Good 3.5 ton lorries. 2 horses & sleep 2.

becca1305

becca1305

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Hi guys

Been browsing the ridiculously complicated world of 3.5 ton horse boxes (complicated because of stupid car licence restrictions).

I need a relatively modern (2003 onwards) 3.5 ton lorry which when fully loaded can be driven on my stingy car licence with a budget of around £10k- £20k.

Must happily hold 2 horses and be able to squeeze one (up to) 17.2hh in there. Also must have some form of double mattress/ arrangement to sleep two people laid next to each other... don't mind if its above the cab I shotgun the side away from the drop!

Wondering if any of you lovely people have experiences of such lorries or have been lorry shopping as I really don't want to have to traipse the country just to see if they MIGHT be suitable!

Thanks :)
 
My understanding is that the maximum payload of these lorries is around 1.2 to 1.4 tonnes (the latter with no living), so you would really struggle to get two horses in there. Two ponies or one horse would be OK. The 17.2hh may struggle with head height so make sure you look at the dimensions really carefully. I have yet to see one that can fit sleeping space but you never know!

If you can upgrade your license to up to 7.5 tonnes you will have a much better choice, especially for such a decent budget.
 
becca1305 said:
Hi guys



Must happily hold 2 horses and be able to squeeze one (up to) 17.2hh in there. Also must have some form of double mattress/ arrangement to sleep two people laid next to each other... don't mind if its above the cab I shotgun the side away from the drop!

Wondering if any of you lovely people have experiences of such lorries or have been lorry shopping as I really don't want to have to traipse the country just to see if they MIGHT be suitable!

Thanks :)
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You cant do it with a 3.5tonne box .If it was light enough I would not want to put one horse in it let alone 2 im afraid.
 
becca1305 said:
Hi guys

Been browsing the ridiculously complicated world of 3.5 ton horse boxes (complicated because of stupid car licence restrictions).

I need a relatively modern (2003 onwards) 3.5 ton lorry which when fully loaded can be driven on my stingy car licence with a budget of around £10k- £20k.

Must happily hold 2 horses and be able to squeeze one (up to) 17.2hh in there. Also must have some form of double mattress/ arrangement to sleep two people laid next to each other... don't mind if its above the cab I shotgun the side away from the drop!

Wondering if any of you lovely people have experiences of such lorries or have been lorry shopping as I really don't want to have to traipse the country just to see if they MIGHT be suitable!

Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Forget the over priced toy lorrys they are for people who only want to carry 1 horse or 2 ponys and dont mind living the size of a broom cupboard , best to invest in HGV driving lessons and then a world of nice lorrys is yours, better value and will be up to doing what you want...
 
You would be much better off paying to upgrade your car license and then you will have access to numerous boxes that will meet your criteria.
 
Ive found quite a few which say they carry 2 horses and day living... such as the duo weekender, alexanders york. They dont seem to specify weights which is annoying with the duo claiming to have a payload to take two horses but of what size?! The real problem is simply sleeping space... I dont mind having tiny living with no facilities as long as there is room to sleep 2 over the cab or somewhere else on board!

Thanks for the links :) I hadnt looked at Boss horseboxes.

Ahh our licences now are just so irritating! I would love to take my HGV test get a slightly bigger lorry but the way of convincing my parents to let me get rid of the trailer (which I would hate pulling with horses in -on my todd in particular!) was to point out I could drive a little lorry without taking another test :/.
 
They'll carry them for sure. Not legally though. They mean they have space for them!

The best two horse box Ive ever heard of is the VW lt3.5 the side load ones - however I just don't think you'll get anything with living as well on a 3.5T that'll have payload over to take two!
 
As others have said, there is no way you will legally carry two horses (especially if one is 17.2) with a 3.5 tonner. Despite what the manufacturers may tell you they are designed for one horse or two ponies (or v small, lightweight horses) really especially if you want some kind of living as well.
 
You might get one that will fit two small horses in but will be borderline. My friend has an LT35 that has decent-ish living, compact but useful. But she can only put one horse in. It came with a partition but would only have fitted 2 x 14.2, and even with no partition wouldn't take 17.hh.
With that kind of budget buying a 7.5 t and taking your test really shouldn't be an issue - I did test and bought my first lorry for £5k.
 
As others have said, thats just not possible. Only way to carry two is to upgrade to a 7.5.

I have a 7.5 which is stalled for 4 but couldnt carry 4. I would only put 2 in it, or 3 ponies/babies. It is 5.2 tons unladen so I can put 2.3 tons of horse, fuel, tack, water, people etc in it and it all adds up pretty quickly!
 
If you must have a 3.5, can you bear to sleep in the horse area? Presumably the horses won't be in it overnight :)?? You can roll up a 2 inch thick memory foam mattress and carry it in the storage area. If you buy one of the right quality it does fine to stop the floor being too hard, we have one in our luton (bigger lorry). A camping stove will give you hot food and drink. Wet wipes do a great job of replacing a shower :) Porta-potti if you really, really need a loo with you, though you'd be really tight for space for it. Might just be easier to take your test though, do you know you can do "concentrated" courses of a week and take the test at the end of it?
 
