Done to death I know but... 3.5t van conv vs coachbuilt

rising_promise

rising_promise

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Hi all, hoping you can offer some advice. I am looking to buy my own lorry in the near future and I'm looking at 3.5t. I've always driven 7.5t in the past (borrowed a friends on a very regular basis for the past 10 years!) but now looking to buy my own. I do have my C1 as have taken the test so can drive upto 7.5t but really want a 3.5t because of the convenience/ MOT rather than plating/ size/ cheaper to fix and maintain (hopefully!) etc etc.

I would love to be able to go with friends to competitions but am well aware I will only be able to carry my one TB (she's 15.2hh) in a 3.5t and wouldn't be travelling anything else in there with her, wouldn't risk it. I could obviously get something bigger that would enable me to take friends too but essentially I would just be doing this for others so I feel that, selfishly, I need to think about myself and just get a 3.5t which will be cheaper for me to run.

I am also aware that 3.5t are more expensive to buy than 7.5t because of their popularity these days but feel the lesser running costs will even that out.

So, I'll have around £10K to spend and am really asking for opinions on the van conversions. In an ideal world I would like a coachbuilt master/ movano rather than a conversion but these are obviously more expensive and I'm not sure I'll get a decent enough one for my budget. I have always been against van conversions and thought I would never have one but my friend at my yard has just bought a new one from Malrlborough and it looks great, very sturdy/ spacious. My horse loaded straight in it and fit happily with lots of room- we didn't go anywhere, just wanted to see what she looked like in it!

I have looked at Travel Two website which is extremely helpful but does say the coachbuilt offers a much better ride than the conversion which is very important to me.

Are they any different to riding in a trailer which she travels fine in?!

Any opinions would be gratefully received! :)
 
I have a van conversion and the horses tend to go to sleep travelling in it, no problems with the ride at all, my mare leaps in and hates waiting to have her travel boots put on. I would say they travel in it a bit better than in a trailer though it does depend on the driver of course!

I think the coach built look a bit prettier from the outside and have a bit more headroom inside but then they tend to have very slightly less payload too (I am generalising here)
 
I have travelled in a panel van and a luton van (i think thats the way they describe them haha!) the panel one is alot cheaper on fuel and alot less room than the luton type vans. We hired one from Barlows trailers and it was massive, lots of room for tack equipment, and I liked that one better although it did use more fuel than the panel one.

This is like the one we hired http://www.barlowtrailers.co.uk/Barlow_Duo_Horsebox_3.5t_Wagon/3-5t-horsebox-wagon-U1035, lots of room for the horse, we had a 16hh Traditional in there and he fit perfectly. We travelled up to scotland for a show so about 240 miles each way and i think we worked it out at about £22 per 100 miles

this was the other type http://www.3countieshorseboxes.co.uk/ and that was a lot cheaper on fuel we went all the way down to the Royal International then onto new forest then back home, I think about 700 miles and that used about 3/4 of a tank.

hope thats helped you a little bit :)

Also in the van one we can travel 2 section D's in but the luton type we can only travel one in as we would be overwieght i think with all the gear!
 
webble said:
I have a van conversion and the horses tend to go to sleep travelling in it, no problems with the ride at all, my mare leaps in and hates waiting to have her travel boots put on. I would say they travel in it a bit better than in a trailer though it does depend on the driver of course!

I think the coach built look a bit prettier from the outside and have a bit more headroom inside but then they tend to have very slightly less payload too (I am generalising here)
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That's good to know, how big is your mare?


Carrots&Mints said:
I have travelled in a panel van and a luton van (i think thats the way they describe them haha!) the panel one is alot cheaper on fuel and alot less room than the luton type vans. We hired one from Barlows trailers and it was massive, lots of room for tack equipment, and I liked that one better although it did use more fuel than the panel one.

