Equi-Trek Sonic, Boss 35X and John Oates Classic 2

eriskaypony

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We are looking at buying a 3.5 ton horsebox and the above are what we are considering. A friend has a Boss 35X and loves it, we hear varying things about the Equi-Trek but can hire one, and Clarkson Commercials in Glasgow are agents for John Oates and they are a well known commercial vehicle supplier which gives us a bit of confidence.

Does anyone have any experience and views on the above?

Thanks
 
My friend has got a John Oates, she had it built last year and dealt direct with them and is very happy. It's been back a couple of times for things she wanted altered and I think a snagging issue and they sorted it without quibbling.
 
I had a boss from 2010 till I sold it last year... it was a wonderful box.. had long wheel base Renault master chasiss .. horse shower, three external lockers, none impinged on horse area, one held water and a gas bottle for the little one ring sink/ cooker. One I kept boots bandages buckets in and a large two saddle three bridle one
I had a payload of 1200 kg Eva mats on floor and side wall and e enforced bulkhead. Horses travelled backwards and the ramp was on driver side. Full partition to grooms area and a collapsing BB ..all in all if I ever had another horse/horses I would never hesitate to get another.. they just are on a different class to some other 3.5 lorries
He factory is in flint N Wales, and Paul always welcomes people to come and see them being built.. have a weekend trip to wales and take a look ..
 
I should hopefully be getting mine we've had built at Bethmans horseboxes this week. We've been to see it several times through out the build and Mark has been very good and thorough making sure everything is done to the highest standard and even little things to make my life slightly easier have been thought about. So excited to get it. His boxes are fantastic but I don't believe he is taking on any more builds until July time now.
 
I am intrigued as to how Equi Trek manages to be so successful when there are so many negative comments about them.

I've wondered this about them too. Unfortunately they seem to be the only option where I am as they have a dealership here and its difficult to get other trucks here.
 
Equi-Trek had a great idea when they designed trailers. Horses travel better backwards, side load gives your horse more space to load, turn and is more inviting than a rear load. If gives you more space for all of your kit so your car isn't packed to the rafters. In all a brilliant concept.

But...

The build quality is awful and their customer service leaves a lot to b desired! But people being people still buy as it's convenient despite the reputation.

As to the 3.5t they are popular from Equi-Trek because they are some of the cheapest on the market. And it shows. Things go wrong with them left right and centre. Mostly things you could out down as 'just one of those tuings' but these little things add up. The ramp springs/hydrolic do dahs give up quickly, the rubber floor pulls away, same on the ramps, the side arms bend in the wind etc. All small things that add up. After 2-3 years bigger things start to go wrong. And good luck getting Equi-Trek to fix any of it!
 
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