You won't legally be able to carry two. You need to add the horses weight, tack and other equipment, the weight of the driver and passengers, the diesel and any hay etc. It can't be legally done with a 3.5.
 
Unless you are really prepared to slum it, it's not possible! And even then you'd be sailing very close to the weight limit!

I have a 3.5t Vauxhall Movano (conversion type) which will, can and does take 2 small horses legally and safely. However, it is very minimalist inside to save as much weight as possible and I am very careful what I carry on the rare occasion I travel 2 horses in it. Basically it is a self propelled trailer. You can get raised roof versions which will take a taller horse. (To all the 3.5t naysayers, everyone who has ever looked inside is really surprised how much room the horses have, they are like the Tardis!)

It's certainly possible to get 3.5t with some degree of living, but in the words of the guy who built mine "I can put whatever you want in it, full kitchen and everything, but each item you put in takes off your payload." There is storage space above the cab but no one but the smallest child could sleep there! Very handy for rugs and stuff but not big enough to sleep.

As others have said, I think you would be better to have some lessons and get the LGV test. I love my little lorry but I mainly only transport one horse, and only for day trips so I don't need anywhere to cook or sleep.

If you do go for a 3.5t get it weighed and work out what you can legally carry. Ford Transits and especially VW's are very heavy before you put anything in them, I know of someone who merrily drives round with 2 horses in a 3.5t VW that weighs 3.5t unladen. She hasn't been caught, yet!
 
some of you people need to do some research before making such assumptions! for you are, im afraid, incorrect.

ive just had a 3.5 purpose built to sleep 2 and carry 2 x 17handers, comfortably and spaciously. before anyone starts about weights or safety, its got almost 1.4 payload, plenty of height and its aluminium build with a reinforced bulkhead front and back and seperate (tiny) living.
ill be towing a lockable trailer for away shows when i need to carry more gear to ensure im not overweight.

ive had my horses weighed so i know exactly what they weigh. my biggest for example is a 17h KWPN med weight, shes 620kg. my 2 others are 500 and 510.

It CAN be done! BUT you need some one used to doing such conversions and have to accept a pretty spray job may not be possible due to the fact that the sides are ali plate not the standard stuff, which lessens weight considerably!

it is stable, tough, reinforced and virtually no sway / roll.
has fans, temp sensors and all the latest gizmos for horse comfort.
oh, and its defra approved!
speak to this guy. http://www.thoroughbredhorseboxes.co.uk/

so, anyone wana come for a look??! :D
 
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almorton said:
some of you people need to do some research before making such assumptions! for you are, im afraid, incorrect.

ive just had a 3.5 purpose built to sleep 2 and carry 2 x 17handers, comfortably and spaciously. before anyone starts about weights or safety, its got almost 1.4 payload, plenty of height and its aluminium build with a reinforced bulkhead front and back and seperate (tiny) living.
ill be towing a lockable trailer for away shows when i need to carry more gear to ensure im not overweight.

ive had my horses weighed so i know exactly what they weigh. my biggest for example is a 17h KWPN med weight, shes 620kg. my 2 others are 500 and 510.

It CAN be done! BUT you need some one used to doing such conversions and have to accept a pretty spray job may not be possible due to the fact that the sides are ali plate not the standard stuff, which lessens weight considerably!

it is stable, tough, reinforced and virtually no sway / roll.
has fans, temp sensors and all the latest gizmos for horse comfort.
oh, and its defra approved!
speak to this guy. http://www.thoroughbredhorseboxes.co.uk/

so, anyone wana come for a look??! :D
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Id like to see it sat on a weighbridge with fuel, spare wheel, partitions and all the tack and junk that accumulates inside most lorrys!!!
Oh and I can get a nice 7.5 tonner for less 12 k with shower, toilet, fridge microwave, tv and seating/sleeping for 4 adults .... these 3.5 ton boxes are OK for what they are but dont tell me they are good value or good for much more than one horse to 1 day shows , taking horse for lessons or to somewhere to hack out etc ....
 
i shall post the weightbridge ticket fully loaded with fuel, water, show tack/gear + 2 x competition horses 17 + 16 hands next week when i get back from weston lawns!

im not saying if i won the lottery i wouldnt trade it in for a 6 horse hgv with full bathroom, BUT it will do a hell of a job for me with the price of diesel and road tax at the mo! ive streamlined but not had to compromise that much. ive even got a small gas hob i can chuck in for a brew when away!

and my figures are correct, its been done as part of an equine transport business, so i know ALL the ins and outs, legalities etc, vosa and defra restrictions!

all im saying is, dont make assumptions, it CAN be done, BUT you do need to be careful and sensible! and like the 7.5 tonners and hgv's out there, there are good ones and bad ones. thats all.
 
I have an old VW LT35 which I adore but even with no living at all (can sleep 2 in the luton but nothing else) I couldn't legally carry 2 big horses. I have just over 1000kgs to play with and my horse weighs 420 so I could carry another little pony but another horse her size would be really pushing it. If you were mainly looking to carry one 17.2hh though then it would fit in but in this case you'd be sacrificing the living.

