HELP Does anyone have a Renault Master MK1 3.5t

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madmax1

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Can anyone offer advice please;

Renault Master MK1 vs MK2

I have seen a MK1 which I am thinking of buying, very good condition (almost mint), well maintained, perfect spec, does anyone own one? do you like it? The only thing I would add is anti weave grill so my horse cannot try to get over breast bar and get stuck, (dont think she would try but you never know)

I have also seen a MK2, but that needs LOTS of work, (cheaply converted) strengthening the bulkhead, cam belt, weave grills, line inside, fit tack area, hay haynet rings, pad inside, things like that.

Which should I go for - the almost perfect older model which was converted by a really good company or the newer model with the poor conversion and correct the bad things?

I will be travelling a 15.2hh and a shetland.

Many thanks for any advice.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
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Does anyone have a Renault Master at all? Regardless of which model it is?

Have you had any problems?

Thinking about making an offer on one this week.

Thanks

:D:D:D:D:D
 
You need to check the weight of them on a weighbridge as you don't want to go over the 3.5 ton limit when you are loaded up. Renault Masters are a pretty good Chassis Cab but do have probelms with starter motors/gearboxes and engines (especially if in a previous life they where used for deliveries) so get a horsebox mechanic to check it out for you..
 
Hi, we have a converted Renault Master, used to be a double glazing van! Not sure what model it is but it's pretty old...! No power steering, so it can be a bit heavy to drive, but the horses love it. It's very fuel efficient, and we take 2 16h horses in the back without problems.

Space can be an issue, but we fitted saddle racks to the back doors, bridle racks and manger racks, and have used it to overnight at 2DEs so not too much of a problem if you're good at packing :cool:

The only thing with getting a converted RM is to make sure the floor is strong enough, as we had to have ours reinforced. The previous people travelled a 17.3 in it and after a couple of years with us rust was starting to be a problem, but now the floor's been properly replaced it's good as new!
 
OWLIE185 said:
You need to check the weight of them on a weighbridge as you don't want to go over the 3.5 ton limit when you are loaded up. Renault Masters are a pretty good Chassis Cab but do have probelms with starter motors/gearboxes and engines (especially if in a previous life they where used for deliveries) so get a horsebox mechanic to check it out for you..
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Second this, ours takes a little while to start sometimes - occasionally you turn the ignition key and nothing happens - but you just have to give it a bit of revs and it wakes up!!
 
I've got a mark 1. Very good for travelling your size of horse. Becomes unstable with large horse but I sorted this out by getting another partition built so he travels in the middle. When the Mark 2's go wrong its a kings ransom (and they do apparently) mark 1's its just a hammer and off they go! Good luck.
 
Thanks for all your replies.

The payload says 1100kg, which sounds about right with all the others I have seen (ofcourse I would check it at a weighbridge). I think this is enough for 1 horse maybe shetty, me plus tack for horse and hay, water things like that.

Please keep info coming, the more good and bad points made means I make an informed decision, I know the price is at the lower end for a little lorry considering really really really nice ones are around 10k-15k but I what something safe and reliable on a budget of around 5k.

Thank you
 
scarymare said:
I've got a mark 1. Very good for travelling your size of horse. Becomes unstable with large horse but I sorted this out by getting another partition built so he travels in the middle. When the Mark 2's go wrong its a kings ransom (and they do apparently) mark 1's its just a hammer and off they go! Good luck.
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I have seen your lorry - I love it :o:o:o:o would be perfect for me just a little tiny bit over my budget.

Very Very nice though

xXx
 
Yes she's a beaut and called Mavis. I'm only getting rid as have had to join the club and get a 4 x 4 as have a really bad in the snow commute. Shame you aren't closer.. TBH when I think of paying 4.5K for a new Bateson then I do wonder why I'm bothering. OH is self professed member of the Mavis fan club and thinks I'm bonkers - so does the mechanic in the garage who is also a fan. The only negatives are the stability (I think newer have lower C's of G) and obviously the chance of them getting over the breast bar which means I don't travel my youngsters. TBH though as hubby non-horsey its highly unlikely I'd travel the babies on my own before they were broken anyway.
 
JennBags said:
If you'd like a second-hand Ifor Williams HB510 instead, do feel free to PM me!
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Oh I did consider this and the 510 is the only one I would have as then I could travel my biggy - but I am a whimp - worried out reversing a trailer.

Scarymare----Shame I am not closer yes or I would have viewed it just to tempt myself to get a bigger loan. Hehehe
 
JennBags said:
If you'd like a second-hand Ifor Williams HB510 instead, do feel free to PM me!
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Oooh I had one - way too heavy and ended up breaking not one but two head gaskets on towing vehicle!

Mind you my horse was very fat at the time and I'm not exactly twiggy so maybe unfair to blame the ifor!
 
scarymare said:
Oooh I had one - way too heavy and ended up breaking not one but two head gaskets on towing vehicle!

Mind you my horse was very fat at the time and I'm not exactly twiggy so maybe unfair to blame the ifor!
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LOL - but also EEEEK! What were you towing with - a Mini? :p

I've never had a problem, even loaded up with 2 big horses; I use a Terrano LWB, and I know several people who tow a 510 with SWB Shoguns.
 
