First horsebox (3.5t) advice?

Thank you all, honestly if anyone has a box they want to sell to me then please let me know :P very good home awaits :)

Fully prepared to travel for the right one! Thanks for the tip MP about contacting TravelTwo, I will do that!
 
Polly is always worth speaking to I think,

A friend/ex hhoer is selling her 05 marlborough hunter still I think, she's not had it long it was a stop gap until she got another 7,5t but looks smart enough. Totally wrong side of the country though!
 
Here is just one of the many examples of towing on a B licence - many more on the HHO TOWING CLINIC thread - link below in signature

Skoda Octavia 4x4
GVW just under 2000
Towing capacity 1800

IW HB403 trailer
MAM 1500 - down plated from 1600 by contact with IW (cost about £50)
Empty 780 so can carry 720 in the trailer
 
Thanks ROG, yes had considered it but for time being a 3.5 box is best option for me. Might look to change set up at a later date as we may upgrade our car (OH not willing to give up his precious Megane just yet!). Thanks for the info!

Ester, I would appreciate details if you have them!

Have also left a message with Polly at Travel Two :)
 
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Embo said:
Thanks ROG, yes had considered it but for time being a 3.5 box is best option for me. Might look to change set up at a later date as we may upgrade our car (OH not willing to give up his precious Megane just yet!). Thanks for the info!

Ester, I would appreciate details if you have them!

Have also left a message with Polly at Travel Two :)
Click to expand...
Which megane does OH have ? = https://www.carleasingmadesimple.com/data/renault/megane/towing-weight-limit/

Most have a GVW under 2000 but only some have a tow limit in the 1400/1500 range
 
I will say if I was only transporting one horse, having spent 10 years without our trailer I much prefer a box it was soo much easier especially when trying to pop out of an evening than loading truck, hitching and loading ponies. Only ever downside was if there was mud but it was never a real issue.

I'll see if it's still available :)
 
Thanks ROG, it's a 2009 1.6l 'World Series' (basically a Dynamique with a body kit - I don't think you could get a tow bar on it because of this) 3 door coupe. Even if it could tow, OH would die before he let me tow with it, it took him about 4 years just to let me drive it :D

Thank you, Ester!! Appreciate it. I also like the idea of being able to leave a lot of stuff in the lorry (travel boots, wash kit, etc...). I'm quite lazy so like as little faff as possible :D
 
Embo said:
Hi all, just after some advice from you wise lot!

I'm now in a position where I want to buy my own box. I've been lucky enough to have a friend transport me about in her trailer for a few years now. She is sadly giving up horses so will be selling her truck & trailer once her horse has sold, so I'm going to take the plunge and get my own transport.

I've weighed up my options & costs, including doing Cat C test or buying a trailer & upgrading to a towing car, or simply just hiring. After lengthy discussions with friends and my OH, I've decided that getting a 3.5t lorry is best option for me for now.

So I'm currently looking around to see what's available. The market is flooded with van conversions. It's likely that I will go for one of these as that's what is readily available.

I will only be travelling my horse who is 15.3hh (but chunky) and weighs around 550KG. He's excellent to load and travel. I've seen a few VW LT35 trucks, and I just love the look of these, but the payload on them tends to be around 800kg max, which could be a bit tight (I'm wary, not really knowing how much tack, fuel, water, loads of other kit and 2x people would realistically weigh!). I have a modest budget, so don't want anything new, and not concerned about bells or whistles!

My biggest concern is safety, followed by payload. Any advice, pros/cons regarding these types of boxes is appreciated. What should I look out for? Which conversion companies are the best (and which to avoid)? If you have one, do you like it? Not like it?

I'm not in any rush at all and will wait for the right box, but I'd love to hear what you all think! :)
Click to expand...
This is what I collected from years ago when viewing a few boxes and also tips an old friend gave me. Before viewing and buying.

Phase 1. The planning phase


Can you afford the vehicle and the up keep
How many horses you will be transporting
What does your driving licence allow you to drive
Have you got a good mechanic to keep it well maintained and tested.
Older boxes / trailers will require more more and parts are harder to find and can be more expensive
Does your horse travel better herringbone - forward facing or rear facing
What type of living do you need day or night
Have you got safe storage for the vehicle.
You need to be aware of insurance costs depending on size / weight
What security are you planning ( steering lock -tracker-wheel clamp.)
Make sure your happy with diesel not petrol as they are expensive to run
Find how much storage is if you keep it at a yard and if it is safe and has CCTV

The Active Phase


You need to go out and drive a few first before you seriously looking ( unless one suitable comes up )
Check vehicle for damp area : ( under chassi - horse body )
Walk round vehicle make more of any defects
Check tyres for uneven wear or bald spots
does it look like vehicle has been used or is the grass growing round it like stored for along time.
Check cab for rust
Check cab inside for holes in floor
Check body outside for damage take particular attention round the ramps for rust and worn out springs
Have a good look under the body for damage
Check the ramp for damage and if it goes up and down easy
Check the gates make sure they are in working order no damage
inside the horse area check partitions for damage and opening and closing
Trailers check electrics and the towing bar which connects to car for damage
Check round the edge inside for rotten areas I recommend these by banging round the floor they will show you weak spots
Stand in the back of horse area legs apart and see how stable box is by trying to rock vehicle from side to side this will tell you how horse will find it in high winds.
Check the ceiling for leaks and damp spots
Check jockey door from horse area to living
check the living area lights cupboards for any damage ask if any of the appliances work or not.
Check the lights