This is like the one we hired http://www.barlowtrailers.co.uk/Barlow_Duo_Horsebox_3.5t_Wagon/3-5t-horsebox-wagon-U1035, lots of room for the horse, we had a 16hh Traditional in there and he fit perfectly. We travelled up to scotland for a show so about 240 miles each way and i think we worked it out at about £22 per 100 miles

this was the other type http://www.3countieshorseboxes.co.uk/ and that was a lot cheaper on fuel we went all the way down to the Royal International then onto new forest then back home, I think about 700 miles and that used about 3/4 of a tank.

hope thats helped you a little bit :)

Also in the van one we can travel 2 section D's in but the luton type we can only travel one in as we would be overwieght i think with all the gear!
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Thank you for that info, very interesting. I'd been looking at the 3 Counties conversions. Even though we're in Kent, might be worth travelling up there as they seem to have a good rep. My friends ins a Marlborough and that seems to be very well built too.
 
Mine is an older Ifor style top bolted on a flatbed truck; I went to the weighbridge and with me and some fuel it had about 900 kilos payload left (you can get newer/lighter than mine for your budget; it is pretty ancient!) so you may find that you can get something with more payload that would take yours and something smaller up to 14.2hh ok if your friend is happy to take a car with tack and whatever else you need for the day separately.

I couldn't afford a van conversion but actually I love mine so glad I ended up with it; it is practical, cheap to run and is very roomy (a friend loaded her 17hh warmblood into it just to show horse loaded ok to a prospective buyer and he was also comfortable standing in it and we were surprised how he didn't look cramped) and having heard stories of horses climbing over the partitions in the smaller vans I prefer the luton being separate. I just had a camera fitted so I can see/hear what is going on in the back.

My girl is exactly the same as yours size/type. Mine is forward facing and she travels well in it. I don't have any living but if I definitely only ever wanted to take my horse then I could put in a lightweight gas burner/cooker and make more of the luton space with proper mattress etc. We've slept in it overnight on camping mats and it was comfy enough and most places have catering/toilets anyway so prefer to keep the payload for possibly taking a friend with a lighter pony!
 
webble said:
14.2 I usually travel her with a 15hh connie x
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I think you would be better getting one from 3 counties then as you would get a better payload then being able to travel both ponies :)

Im sure my friend that we use is from 3 counties, just looking then and they look good value for money.
 
Carrots&Mints said:
I think you would be better getting one from 3 counties then as you would get a better payload then being able to travel both ponies :)

Im sure my friend that we use is from 3 counties, just looking then and they look good value for money.
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Im not getting on I already have one (although it is for sale!) I was just answering the OPs question
 
webble said:
14.2 I usually travel her with a 15hh connie x
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Thank you :)

Billabongchick said:
Mine is an older Ifor style top bolted on a flatbed truck; I went to the weighbridge and with me and some fuel it had about 900 kilos payload left (you can get newer/lighter than mine for your budget; it is pretty ancient!) so you may find that you can get something with more payload that would take yours and something smaller up to 14.2hh ok if your friend is happy to take a car with tack and whatever else you need for the day separately.

I couldn't afford a van conversion but actually I love mine so glad I ended up with it; it is practical, cheap to run and is very roomy (a friend loaded her 17hh warmblood into it just to show horse loaded ok to a prospective buyer and he was also comfortable standing in it and we were surprised how he didn't look cramped) and having heard stories of horses climbing over the partitions in the smaller vans I prefer the luton being separate. I just had a camera fitted so I can see/hear what is going on in the back.

My girl is exactly the same as yours size/type. Mine is forward facing and she travels well in it. I don't have any living but if I definitely only ever wanted to take my horse then I could put in a lightweight gas burner/cooker and make more of the luton space with proper mattress etc. We've slept in it overnight on camping mats and it was comfy enough and most places have catering/toilets anyway so prefer to keep the payload for possibly taking a friend with a lighter pony!
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All my friends horses are bigger than mine would never be able to take more than mine and that's fine, it's something I'll accept to be able to have a 3.5t over a 7.5t.

She is a very good traveller, I had a week when I travelled her in a friends Ifor trailer forwards, equitrek trailer backwards and herringbone in a 7.5t so she seems adaptable. She's raced in the past so I would think she'd be used to travelling in a 3.5t as they often used those as runarounds.
 
Yes; definitely would have to be solo trips then; in that case you could make the most of adding some day or even overnight living? I do like the look of the van conversions but they all seemed to be 15k+ when I was looking and they do look tiny in some cases.
 
