choosing a horsebox

mavandkaz

mavandkaz

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i am starting to look for transport for my boy but have no idea what to get. am thinking of getting a box rather then a trailer (can't afford to run a large towing car on a daily basis). i have no experience of buying a horsebox and am really confused. he is about 17.2 so need something big enough but have no idea how big. it will only really be for him although it would be nice to have room for another horse so i can take a friend out on hacks.
what kind of make/model and size should i be looking for? what are your experiences?
(told you i had no idea about boxes, sorry its so vague)
 
If you want to take your boy and another then you need something bigger than 3.5t to stay legally within the weight limit.

When you passed your test will also affect what you can drive without having to take further tests. Unfortunately I cannot remember the year the new law came in but anyone passing their driving test now can only drive a vehicle up to 3.5t. You cannot tow a trailer and would have to take a test for this or to drive a lorry over 3.5t.

Not really much help but a couple of things to think about for starters, sure others will give more advice.
 
thats the other thing that is swaying me towards a box rather then a trailer - i will have to take a test and i'm thinking driving even a large box will be easier then driving a trailer. have tried reversing a trailer and it was awful!
 
you might be able to find a 2-horse with side ramp big enough for your lad, one of the little renault lorries for example. these drive like cars and are supposed to be really nice boxes. he'll need quite a bit of length as well as height, obviously.
otherwise it's up to a 2 or 3 horse lorry, with or without living, on up to a 7.5 tonne. a DAF, Iveco Tector etc etc chassis. these usually have a rear ramp and the horses travel herringbone (sideways). they are easy to drive, power steering etc, the size just takes a bit of getting used to if you've not driven anything that big.
prices vary enormously, but obviously the older the chassis, the more problems you might have. check floors and ramps meticulously on older boxes... horse urine is very corrosive to metal, with disastrous consequences at times.
frown.gif

why not go to a good local horsebox dealer and have a look at what they have? i think GC Smiths are down near you, and maybe Ian McNeill too... the former has been in the business for years and has a good reputation (ads in h&h every week for you to get an idea of ££s), the latter has been in the business for ages too but i don't know anything about him... you could always ask on here though.
 
Karen - theres a 2/3 horse 3.5 tonne for sale at my yard, nothing fancy but YO has repaired it all and replaced almost everything inc floor, living, ramp and brakes, and its got powersteering. Its got quite a short body but a high head height and its less than £3k... Its nothing fancy but would do the job well. We have been toying with the idea of buying it but need to use money on other stuff now... I can get you a pic if you like?
 
yes please a picture would help. although i am worried 3.5T won't be enough on the weight front. i have a feeling that once the big man is in along with all his gear we will be right on the limit, so no chance of taking anyone else. but that's the problem, i have no idea about these things.
 
for a 17.3 with substance and all the gear for a day out, inc tack, hay and water, allow up to 1 tonne payload

A 3.5 tonne will have about 1 to 1.2 tonnes payload, if a modern build,
advantages- you cna drive on a normal car licence
disadvtages- not many will have headroom for a 17,2 and you won't be able to take a 2nd horse with you.
 
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