Horse box advice

[Patiencepending]

Hi all,

I’m going to see a box this week that I hope might be our first. It’s a 3.5t with a 1.8 payload because it has an aluminium shell. It has a wooden floor which I haven’t got any experience with. It’s a rear ramp only so they will have to back out, which I think they will be ok with as both are good backing up in hand.

I have checked past mots. Do you have any advice and things you would look for when viewing a box?

 

[Patiencepending]

It’s a Renault master.

 

[Lady Jane]

Far too high a payload for 3.5t, either they have mistated/lied/made a straight mistake on the ad, or its too flimsy. MOT maybe fine. Ask who built it and be very careful

 

[Lady Jane]

And search for the sller on one of the FB groups for Dodgy Horsebox builders, that can be very revealing. Is it a van conversion? They do have higher payloads but not 1.6. Ventilation is usually inadequate

 

[Lady Jane]

You can PM me the ad if you want a more fact based opinion

 

[Jambarissa]

Agree, it's been skimped on. It needs a steel bulkhead between you and the horses otherwise they'll be on top of you if you crash, that's the most commonly skipped piece.

Can you get someone to check it over for you?

 

[neddy man]

Walk away its a lie / con, take ljs and js advice send them the details. The only way you would get that payload is zero fuel in tank no passengers seats no partition no spare wheel,no rubber matting etc. before buying any horse box go with them to a weigh bridge and have it weighed, there are hundreds of weigh bridges all over the country ( plus many haulage companies that have them and scrap yards etc that would charge a small fee to weigh a lorry for you) and the small charge would be money well spent. Do not believe their certificates have them weight it while you are there, if they say no then RUN away. Remember the payload has to include diesel all the fittings driver passenger horse tack food tack rugs etc they soon add up, be very very carefull.

 

[Patiencepending]

Added a couple of photos. I’ll remove them after discussion as it’s obviously not my box. Ad says that it came up 1.4 on the weigh bridge and it’s because of the aluminium shell.

 

[Patiencepending]

And search for the sller on one of the FB groups for Dodgy Horsebox builders, that can be very revealing. Is it a van conversion? They do have higher payloads but not 1.6. Ventilation is usually inadequate

I thought there would be some windows but it does look like very limited ventilation.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If the 3.5 ton box owner says there is a 1.8 ton payload then ask to see the weighbridge certificate because the maximum payload normally in a 3.5 ton box would be 1200kg & many of them are 900 - 1000 kg. & sometimes less. Something appears to be very wrong with this horsebox. Sellers know what a buyer wants to hear so they word the advert accordingly but the payload is way out. I would expect that there are other things wrong as well. I wouldn't waste my time in viewing it. You may think that 'it may be ok so I'll go & take a look, I may be missing a bargain but you aren't, it's a scam.

 

[neddy man]

Needs totally lining inside one sharp kick and there's a hole in the shell, plus probably not take anything higher than 15hh max, and probably a steepish ramp, needs ventilation and light, the payload will soon disappear.

 

[Grassy]

Run away quickly

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

That looks like an old ifor livestock body fixed to the cab chassis, without any lining..... there will be very limited air circulation and it would require money being spent ....
As others say, run away.... please.

 

[Melody Grey]

I was briefly interested in something similar years ago which was also a container on a van, but a little newer. People on here pointed out that it wouldn’t be very stable because the centre of gravity is so high and having since watched them on the road, I have to agree. Ramps are also high and can be problematic, particularly at the front when turning the horse to come out the front ramp.

Re: payload, I think others have covered that one for you- 1800kg is higher than the payload in my 7.5t (transport lorry with no living).

 

[Melody Grey]

Just looked again and not sure there is a front ramp- wouldn’t fancy backing anything out from that height

 

[ycbm]

That isn't fit to carry anything but sheep, which is what the container was designed for.
.

 

[phizz4]

Run a mile. High level chassis, so a high centre of gravity. Wooden floor covered in places so you can’t tell the state of it. It will get mega hot in hot weather, freezing in cold, no insulation, and very noisy to travel in.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

That looks like an old ifor livestock body fixed to the cab chassis, without any lining..... there will be very limited air circulation and it would require money being spent ....
As others say, run away.... plea

That is what I was thinking. Doesn't look much headroom at all. I wouldn't put more than a small pony in it. definitely not a horse. Always think these look top heavy.

 

[AmyMay]

Run away quickly

Yep. Would never travel something in that. Poor ride and a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Patiencepending]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. We won’t be progressing with this one but I have got some great advice in DMs and from a local box inspector so very grateful for all the input. I’m going to delete the photos as it’s not our box (and isn’t going to be ) Thank you