Billabongchick said:
Yes; definitely would have to be solo trips then; in that case you could make the most of adding some day or even overnight living? I do like the look of the van conversions but they all seemed to be 15k+ when I was looking and they do look tiny in some cases.
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You seem to be able to get a decent one for £10- £12K, solid and well built by a reputable company. I think you can easily get it upto £15K if you add all the fancy extra bits.

The real thing I'm concerned about is the ride it gives the horse. I will take my mare out in my friend's Marlborough to see what she makes of it before I even look at any. I've had lots of people saying their horse loves it but you always read things from people saying they're not as stable as the coachbuilt Movano's therefore is is better to get a newer van conversion with less miles/ better spec than to get older coachbuilt one as they will probably be the same price?!
 
I have a Marlborough Hunter, which cost me just under £10k, in a private sale. I was very lucky to be the first to see it, and snapped it up.
I would always go for a coach built; better safety aspects. Have a good read of the Travel Two website; some brilliant advice on there.
 
Farcical1 said:
I have a Marlborough Hunter, which cost me just under £10k, in a private sale. I was very lucky to be the first to see it, and snapped it up.
I would always go for a coach built; better safety aspects. Have a good read of the Travel Two website; some brilliant advice on there.
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That seems very lucky judging by the prices around at the moment. I'm not sure I'd be able to get one at that price in the South East :(

I've read the Travel Two website, very interesting and informative isn't it. Ideally I would like one from them as they seem very trustworthy and have a good rep, I've known people with lorries from them.

Coachbuilt would always be my preference but I just think I might be better to get a newer conversion rather than an older coachbuilt... unless I can find a bargain! :)
 
Ive just made the decision to fit day living into my 3.5 van conversion. Its a fab little box, perfect for me and my one highland pony, occasionally husband and his bike to get out to local shows and for hacking trips. Its easy to drive and manouvre and wonderfully economical on fuel. I wanted to upgrade for day living but having looked at some awful 7.5t jobs have decided that the extra costs of a bigger lorry just arent worth it. We have weighed it with everything but the pony on board and have 900kg left so have worked out we can fit a unit with a sink and hob in and alter the current bench to make a more comfy sofa. We already carry a portaloo on board so with a sink and a hob plus somewhere to sit are sorted:) M loves it, hops up the ramp in one step and always travel well. Hubs fitted a camera so I can watch him and he never seems to do much other than doze or eat! I would prefer the coachbuilt, squarer shape but they are much more money and not really any bigger, they just look nicer.
 
I'm in kent and have a three counties one. My lorry man says he's not seen a better built conversion. I will be going back to them if I ever get another even though they are so far away.
Only thing I would say is get an addition made to fill in above the breast bar. My cob went over and got stuck in the back. He managed to get himself over and escaped through the back doors but worth the little it costs to get that done.
 
I have a renault master van conversion , 56 plate . Excellent drive. It will be being sold when the new Iveco is done we have bought . I carry my sons M/W irish 14.3hh and a 13hh l/w NF together but that would be my limit . i saw some that have hardly any ventilation . We paid extra to have theshaped panels put on rather than the flat sides as they look nicer . I am in kent and happy for you to come and have a drive . Mine travel well and load well . good luck in your search
 
[deleted user] said:
I'm in kent and have a three counties one. My lorry man says he's not seen a better built conversion. I will be going back to them if I ever get another even though they are so far away.
Only thing I would say is get an addition made to fill in above the breast bar. My cob went over and got stuck in the back. He managed to get himself over and escaped through the back doors but worth the little it costs to get that done.
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Very good to know, thank you :)

maree t said:
I have a renault master van conversion , 56 plate . Excellent drive. It will be being sold when the new Iveco is done we have bought . I carry my sons M/W irish 14.3hh and a 13hh l/w NF together but that would be my limit . i saw some that have hardly any ventilation . We paid extra to have theshaped panels put on rather than the flat sides as they look nicer . I am in kent and happy for you to come and have a drive . Mine travel well and load well . good luck in your search
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That's a very kind offer, thank you :) My friend on my yard has one so I'll take my mare out in that and see what she makes of it. Another yard member also has a coachbuilt version which she wouldn't mind me testing so hopefully we can get something :)
 
I used to have a coach built 3.5t on a renault master chassis, but now have a straight van conversion, again another Three Counties job, and in terms of the ride (for the horses), would say there is no difference.