The licencing is ridiculous, I agree!
 
One of the horses has just shrunk by a hand:D. You have to remember that it will be permanently under full load and when a tyre for example ,blows . The high C of G ,may make it uncontrolable. I do not trust these. Much better to pass ones test and drive somthing with a bit of weight and survivability.
 
almorton said:
some of you people need to do some research before making such assumptions! for you are, im afraid, incorrect.

ive just had a 3.5 purpose built to sleep 2 and carry 2 x 17handers, comfortably and spaciously. before anyone starts about weights or safety, its got almost 1.4 payload, plenty of height and its aluminium build with a reinforced bulkhead front and back and seperate (tiny) living.
ill be towing a lockable trailer for away shows when i need to carry more gear to ensure im not overweight.

ive had my horses weighed so i know exactly what they weigh. my biggest for example is a 17h KWPN med weight, shes 620kg. my 2 others are 500 and 510.

It CAN be done! BUT you need some one used to doing such conversions and have to accept a pretty spray job may not be possible due to the fact that the sides are ali plate not the standard stuff, which lessens weight considerably!

it is stable, tough, reinforced and virtually no sway / roll.
has fans, temp sensors and all the latest gizmos for horse comfort.
oh, and its defra approved!
speak to this guy. http://www.thoroughbredhorseboxes.co.uk/

so, anyone wana come for a look??! :D
Click to expand...

So with your two lightest horses you are over the 1t mark. Add onto that fuel, parition, tack, water, you, the dog, all your fantastic gizmos, etc, and you will be overweight. I have a 3.5t and I love it, but I did a LOT of research into them and I know I can only realistically take one horse. I have 1.2t and that's a high payload. When I enquired to Boss horseboxes the payload they quoted me was about the same as what I've already got so pointless.
 
cptrayes said:
I am reasonably certain that your trailer is included in the 3.5 ton weight if you are towing it from the 3.5 tonner.
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nope. its additional, so i can tow an extra 3 ton. although im gonna stick with a braked 750, i think thats quite enough lol!

mad isnt it, i could legally tow another 2 horses in an ifor behind, so transport more legally than a 7.5tonner :D not that id fancy that!
 
cptrayes said:
I am reasonably certain that your trailer is included in the 3.5 ton weight if you are towing it from the 3.5 tonner.
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It would if you took your car test after 97 and havent done the towing test, otherwise it depends on the GTW of the van most 3.5 tonners are about 5.5 ton so with the right licence you could tow about 2 tons....
 
almorton said:
nope. its additional, so i can tow an extra 3 ton. although im gonna stick with a braked 750, i think thats quite enough lol!

mad isnt it, i could legally tow another 2 horses in an ifor behind, so transport more legally than a 7.5tonner :D not that id fancy that!
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I stand corrected but I don't think you are quite right. You're OK with your 750kg trailer, but that seems to be the limit?

"Drivers who passed their test on or after this date have category B entitlement only, which restricts the entitlement to motor vehicles with up to eight passenger seats and an MAM of up to 3500kg with trailers up to 750kg MAM (4250kg combined), or larger trailers provided the combination of the trailer and towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle."
 
mike very funny :) i see your point but at least i know i can carry 2 x 17hands and my roof isnt sloping ;-) ive had it built on a front wheel drive vehicle to lower the cog.
ive driven both 7.5 tonners and 3.5's when tyres have blown and can assure you as a small lady driver much prefer the latter! obviously, as long as they are not overweight and built properly.
my dad is an experienced engineer and has checked and double checked all figures before the build.
the partition weight is included in the unladen weight so doesnt affect the payload.
im not a hoarder luckily and can cope with minimal gear!

and for who ever said i am over weight, as i said before, you should not be making assumptions about things you know little about! im not, end of.

also, gizomos and technology dont necessarily load your wagon. mine hasnt got a rubber floor, the floor is made of a different composite or something (im not that technical sorry!) which is a lot lighter than rubber, and stronger!

all im saying is dont discount them if they are done properly.
 
Mike007 said:
One of the horses has just shrunk by a hand:D. You have to remember that it will be permanently under full load and when a tyre for example ,blows . The high C of G ,may make it uncontrolable. I do not trust these. Much better to pass ones test and drive somthing with a bit of weight and survivability.
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Yes I wonder If the horses discuss things like we do :D oh my human has bought us a oakey is so lovely like a limo its so roomy Hmm mine has bought one of those 3.5 toners they must think im a sammon not a horse!!! its horrid like one of those smart cars .........
 
i think you would be suprised at hoem much 2 x saddles, 2 x bridles, 2 x rugs, water, 2 x haynets, tank of fuel, 2 x people etc weighs!

having just bought a 3.5ton (will only ever have 1 horse in it i hasten to add), you need a LOT more than 1400 to carry 2 horses legally.

the alexanders with living only have 600kg payload=ridiculous, cant even put one horse in that!!!

BOSS claim to have 1400 payload but they are very very thin GRP and basically an egg box on wheels. no strength to them.
 
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