The Testing/driving Phase

If you have checked all the above and find nothing to put you off
In the cab check to see if any warning lights remain on
Check lights work indicators etc
Test drive ( note any warning signs that remain on )
Check how easy the gear change is
Check if vehicle pulls to right or left when you drive or brake this means wheels are out of alignment or other reason
Does it drive well
Does it feel heavy on the straight or corners
does it pull away from stand still ok or is it sluggish
How easy is it top manoeuvre sharp turns or backing to turn round
Is it quite nippy
If slow when empty it will be slower when loaded depending on size of horse(s)
Ask friend or owner to drive box(trailer) and stand in the horse area and see what sort of ride this will give your horse


Checking legal Phase

Check the vin number
Ask to see the previous MOT papers
Has it ever been in an accident which they had it
How old are the batteries
Check any other paperwork (sales receipts etc)
Check the log book


Mechanical Phase

If your still happy with all of the above arrange for your mechanic to go test drive and give it the once over
Find a good Pre Purchase Test Mechanic who can check it thoroughly and advise him to take pictures of any issues to show the vendor and to prove what he is saying is correct, to avoid complications later.
Report to him any findings you have found on the vehicle or driving
If mechanic is happy but found some issues talk to horsebox seller and see if they will rectify serious issues or will come down in price.
Once happy you should have a safe horsebox and one you can enjoy
 
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ILuvCowparsely said:
This is what I collected from years ago when viewing a few boxes and also tips an old friend gave me. Before viewing and buying.

Phase 1. The planning phase


Can you afford the vehicle and the up keep
How many horses you will be transporting
What does your driving licence allow you to drive
Have you got a good mechanic to keep it well maintained and tested.
Older boxes / trailers will require more more and parts are harder to find and can be more expensive
Does your horse travel better herringbone - forward facing or rear facing
What type of living do you need day or night
Have you got safe storage for the vehicle.
You need to be aware of insurance costs depending on size / weight
What security are you planning ( steering lock -tracker-wheel clamp.)
Make sure your happy with diesel not petrol as they are expensive to run
Find how much storage is if you keep it at a yard and if it is safe and has CCTV

The Active Phase


You need to go out and drive a few first before you seriously looking ( unless one suitable comes up )
Check vehicle for damp area : ( under chassi - horse body )
Walk round vehicle make more of any defects
Check tyres for uneven wear or bald spots
does it look like vehicle has been used or is the grass growing round it like stored for along time.
Check cab for rust
Check cab inside for holes in floor
Check body outside for damage take particular attention round the ramps for rust and worn out springs
Have a good look under the body for damage
Check the ramp for damage and if it goes up and down easy
Check the gates make sure they are in working order no damage
inside the horse area check partitions for damage and opening and closing
Trailers check electrics and the towing bar which connects to car for damage
Check round the edge inside for rotten areas I recommend these by banging round the floor they will show you weak spots
Stand in the back of horse area legs apart and see how stable box is by trying to rock vehicle from side to side this will tell you how horse will find it in high winds.
Check the ceiling for leaks and damp spots
Check jockey door from horse area to living
check the living area lights cupboards for any damage ask if any of the appliances work or not.
Check the lights


The Testing/driving Phase

If you have checked all the above and find nothing to put you off
In the cab check to see if any warning lights remain on
Check lights work indicators etc
Test drive ( note any warning signs that remain on )
Check how easy the gear change is
Check if vehicle pulls to right or left when you drive or brake this means wheels are out of alignment or other reason
Does it drive well
Does it feel heavy on the straight or corners
does it pull away from stand still ok or is it sluggish
How easy is it top manoeuvre sharp turns or backing to turn round
Is it quite nippy
If slow when empty it will be slower when loaded depending on size of horse(s)
Ask friend or owner to drive box(trailer) and stand in the horse area and see what sort of ride this will give your horse


Checking legal Phase

Check the vin number
Ask to see the previous MOT papers
Has it ever been in an accident which they had it
How old are the batteries
Check any other paperwork (sales receipts etc)
Check the log book


Mechanical Phase

If your still happy with all of the above arrange for your mechanic to go test drive and give it the once over
Find a good Pre Purchase Test Mechanic who can check it thoroughly and advise him to take pictures of any issues to show the vendor and to prove what he is saying is correct, to avoid complications later.
Report to him any findings you have found on the vehicle or driving
If mechanic is happy but found some issues talk to horsebox seller and see if they will rectify serious issues or will come down in price.
Once happy you should have a safe horsebox and one you can enjoy
Click to expand...

Thanks so much, this is great! Really useful, especially the checking the vehicle part. I really wouldn't know what to look for expect the obvious (checking ramp, obvious signs of rust etc).

Think I might print this off and use as a checklist!
 
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