I sold my coachbuilt as it was an older model and therefore started to cost more in maintenance. It cost £9 k to buy and was an L reg, but was very reliable and smart. It was built to take 17hhs but only had the payload to take one at this height. My van conversion cost the same to buy but on a 2002 plate, so has all the advantages of a more modern veichle, such as power steering, stereo etc. i have a higher payload (1250 kgs), but can only carry up to 16hh. I can travel our 2 x 14.2hhs but have to be careful on anything else I carry with both on board.

At your budget, you may well find and older coachbuilt conversion, but just bear in mind it may cost more to look after mechanically and have a higher payload. Whereas if you buy a straight van conversion, you could get an all singing and dancing model!
 
L&M said:
I used to have a coach built 3.5t on a renault master chassis, but now have a straight van conversion, again another Three Counties job, and in terms of the ride (for the horses), would say there is no difference.

I sold my coachbuilt as it was an older model and therefore started to cost more in maintenance. It cost £9 k to buy and was an L reg, but was very reliable and smart. It was built to take 17hhs but only had the payload to take one at this height. My van conversion cost the same to buy but on a 2002 plate, so has all the advantages of a more modern veichle, such as power steering, stereo etc. i have a higher payload (1250 kgs), but can only carry up to 16hh. I can travel our 2 x 14.2hhs but have to be careful on anything else I carry with both on board.

At your budget, you may well find and older coachbuilt conversion, but just bear in mind it may cost more to look after mechanically and have a higher payload. Whereas if you buy a straight van conversion, you could get an all singing and dancing model!
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Music to my ears! ;)

This is handy info and just the kind of feedback I wanted, ta very muchly :)
 
rising_promise said:
Shameless 'bump' but any more opinions/ experiences?

Thank you :)
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Only that I've got a van conversion from Three Counties Horseboxes which I have had for about five years now, I am very, very happy with it.

I think the other ones look a bit smarter from the outside (in terms that they look more like a 'horsebox') but I have travelled many different types of horses/ponies in mine and they all seem to love it.
 
I have a coach built on a Renault master. Mine is 08 I think. I love mine. We do quite a few miles, about 5000 a year and haven't had any problems really. I have travelled two horses in but with all other tack etc going with the other person. Generally it is just my 15.1 cob though. He travels very well in it, don't hear a sound from him unless he needs a wee!

I don't have any living in mine as wanted as much payload as possible, 1.2 tonne, and don't stay in it anyway. Mine could take a 17 hh horse but anything bigger would probably find it a bit small. I really like the wide door at the back as much easier to get saddles in and out. Also horse can get out in an emergency. I have two separate jockey doors so you can access either horse if you need to which is quite handy.
 
Don't forget your local man who has a wealth of experience converting boxes, not advertised like the big names but may be as good or better. I picked up my new 3.5 conversion yesterday, coachbuilt on a newish Renault Master chassis and designed to fit my pony in the middle and carriage in the back. Working with someone like this you can get what you need. Can't wait to get out in it now. Hope everyone else doesn't have to wait till they are 60 to get one!
 
I have a van style Reanult master which i love. I just carry my 13.1hh fell in mine who fits perfectly but i have taken 2 before about his size (450kg) with no problems. i have a huge cupboard in mine to maximise storage - my lad basically stands with his head over the top of the cupboard so i have a nice flat worktop area on top of the cupboard and then the cupboard has a saddle rack and lots of storage space in it. I also have hooks on the back of the door where i hang my bp, jacket in a bag and bridle bag etc. To stop it swinging about i have 4 small D rings screwed to the door - 2 either side of the hooks and I stretch elastic bungie cords across everything to hold it still whilst we travel.

One thing i was concerned about was ventilation but mine has a window in horse area (near the horses's back) and then 2 windows (one either side) in the "living" area, plus 2 roof vents and i also have an electric fan in the roof which i switch on from a switch in the cab which i use in the summer. My pony is quite a warm pony and he stays nice and cool in there.

Mine has been the best purchase ever (after the horse!) and I've done pony camp in it and a few weeks ago i camped in it for 4 nights at Equifest.
 
