Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
I've emailed Kevin Parker and Travel Two. Let's see what they can do....
Help me choose a 3.5T box
- Thread starter Ample Prosecco
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oldie48
Well-Known Member
I think you could get a 3.5 which would be suitable provided you kept the living area fairly light and basic. I have a coach built John Oats and a friend has recently had an uprated lorry from them which is gorgeous. I wouldn't recommend them for their delivery times though but the build is good, prices are reasonable and I think they would be able to do something which comes in at 3.5. I am selling mine and with a bit of work you could make the grooms area suitable for an overnight stay. The horse area has an anti jump arrangement but it's not completely separate from the grooms area, so if you give hay on the journey it gets into the back. I think you'd probably want something better than mine but feel free to pm me.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
I reckon all the ones you've posted pictures on with wood effect would only have a payload of 800kg. As soon as you start adding too many cupboards etc you lose a lot of payload.
You could maybe get one with tack lockers to keep the space to a max in the living and then literally have two benches and a table in the back?
I wonder if there would be something clever you could do with the horse area to utilise that a bit more. Most/ all are stalled for two but can only legally carry one. I saw one with a full wall instead of a partition and then what would have been the other horse space was part of the living and used for bunk beds. It had a loo and oven etc so only had a payload of 800kg but maybe if you're having it built to spec there would be something you could do.
You could maybe get one with tack lockers to keep the space to a max in the living and then literally have two benches and a table in the back?
I wonder if there would be something clever you could do with the horse area to utilise that a bit more. Most/ all are stalled for two but can only legally carry one. I saw one with a full wall instead of a partition and then what would have been the other horse space was part of the living and used for bunk beds. It had a loo and oven etc so only had a payload of 800kg but maybe if you're having it built to spec there would be something you could do.
alsxx
Well-Known Member
I also had one built by travel two, had it a year exactly this week, and been very pleased with it. They will build to your specification which is great if you need something a little more unique.
GinaGeo
Well-Known Member
We looked at having one built by Travel Two but weren’t overwhelmed by the attention to detail in the final build on the example that we saw.
The people were however lovely and very helpful. And we saw one of the earlier models, which might be finished to a much better quality now.
We looked at quite a few and settled on an Alexander. We didn’t buy it new, so can’t comment on the service. But the build quality was much better than anything else we saw for the money. It’s simple and mindful of the payload. But the bits that need to be are solidly built. A lot we saw compromised the solidness in the horse area for extras in the living.
If I was going to upgrade to I’d look at a Kevin Parker or another Alexander’s.
The people were however lovely and very helpful. And we saw one of the earlier models, which might be finished to a much better quality now.
We looked at quite a few and settled on an Alexander. We didn’t buy it new, so can’t comment on the service. But the build quality was much better than anything else we saw for the money. It’s simple and mindful of the payload. But the bits that need to be are solidly built. A lot we saw compromised the solidness in the horse area for extras in the living.
If I was going to upgrade to I’d look at a Kevin Parker or another Alexander’s.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Please avoid anything by Alexanders. A former neighbour had a terrible time with a poorly built new build box from them. The horse, a good traveller, kicked through the supposedly reinforced bulkhead behind the driver on its first journey. There were lots of other major faults, too. They were appalling to deal with, and tried to evade their responsibilities to the end. It went down the legal route, but although they eventually bought it back she still ended up £££s out of pocket.
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
Sounds very similar to one of our RC members, v pretty box but had so many faults that they got Trading Stds involved, was late 2019 brand new box.
chaps89
Well-Known Member
I’m pretty sure there’s a H&H article on a lady who had a big accident and court case with an Alexander’s box?
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Oh heck, they're still at it then? My neighbour's saga was a few years earlier than that. Very pretty box but a deathtrap.
chaps89
Well-Known Member
Edit - found it - they settled out of court
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/new...ed-65k-horsebox-owner-campaigns-change-657733
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/new...ed-65k-horsebox-owner-campaigns-change-657733
GinaGeo
Well-Known Member
Interesting. I do now note that they have recently rebranded. Likely connected to the lawsuit.
Perhaps our solid little box is an exception as opposed to the rule. It’s very well built. And we haven’t had a single problem with the build in 6 years.
From memory ours was converted in around 2012. Maybe we got lucky. Or maybe they got greedy and started cutting corners. Either way a shame.
blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
I have a kevin parker 7.5 tonne i would highly recommend his build quality is great
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
My 3.5T lorry will be ready in 3 weeks! I can't find the thread now so updating here but I posted I had ordered it in July and it is ready on time and under budget. Build on a 2017 chassis, stalled for 2 but I'll use 1 for storage, luton above the cab that I can sleep in plus chairs that face each other and convert to bed. Just being sprayed now with my brand colours and logo and I'll have my mobile office ready for use. Super excited. It's been downrated from a 4.5 and I have still 1.1T payload which is fine with Lottie at 600kg. Pics to come soon I hope!
HelenBack
Well-Known Member
Who did you go with in the end as I may be looking to get something in the spring? Would love a Kevin Parker but won't be able to afford it unless I win the lottery so just window shopping more affordable options at the moment.
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
https://www.facebook.com/ChathamHorseboxes
Loveliest people. And great boxes. I could not be happier with what I am ending up with and how easy the process was. Alex Hua Tian has had a few off him so if it's good enough for him i figured they would do me..... And cheaper than any equivalent I can find to buy as it comes.
Loveliest people. And great boxes. I could not be happier with what I am ending up with and how easy the process was. Alex Hua Tian has had a few off him so if it's good enough for him i figured they would do me..... And cheaper than any equivalent I can find to buy as it comes.
jnb
Well-Known Member
Aha my claim to fame is that he converted his first ever 3.5 renault Master for me - (Paul) had never done one prior to me asking him to do a van conversion!
7.5 ton only up to the point i took my Master to him to have the ramp and bulkheads fitting. Then seeing his workshop I asked him to do windows and roof vents.
He told me he could have sold it 20 x over while it was there (2 months - remind me never to say I am not in a hurry for anything!)
So worth it though, had my box nearly 10 years and sold it for more than it cost me to buy, have converted and resprayed.
I only found out about 18 months ago that he is Chatham Horseboxes - best known for 3.5 ton lorries nowadays.
HelenBack
Well-Known Member
Thanks, they look like lovely boxes and close to where I grew up and my parents still live so that's helpful too. If it's not terribly cheeky would you mind PMing me what you're paying for it so I can get an idea whether they'd be in budget or not. Prices seem to have gone up a lot lately and I'm sort of hoping they might come down over winter but at the same time not very hopeful at all!
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Pmed you x
Noble
Well-Known Member
Nearly bought a Chathams, fabulous strong box and a superb build. Gutted I didn't as it was an amazing price (second hand) and although I couldn't afford to keep it on the road (after a lot of soul searching) in hindsight I could have sold it the next day for 5K more. No use really sorry, but it was lovely and the company were fabulous to deal with for queries with even though they weren't selling it.
Xmasha
Well-Known Member
they built our 3.5t. Really happy with it. They are horsey people so they always ensure the box is safe.