Following on from the money/spending spree threads...horseboxes!

Bernster

Bernster

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 August 2011
Messages
8,140
Location
London
Visit site
I might be lucky enough to have a little windfall coming my way. Not quite a lottery win, but it is bonus time soon. I commented on those threads that if I did have some cash, I'd look at upgrading my horsebox. So I've checked out people's HHO recommendations and been looking at 4.5t boxes! Bloomfield and boss seems the best although I also quite like the equi hunter.

But is it silly to buy a 4.5t when it's restricted to those who have the right licence, although that's only relevant for re sale I suppose. I don't need a huge amount of living but if I'm going to get a bigger box it seems sensible to have the option of living.

Other thoughts on what's must have/nice to have with a 4.5t ish box?

Can I get my Vauxhall movano (currently 3.9t) upgraded to be a 4.5?

I'm assuming that would give me ample payload for two decent sized horses? Reckon I need 1.8kg to be comfortable.
 
My Bloomfields would have had 1200 kg payload if I had stayed with a basic Professional, but I had a load of other stuff put on, knowing that I would upgrade...

With a small living, spare wheel, toilet, tack locker, blown air, bigger ramp, water tank, horse shower etc etc I had around 800kgs, and although with one 16hh that *should* have been OK I had mine uprated to 3.9.

I don't think it was silly at all. I have bought it to keep, and I think it will still be worth a good amount when I do eventually sell.

The advantage of a small box to me was not who could drive it, as I intend to drive it myself, with OH, and we are both Class 2/ Class 1 drivers... it was that it is so compact, I am getting 30mpg (woo Hoo) out of it with a horse ON!!! The whole thing is just so easy to use. 30mpg is about double what I was getting from my big box.

I think Boss may come in the lightest of all, but I felt they were not quite as solid as the Bloomfields.

TBH I don't think any 3.5 tonne is really suitable for 2 horses, hence making mine for just one horse, and fully loaded.

I don't know about your current Movano, but a mechanic could easily tell you. When I had mine done I had the option to up it to 4.5 tonnes, it is a Renault Masta, so I don't see why not.

The only thing to consider is that when mine was uprated it does sit a little higher due to the bigger suspension parts (sorry, not technically minded), and it does not ride quite as soft. That is an advantage for round corners, but I would imagine that for 4.5 it would sit higher still, which means the horses would not be down between the wheels as much, so maybe not as stable as the 3.9?

BTW, we asked for a 3.9T but when t was done it actually came back as 3.95 Tonnes, so a bit more than I was expecting.

I did have to have a speed limiter on, and it has to be tested every year even from new.
 
As far as I know, only certain models can be uprated as 4.5t as I think they are rear wheel driver and a slightly high base (this is only what I remember from when i was looking last year so apologies if its wrong!). I know with mine, a Boss 3.5t, it could be uprated to 3.9, I would then need to do test and it would be limited. I think if you want 4.5 you need to look at Fiat/Citroen or very few renault masters but they are not generally used as they are higher so not as good for a horsebox. My boss is the XS so med one and has 1100kg of payload, if uprated to 3.9 it would be 1.5 of payload so for my 2 tb's it would be ok but probably not for all my stuff.
 
I share your concern about whether the resale value is as good, having uprated to 4.5 tonnes, as a large part of the value in the smaller boxes is that anyone can drive them. I tend to think that you might as well have 3.5 or 7.5, although I do see the point that the mid-sized boxes are more compact and probably more fuel efficient.

I would probably go for around 5 to 6 tonnes rather than 4.5, for the extra bit of payload and space. I have spent a while looking at them (Equicruiser, Owens, Peper Harrow and Thorpe all make nice 5 to 6 tonne boxes). I decided in the end that - as money is tight - rather than finance one of these very expensive boxes I would trade in my 3.5 for a 7.5 so that I can carry both horses. You just get so much more in a 7.5 tonne for some reason. However, I do prefer horses to travel forwards or backwards, so I looked for a 2-stall forward facing 7.5 tonne.

If I had a lovely windfall I would probably again at the mid-sized boxes. In my ideal dream world I would have a 3.5 tonne for days out with one horse and a 6 tonne for taking both.
 
Thanks. It sounds like with all the extra bits it's possible not to have as much payload as I was hoping, so will need to keep an eye on that. Some of the ones I've seen seem to have a lot of lorry behind the rear wheel, which looks a bit ugly but that may be the only way to fit it all in. The ones with the horses area in the middle lol like they'd be more comfortable to travel.
 
Thanks Abacus. The windfall won't stretch to me keeping my little box sadly! That would be extravagant haha. I def prefer the look and drive of the more compact box and I'd looked at some of those you mention but I might have another browse of the 5-6t category. Is your 7.5 still one of those smaller boxes, rather than the long iveco type? I started with a 21' from Thorpe which was fab but def prefer my dinky box now!
 