Meems said:
Only that I've got a van conversion from Three Counties Horseboxes which I have had for about five years now, I am very, very happy with it.

I think the other ones look a bit smarter from the outside (in terms that they look more like a 'horsebox') but I have travelled many different types of horses/ponies in mine and they all seem to love it.
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Thank you, it's the way they travel that's more of a concern to me so that's reassuring :)

tiga71 said:
I have a coach built on a Renault master. Mine is 08 I think. I love mine. We do quite a few miles, about 5000 a year and haven't had any problems really. I have travelled two horses in but with all other tack etc going with the other person. Generally it is just my 15.1 cob though. He travels very well in it, don't hear a sound from him unless he needs a wee!

I don't have any living in mine as wanted as much payload as possible, 1.2 tonne, and don't stay in it anyway. Mine could take a 17 hh horse but anything bigger would probably find it a bit small. I really like the wide door at the back as much easier to get saddles in and out. Also horse can get out in an emergency. I have two separate jockey doors so you can access either horse if you need to which is quite handy.
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Good to know, mine's a 15.2 TB on her tiptoes and is a good traveller. Definitely want the jockey door though.

Borderreiver said:
Don't forget your local man who has a wealth of experience converting boxes, not advertised like the big names but may be as good or better. I picked up my new 3.5 conversion yesterday, coachbuilt on a newish Renault Master chassis and designed to fit my pony in the middle and carriage in the back. Working with someone like this you can get what you need. Can't wait to get out in it now. Hope everyone else doesn't have to wait till they are 60 to get one!
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I've had a Google and can't find any local converters in Kent/ Sussex. I'm sure there must be some so would happily take some recommendations! :)

Walrus said:
I have a van style Reanult master which i love. I just carry my 13.1hh fell in mine who fits perfectly but i have taken 2 before about his size (450kg) with no problems. i have a huge cupboard in mine to maximise storage - my lad basically stands with his head over the top of the cupboard so i have a nice flat worktop area on top of the cupboard and then the cupboard has a saddle rack and lots of storage space in it. I also have hooks on the back of the door where i hang my bp, jacket in a bag and bridle bag etc. To stop it swinging about i have 4 small D rings screwed to the door - 2 either side of the hooks and I stretch elastic bungie cords across everything to hold it still whilst we travel.

One thing i was concerned about was ventilation but mine has a window in horse area (near the horses's back) and then 2 windows (one either side) in the "living" area, plus 2 roof vents and i also have an electric fan in the roof which i switch on from a switch in the cab which i use in the summer. My pony is quite a warm pony and he stays nice and cool in there.

Mine has been the best purchase ever (after the horse!) and I've done pony camp in it and a few weeks ago i camped in it for 4 nights at Equifest.
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Yes, ventilation is another issue too as mine's quite a hot bod and sometimes does get hot travelling. I would definitely get some extra windows put in like you have and the fan is a great idea :)
 
Second the fan and vents in the roof. I always use my fan and it really makes a difference in the summer. I also have three windows in the back.

Mine has a window between the cab and horse area. I prefer this to the camera as travelling on my own I wouldn't legally be able to use the video anyway, but with the window I can hear how he is and I can talk to him. Though he probably does get sick of me nattering to him about where we are going ;)
 
tiga71 said:
Second the fan and vents in the roof. I always use my fan and it really makes a difference in the summer. I also have three windows in the back.

Mine has a window between the cab and horse area. I prefer this to the camera as travelling on my own I wouldn't legally be able to use the video anyway, but with the window I can hear how he is and I can talk to him. Though he probably does get sick of me nattering to him about where we are going ;)
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Yes I'd want a window between me and the horse too. When I take her in the 7.5t I always keep the door between the living and the horses open, partly to keep the air flowing and also to chat to her on the journey!
 
Beware the window between horse and driver !!!!! the smell-o-vision is overwhelming haha !! very useful though although I do have a monitor too with one camera for horse area and one for reversing ! I also have a light in horse area I can turn on/off from cab and light in rear which is useful.

I looked at three counties but their pricing was a little steep for me - I went to burley horseboxes in andover (shows you every stage of build when you visit) - very pleased - ended up with a newer van with less miles (did buy van myself and got it converted) - at three counties I could have only afforded the basic conversion and high mileage van.
 
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