Decent reputable horsebox builder

[theopuppy]

Hi, I’m looking for a horsebox builder To make me a robust but basic 6.5- 7.5 rear facing for big horses. About 9’6- 10 ft horse area. Also need side load ,day living with easy ramp for small person to manage. Ideally I would choose Kevin Parker but he won’t do a side ramp as apparently it is unbalanced.I’ve already had a 4.5 made with a bigger horse area but it’s still too small. Horse safety and comfort is my priority. Moderate budget.
Recommendations for an honest competent builder who knows what they are doing would be welcome. I’ve had a few unscrupulous dealings before with shortcutters and incompetents with empty promises. Thanks .
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[sunnyone]

It would probably help if you gave us some idea as to where you are and how far you would be willing to travel to the manufacturer.

 

[Patterdale]

Having bought from them, met the staff and visited the works, I would use Tristar every time

 

[Lady Jane]

Have a look at FB page Dodgy Horsebox Builders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/848835525286872.
Ask who they recommend within whatever area you are prepared to travel

 

[theopuppy]

Thanks all. Based e midlands. Prepared to travel a couple of hours Yes just found and put post on dodgy HB builders… could add a list of dodgy ones to avoid myself. Got some good tips off this group.
thanks re Tristar …will look up.

 

[Lady Jane]

Look at this FB group too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/200...cently_seen&multi_permalinks=2863968557070165

 

[Lady Jane]

@theopuppy if its you who has just posted, Iveco gearboxes are apparently 'clunky' (not sure about new ones) and I wouldn't use 'EE'

 

[Lady Jane]

Whoever you choose, get an inspection, even for a new build with warranty

 

[terrierliz]

Love my Peper Harrow 6.5t, it’s slightly older but considering replacing with the same

 

[onemoretime]

Bloomfields without a doubt.

 

[Abacus]

Someone I know bought from Tristar recently (within last year) and had endless trouble. Chassis older than they promised and lots of snags. Still waiting for a refund. Not my own experience so it’s second hand, but based on it I would avoid them.

ETA: shame as I always thought their boxes were good, know a couple of others and they were lovely.

Another friend recently had issues with Ascot which if you Google, are well known.

 

[Cowpony]

Yes second Peper Harrow. I've got a 6.5t too

 

[theopuppy]

@theopuppy if its you who has just posted, Iveco gearboxes are apparently 'clunky' (not sure about new ones) and I wouldn't use 'EE'

Yep that was me.

 

[theopuppy]

Love my Peper Harrow 6.5t, it’s slightly older but considering replacing with the same

Yes wondered about these.good to know. Is it easy to drive?

 

[theopuppy]

Someone I know bought from Tristar recently (within last year) and had endless trouble. Chassis older than they promised and lots of snags. Still waiting for a refund. Not my own experience so it’s second hand, but based on it I would avoid them.

ETA: shame as I always thought their boxes were good, know a couple of others and they were lovely.

Another friend recently had issues with Ascot which if you Google, are well known.

Thanks for that.. guess every company has a few hiccups but it’s how the problem is dealt with that matters. Tristar is tpoo far for me sadly.. would be a five hour drive. Yes have heard about Ascot. Again they all look so good on the surface.

 

[theopuppy]

Bloomfields without a doubt.

Already got one. Really cramped despite the extra long horse area.

 

[Rowreach]

Julia has been running Peper Harow for decades, which says it all really.

I would probably use Kevin Parker if I were having one built, partly for me it would be logistics of getting it over to NI, but I'm really impressed with their build quality and attention to detail. I don't understand your comment about side ramps, OP? KP 3.5 and 4.5 boxes have side ramps?

 

[terrierliz]

Yes wondered about these.good to know. Is it easy to drive?

really easy and horses travel well

 

[theopuppy]

Julia has been running Peper Harow for decades, which says it all really.

I would probably use Kevin Parker if I were having one built, partly for me it would be logistics of getting it over to NI, but I'm really impressed with their build quality and attention to detail. I don't understand your comment about side ramps, OP? KP 3.5 and 4.5 boxes have side ramps?

Agree re KP quality. Enquired there years ago but they couldn’t make to my spec. The 4.5 can’t have a long horse area .. due to wheel arch. I want a horse area at least a 9’ 6” and also a large dog area. KP won’t do a 7.5 side ramp due to imbalance apparently so I would have to go herringbone… one of mine is unstable herringbone. Also not sure if can get the horse length herringbone.

 

[theopuppy]

really easy and horses travel well

Just had a look at the website. Despite them not being top end of the market would still need to scrimp to pay for one.. however looks like they are a possibility. Thanks

 

[theopuppy]

Just another question peeps.. forward facing??? Research shows that horses travel better backwards. Anyone had issues forward facing?I would give it a go but all hire lorries seem to be rear facing. Always travelled mine backwards.

 

[Abacus]

I had a forward facing 6.5 tonne and no problems with the direction of travel. Main issue was with the fact that the ramp was quite steep and narrow (old creaky horse didn’t love it). I think this is quite common as there isn’t the length of lorry to make it very wide, or the height to make it long enough to be shallow. But I believe there has been research showing that horses prefer to travel backwards.
If I were to have one made, I would put the ‘living’ at the back as with a 3.5 tonne so that the horses are in the centre and in front of the rear wheels. And would make it rear facing. Basically the same layout as most 3.5 tonnes.

 

[theopuppy]

I had a forward facing 6.5 tonne and no problems with the direction of travel. Main issue was with the fact that the ramp was quite steep and narrow (old creaky horse didn’t love it). I think this is quite common as there isn’t the length of lorry to make it very wide, or the height to make it long enough to be shallow. But I believe there has been research showing that horses prefer to travel backwards.
If I were to have one made, I would put the ‘living’ at the back as with a 3.5 tonne so that the horses are in the centre and in front of the rear wheels. And would make it rear facing. Basically the same layout as most 3.5 tonnes.

Yes remember the ramp was steep on my 7.5. I’ve got a bespoke rear facing 4.5 already with the horses between the wheels and a small day living. Small dog area behind the front seats where a crew cab would be. Problem is it’s really cramped and hard to get the 2nd big horse on as no turning space.

 

[blood_magik]

we had our 4.5T built around our big horse as he needs extra room for his head.

Might be worth asking Kevin if they can modify the weekender to allow for more space in the horse area and a smaller living?

 

[jhoward]

Huish horseboxes devon based

 

[Goldenstar]

@theopuppy if its you who has just posted, Iveco gearboxes are apparently 'clunky' (not sure about new ones) and I wouldn't use 'EE'

Have to say driving my 6.5 ton iveco is like driving a car

 

[theopuppy]

we had our 4.5T built around our big horse as he needs extra room for his head.

Might be worth asking Kevin if they can modify the weekender to allow for more space in the horse area and a smaller living?

Done that a few years ago. Think they can stretch to 9’ but I need more length. Also a bit squashed widthways for two and I’m on the payload limit tbh.

 

[theopuppy]

Have to say driving my 6.5 ton iveco is like driving a car

That’s good to know. I drove an older 6.5 a while ago and the gears were tricky. Newer ones must be better.

 

[theopuppy]

Huish horseboxes devon based

Long way away (5 hrs) but will check out thanks

 

[Abacus]

That’s good to know. I drove an older 6.5 a while ago and the gears were tricky. Newer ones must be better.

I was told the same by the Horseboxseller people near Banbury when I looked at one of theirs. I had an older Iveco which was clunky. Not terrible but not all that easy. He said the new ones are much better, I don't know in which year they changed.