JennBags said:
LOL - but also EEEEK! What were you towing with - a Mini? :p

I've never had a problem, even loaded up with 2 big horses; I use a Terrano LWB, and I know several people who tow a 510 with SWB Shoguns.
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LOL - no not a mini both were LWB great big Shogun Diesels BUT both second hand with unknown histories. My new car is 07 Sorento with no tow bar (yet) so the 510 and my 16.3 plus occasional 15 hand cob would be a stretch I think.
 
I am pretty sure ours is an MK1, she is a J reg but is a great little lorry! We have had her a year and a half and we did need a new clutch and had a bit of trouble with her 'cutting out' but this was just due to her old wires having the orignal connectors and these have been replaced, she also almost sailed through her MOT the only problem were a couple of lights were out but they just cleaned the wires and all was fine! I do need to man up and drive her but hubby has just put me off (he is a horrid backseat driver). The plan is to sell her in a few months and get a newer model so I can go out and have fun on my own. My horse travels better in this then he has anything else. We have removed the partition to save on some weight and he finds his own position and is much happier. I will probably fit a grill to it before selling or when I plan on taking my youngster out. But its a fab lorry I havea cuboard so can put things in there to avoid the hay! I would have another! I would go for the better made one if I were you though. Have fun, happy shopping!
 
We've got a Renault Master (Marlborough Hunter Mk II) which is up for sale. It's been brilliant and our horses absolutely love it. We're unfortunately having to sell it, for two reasons (1) we're not doing any more shows now so it's only used for the mares to go to stud once a year (8 miles away), and (2) in case of emergency to get to the vets, so it's up for sale and we'll just get a trailer for emergency use if and when needed. It's been very well looked after and have had 2 dealers out who say its well worth the money and then offered us £3,000 less than we've got it advertised for and who said they could sell it for the same price we're asking for it, but apart from that, we've only had people out who I think fancied a drive out! If and when we get ourselves sorted out horse wise and financially, it will definitely be a box we would buy again.

Our garage who looks after it reckons we are mad selling it, but needs must. Never had a problem with it mechanically, just the normal - new battery after 5 years, and just had brakes done before putting up for sale. Apart from that, it's brilliant and has started first time. Drives like a car which you do have to be careful about when on the major roads - speeding tickets! With the benefit of a low ramp, it's brilliant for the babies. Would thoroughly recommend the model we've got. They also seem to hold their price - and ours is mid-way between the £10k and £15k figure as well.
 
Ive got a mark I Master. Its a good little box, starts first time tho sometimes takes a little while to start. Never had a problem with it but it does need some welding doing on it this year which I plan to do (not currently using it).
 
Thanks everyone for your comments.

Kept any info, good or bad coming regarding any Renault Masters.

I have around £5,000 to spend, if anyone is selling.

thanks
 
I've got a renault master (well a Vauxhall Movano - same thing, different badge!). Good and bad points.
You can really only travel one horse at a time - not a problem for me as I only take one at a time to comps, but it may become an issue in the future as OH is starting to ride my old boy and if we want to take them to the beach, or away hacking, then we won't be able to.
I bought mine as a new conversion in September 2009.
Battery died after 3 weeks - not a huge thing, however when I got the jump leads on it to get it started to get to the garage, the clutch and slave cylinder went. Battery, clutch and clutch cylinder - somewhere about £550 if I remember right
A few weeks later, it started making a horrendous noise on the motorway. I pulled over to find that it had spewed some sort of liquid right underneath and up the back doors. The gearbox had failed - fortunately it was only the barings which needed replacing, so when it went to the garage to have this done, along with the service and MOT, they told me the alternator was on it's way out (I'd always wondered about the buzzing noise!). And as I had no proof that the Cambelt had ever been done, I got that done at the same time - total of this visit to the garage £1200. This was all done by June 2010, so in less than a year, I had spent £1700 in repairs. I also had to get the bulkhead strengthened with steel bars - steel fabricators did a brilliant job and also did some work to the little luton so stuff didn't keep falling off - cost £120. I also then had to have an internal light fitted - again the garage which did this did a great job, as I can turn it on and off from the cab.
So although I have spent quite lot of money on it, the garage have assured me it is now absolutely fine. But when so many things have happened, I spend the whole time listening for noises from the engine!!
On the plus side, it's easy to drive, the horse's (yes, one at a time before the "travelling overweight" brigade start!) travel well in it, it starts first time now, even after sitting for weeks without having been used, and is good on economy - even with a horse in it actually doesn't use any more than my honda civic car!
Would I buy another? Probably not.
 
I had a K reg which I sold for a bargain price a few months ago.

I loved it and never had any problems until I lent it to a friend and the rear axle broke. It always started, although sometimes did need a little help, I never had one that travelled badly in it. I would have another but im going for a 7.5t instead.
 
Holly hocks-thank you for being so honest, I have heard of the problems you mention so it must be a well know problem.

I guess if the history was proven I might be able to avoid some problems. Such a headache trying to buy a lorry on my budget.

Any other comments people? Good or bad.

Thanks
 
madmax1 said:
Holly hocks-thank you for being so honest, I have heard of the problems you mention so it must be a well know problem.

I guess if the history was proven I might be able to avoid some problems. Such a headache trying to buy a lorry on my budget.

Any other comments people? Good or bad.

Thanks
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We should put our £5k's together and get a good one lol.
 
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