Have a look at Freddie Gover Horseboxes, he makes some brilliant lorries and knows what he is doing. We had a look around one of his (I think) 6.5tons and it was beautiful. Perfect for one or two horses with the luxury of a small living. We were very very very tempted and it wasn't massive compared to the 3.5tons really. I would have driven it happily but it would have meant me doing my test. Husband could have driven it but would have meant dragging the whole family out in the mean time. So we have an XL Boss instead as I only take one horse but if hubby and kids ever decide they want to come somewhere, they can. I know re sale is something to think about but I think it's important to get what you want and need and worry about selling it when it comes to it. I know a few people that love these lorries as where they live or where they are stabled, they are limited in lorry size. I think it's a bit like brown dressage saddles, someone will bite your hand off when it comes to it. Good luck and enjoy....very lucky!!!
 
Newlands said:
Have a look at Freddie Gover Horseboxes, he makes some brilliant lorries and knows what he is doing. We had a look around one of his (I think) 6.5tons and it was beautiful. Perfect for one or two horses with the luxury of a small living. We were very very very tempted and it wasn't massive compared to the 3.5tons really. I would have driven it happily but it would have meant me doing my test. Husband could have driven it but would have meant dragging the whole family out in the mean time. So we have an XL Boss instead as I only take one horse but if hubby and kids ever decide they want to come somewhere, they can. I know re sale is something to think about but I think it's important to get what you want and need and worry about selling it when it comes to it. I know a few people that love these lorries as where they live or where they are stabled, they are limited in lorry size. I think it's a bit like brown dressage saddles, someone will bite your hand off when it comes to it. Good luck and enjoy....very lucky!!!
Click to expand...

That's really useful stuff thanks. Will add that one to my list as well now, in fact both the boss and the Freddie grover ones. Would really like to see some in the flesh but I assume there isn't one place I can go see all my preferred dealers apart from on the internet haha.
 
How difficult is the C1 test? I passed my trailer test with no faults and an hour of training with an instructor. Have driven a 3.5 tonne box before so wondering how much training I would need to pass that test and get a 4.5 tonne box as that would surely be perfect for my two cobs (just over 500kg each).

Also while I'm at it how difficult is it to win the lottery to fund purchase of said box :D
 
On resale ,I went with a new 6.5 when I changed ( from 7.5 ) I looked at all sorts and the place I bought from sell used 4.5's like hot cakes .
 
FfionWinnie said:
How difficult is the C1 test? I passed my trailer test with no faults and an hour of training with an instructor. Have driven a 3.5 tonne box before so wondering how much training I would need to pass that test and get a 4.5 tonne box as that would surely be perfect for my two cobs (just over 500kg each).

Also while I'm at it how difficult is it to win the lottery to fund purchase of said box :D
Click to expand...

Can't answer the first as I'm an oldie. Few benefits but being able to drive a bigger lorry is one of them. But I bet it's easier, or at least more likely, to pass your c1 than to win the lottery !
 
Goldenstar said:
On resale ,I went with a new 6.5 when I changed ( from 7.5 ) I looked at all sorts and the place I bought from sell used 4.5's like hot cakes .
Click to expand...

Ooh good stuff. Who did you buy yours off if I may ask? The 6.5s look cute but with great payload and nice living. So many options !
 
Bernster said:
Can't answer the first as I'm an oldie. Few benefits but being able to drive a bigger lorry is one of them. But I bet it's easier, or at least more likely, to pass your c1 than to win the lottery !
Click to expand...

I missed "grandfather rights" by a year. I'm not sure if I would give up the year to have them now tho (would have at the time but 17 is a different ballgame isn't it LOL).

It's ok about the lottery as JFTD has given me this week's numbers so I know I am going to win. ;)
 
Bernster said:
Ooh good stuff. Who did you buy yours off if I may ask? The 6.5s look cute but with great payload and nice living. So many options !
Click to expand...

Mine was a gift from my OH it was from Alexanders .
It was new so I was there a fair bit as it went through build so I would browse the stock while my OH's talked stuff about mine and it struck me they where always selling them on .
I love my 6.5 ,payload is 1.8 it has a slide out living it would be 2 without .
It's easy to drive the living is compact but has everything including loo and shower.
Alexanders sold my old truck as well it took them two days .
 
When I was doing some research to take my test the vehicle they use for your training is a van anyway, so the same size as a 3.5 horsebox (before conversion anyway).

You're more than welcome to have a nosey at our Boss, we are near Gatwick and 5 mins from Freddie Gover too if that helps a bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top