. They are practical not pretty though.

 

[Fieldlife]

Does your licence allow you to drive a 7.5 ? There are plenty of them on the facebook page Horseboxes for Sale page. I have been looking recently for something very basic to put 2 big horses on.
Prices are coming down, a basic Daf or Eurocargo can be found at 10k ish. It can be tricky to find them without tack lockers though.

Ryan Doriss has 2 in at the moment with no living, but huge payload and both could have the front partition/stall made into a changing area. Both on tilt cab. They are practical not pretty though.

It does also depend on being brave enough to drive something that big, and having access at yard to get it in and out. I love my 5.5 tonne, but would struggle with a 7.5 tonne unless very compact ones. The ones going cheap at the moment seem to typically be HUGE.

 

[AdorableAlice]

It does also depend on being brave enough to drive something that big, and having access at yard to get it in and out. I love my 5.5 tonne, but would struggle with a 7.5 tonne unless very compact ones. The ones going cheap at the moment seem to typically be HUGE.

If you can drive a car you can drive anything, you just need practice unladen and the perspective of width/length especially when you are sitting in front of the front axle and have overhang.

Yard access can be an issue I agree, but never doubt your ability to drive a bigger vehicle, you can.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Does your licence allow you to drive a 7.5 ? There are plenty of them on the facebook page Horseboxes for Sale page. I have been looking recently for something very basic to put 2 big horses on.
Prices are coming down, a basic Daf or Eurocargo can be found at 10k ish. It can be tricky to find them without tack lockers though.

Ryan Doriss has 2 in at the moment with no living, but huge payload and both could have the front partition/stall made into a changing area. Both on tilt cab. They are practical not pretty though.

Yes, I have C1. Thank you, I'll get looking

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

As you (probably) know I've got a big trailer to travel my biggies in and always have but when Asterix the shire (who was a blooming well built ex-stallion; I measured him down at 17.2 his owner told me "we can easily measure him up to 18hh") went home he in a rear load 7.5t that was regularly used to transport a variety of heavies about. I have also hired various transporters to shift Alfie in 7.5t over the years - he's 18.1 and, although narrow, is incredibly long through the body. The thing I'd not negotiate on is one without tack lockers taking up space in there.

Agree, I've been discounting anything with lockers in Horse area. Thank you, that's really helpful.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

It does also depend on being brave enough to drive something that big, and having access at yard to get it in and out. I love my 5.5 tonne, but would struggle with a 7.5 tonne unless very compact ones. The ones going cheap at the moment seem to typically be HUGE.

That's exactly why I'm looking at the smaller ones. The 7.5t ones all look very long and difficult to drive (get around corners)

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Mine would do you (not for sale). 5.5 tonnes, two tonne payload. Side ramp. Forward facing. Basic living with luton area for sleeping. Mine is a 26 year old Ford Iveco. Drives brilliantly and powerful with good brakes.

Thanks, I think ?
How do you get on with sourcing parts? A friend has warned me to avoid Iveco where possible because she really struggled with parts and had to use tractor filters when they couldn't get proper ones. I've also heard from others who are very happy with their old Ivecos.

 

[Fieldlife]

Thanks, I think ?
How do you get on with sourcing parts? A friend has warned me to avoid Iveco where possible because she really struggled with parts and had to use tractor filters when they couldn't get proper ones. I've also heard from others who are very happy with their old Ivecos.

Parts are really hard as many can’t be ordered new. Though on the plus side that’s often a cost saving.

I’ve got a great local mechanic who is good at locating refurbished parts or getting my parts reconditioned or fixing with nonstandard parts for some things.

If you are willing to source through eBay / breakers / online requests and make do it’s okay.

Wouldn’t suggest an over 20 year old Iveco unless you have a local mechanic who thinks he can support keeping you on the road.

I’m in Surrey but have a feeling you are a long way away.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I'm in Cheshire which is handy for all the Midlands located horsebox dealers.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I had a 6.5t which didn’t have a steep or narrow ramp. It was herringbone with a rear ramp and took my friends big 17hh with no issues. It had a very neat day living and just under a 2t payload. Mine was built by McNeill and they are a good build but often older boxes. The Trophy Twin by Peper Harrow are good builds and popular locally. They are same family as McNeills. I loved that box but my old boy was semi-retired and I couldn’t justify the expense at the time.

I’ve also driven my friends 7.5t and it really wasn’t much different. I have a 3.5t now several years later that can be up rated to 3.9t if I want to. It was down-rated when I bought it so it could have a normal MOT. This was due to post Covid backlog for the more extensive MOT.

 

[Red-1]

I have no idea if they're a reputable dealer or not but a very nice looking 5T box came up on my Facebook feed from Warwickshire horse boxes the other day, might be worth a look.

5 tonne! Stunning coach built in 2018 – Warwickshire Horse Boxes

ETA - Ignore me, payload isn't enough.

I would avoid that type of van anyway, where the horses travel above the wheels. They tend to lurch on corners as the centre of gravity is too high. You need a platform cab, where the horse is carried lower, between the wheels.

I used to transport huge horses commercially and know that a horse of that size needs 8ft headroom, either a stall that is over 8'6 long or alternatively a herringbone one at 3'6 wide and angled to 30 degrees or so on a 8' wide wagon.

So, you could manage a van type, but go for a platform cab with uprated suspension. For a van, I would go for a Bloomfields, mine is 8ft height, I made it a one partition with storage the other side, so my partition is 3'6 wide with provision to go to 4ft for tacking up etc. My stall is over 8'6 long, and is a stallion box for safety. There is still a little living space, but not luxury. They can advise re uprating and weight.

For a more cost effective solution, a 7.5 tonne will do, but get one with an 8' wide body as some are only 7'6. Not many are 8', but that is what you need. One with space for 3 will allow a better turning area, and for more angle on the partition.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Thanks Red-1, that us hugely useful