Going to view a 3.5ton box - advice.

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SonnysHumanSlave

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Going to view a little 3.5ton horsebox this afternoon.

It has no tax or MOT, but ive done an MOT checker and it hasnt even had an attempt to be tested since it ran out in december, so happy with that.

Its a bit of a bargain.

Just wondered if anyone could offer me any advice on anything I should look out for. Taking OH whos a much more mechanically minded then me.

:)
 
SonnysHumanSlave said:
Going to view a little 3.5ton horsebox this afternoon.

It has no tax or MOT, but ive done an MOT checker and it hasnt even had an attempt to be tested since it ran out in december, so happy with that.

Its a bit of a bargain.

Just wondered if anyone could offer me any advice on anything I should look out for. Taking OH whos a much more mechanically minded then me.

:)
Click to expand...

no advice really, just to say jealous much!! :D
 
Make sure you will have enough capacity to carry what you want to. Ask what payload is....... and remember to factor in people, water, fuel etc into your calculations. The little lorry I just sold could take 1400kg and that was a 4.5 tonne, but since it was older everything weighed so much more - all solid wood not light ali. Ask for a weight certificate unladen.
 
Ideally these boxes should have an arrangement to stop horses jumping over the bar into the groom's area. Not the end of the world as you can fit anti-weave grilles or other devices. Some have a tie ring on the floor so the head can't come up too high.

Ditto the weight certificate.

Try lifting the ramp alone - some are surprisingly heavy even though they don't seem that big.

Do you know your horse will travel in one? I would also borrow one to check - some don't like them for some reason, although I have never had a problem. Would be a shame to get it home to a horse that says no...

From another perspective, if you leave a deposit, make sure the receipt states clearly what it is for. Also, how are you going to get it home without an MOT or tax? You'll have to book it in for the test and drive it straight there, I think.
 
Check the weight of the veihcle by taking it to a weighbridge. Many of these vehicles weigh far to much empty which means that they go overweight with a horse in it which is illegal.
You need to get both the lorry and container thoroughly checked by someone who knows what they are doing especially the floor and container of the container.
Vehicles are rarely a bargain and can in many cases cost a fortune to put right.
 
SonnysHumanSlave said:
Going to view a little 3.5ton horsebox this afternoon.

It has no tax or MOT, but ive done an MOT checker and it hasnt even had an attempt to be tested since it ran out in december, so happy with that.

Its a bit of a bargain.

Just wondered if anyone could offer me any advice on anything I should look out for. Taking OH whos a much more mechanically minded then me.

:)
Click to expand...

You really MUST check it has a reinforced bulkhead (the bit between you and horses). However much you love them, you don't want them sitting on your lap in an accident. I have one btw, lifechanging in a very good way!
 
If you live on a road and have tarmac and flat show etc fields it will need to drive on, the low floor and shallow ramp of Renault master type boxes are very popular. (front wheel drive means no driveshaft that floor has to be raised above)

However if you live on potholey track in the wilds like me, or attend venues which are slippy slick mud or very bumpy lumpy you might need a box with a higher clearance, a 4wd or rear wheel drive one will have this (like our VW LT35), they can be a bit better in slippy ground too.

Check head height for horses, weighbridge certificate (or take to one, ideally with everything in it you would take to a show except the horse, to see how much weight you have for the horse), check strength of bulkhead (panel between horse/living area and cab). Also check suspension and floor.

You could look at the MOT thing another way, maybe they didnt put it in for it for a reason...:-))
 
Ceck the floor, if the box has been standing for any length of time at all. Don't just check from the inside, crawl underneath and thoroughly check the floor for soft spots. Agree with check the weight, if it has ANY living at all it will compromise the weight of horse and equipment.
 
Well went and had a look.... and its a no go.

It needed some bits of welding, and other stuff to tidy it up before the MOT Although nothing to major.

I did put an offer in, it was refused, and I really dont want to go higher on such a risky box. So the search goes on.

Im not convinced my horse would fit in it side ways either. And it was hard to look at the floor in the back as it had stuff in it. Although it would make a nice little box done up. I actually think im going to have to bite the bullet and do my test so I can get something a little bigger then a 3.5ton.

Thanks for the advice... and the search goes on, im not in any rush it would've been a bit disruptive to my show schedule, so i'll keep my trailer while I keep looking.
 
I would suggest measuring your horse, as the space can look deceptively short. I worried about mine being long enough, but it was just my eye's not very good, and in the end you could park a bus between her bum and the 'wall'!
 
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