Horse Lorry Van Conversions Opinions please

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Salcey

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Have recently taken the decision to sell the ifor trailer and 4 x 4 and invest in a small lorry. I have seen some of these van conversions such as the Renault Master and Sprinter vans and they seem really good.
We don't need living space, just enough room to carry 2 x 15:2 horses.
Can anyone throw any light as to what are the downsides are these type of conversions?
Really interested to hear from anyone that has one.
 
a 3.5 tonne lorry will not have the payload to carry 2 x 15.2 horses. the lightest possible only ahs 1.2 tonnes payload, whihc has to inlcude your fuel, water, tack, passenger, hay and the horses.
Smallest you could use would be a 6 tonne- there are some good 2 forward facing with a small day living on a compact body.
Tax, MOT, insurance etc same cost as a smaller one, but need a pre 1997 or C licence to drove them
 
Hi I have a 3.5 tonne Marlborough horsebox built on a Vauxhall Movano chassis which has 1.5k payload - its great and I am really pleased with it. Very easy for one person to handle. I had a 6 tonne but changed to a 3.5 tonne as I couldnt lift the ramp on my own.

Try :
http://www.marlboroughhorseboxes.co.uk for more info
 
cobden99 what horses do you carry in Malborough? They look so easy to handle I'm really tempted.
Due to budget I'm going to have to look for a secondhand one though.
 
the spec there shows that 1.6 is on an uprated chassis, to 3.9 tonnes, so you'd still ned the C licence if not pre 1997.

They do have secondhand ones, or you could get a 3.5 secondhand one uprated.
 
Hi I carry a 15.2 welsh D or two smaller ponies. Well worth a trip to the weighbridge before you buy anything tho (with the horses you intend to carry) to make sure you are legal. I took mine down and it was only £15 to get it weighed and get a printout. I have the SuperCob (which I think they are going to re-brand as a Colt). My friend has a Marlborough Sport for her Highland pony and she loves it.
 
It'll be the best thing you ever do. I've just ordered one from Evolution horseboxes - the guy at Evolution used to build the Marlborough boxes so they're very similar. In the meantime I've been hiring a Marlborough Hunter - fantastic little box. I'm more used to driving a 7.5t'er but the smaller boxes are a million times easier. They really are like driving a car - so less stressful than a bigger box or a trailer. I wish I'd made the swap ages ago! The ride is much better for the horses and its far less tiring for the driver. I wouldn't think twice about jumping in the 3.5ter for a fifteen minute journey for a lesson or a hack but I'd never bother getting the 7.5ter out for such a short journey.

As for payload you get about 1200kg - it depends on what your 15.2hhers are like but say they weight about 500kg each, that leaves you with 200kg for you, any passengers, fuel, tack and equipment. As long as you don't take too much stuff with you it should be okay. If you uprate the box to 3.9t then you have to get it plated which is so much more hassle and defeats the object of having the smaller box IMO. Just be careful what extras you carry.

You actually get more payload with the standard van conversions as opposed to the coachbuilt ones but there is slightly less space for the horses. Great option if you've got easy loaders/travellers.

If you're looking for a second hand Renault Master type then I'd highly recommend Travel Two, they specialise in second hand vans and Polly is very very helpful.
 
Yes thats one of my main reasons for changing - no hitching or faffing about.
My two weigh 530 and 495 and as we're not into travelling long distances we would only carry haynet and tack.

The documents for the one I'm looking at say 2799 cc and revenue weight 3500kg gross. So what would be the payload? (Sorry to sound thick!)
 
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The documents for the one I'm looking at say 2799 cc and revenue weight 3500kg gross. So what would be the payload? (Sorry to sound thick!)

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The payload is 3,5 tonnes minus whatever it weighs on a weighbride befoer you load anything on to it
So will depend on what material was added to make the floor, ramp, partitions etc.

As to horse weihgt, mine was 100 kilos more on a vet weighing stall than by weightape.
 
2799 cc is engine size. 3500kg is gross weight so maximum overall weight (3500kg = 3.5 tonne!). The seller would have to take it to a weighbridge to measure unladen weight (empty box) which would then tell you your payload (by minusing this from 3500kg) !

Theey are normally about 1.2 tonne payload. Tbh i wouldnt travel 2 15.2hh as i really think you will be pushed for weight. I have a 3.5 coachbuilt renault master (when its not at the mechanics... long story grrr) and i only travel my one 15.3/16hh lightweight mare as i expect it would go overweight. But i guess if its a risk your willing to take.

someone above mentioned polly at travel two, she is fab and is very helpful (I bought a new build in the end though) have a look at her site www.freewebs.com/traveltwo. There is also lots of info on there!

good luck! Oh and GET THE CHASSIS CHECKED BEFORE YOU BUY (even if from a reputable person)!!! i didnt and it was a very costly mistake.
 
Thanks for the info guys its really useful.
So basically when they advertise it can take 2 x 16hh they don't mean they can take 2 x 16hh <u>legally</u>
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Right will start having a look at something slightly bigger then
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Thanks for the info guys its really useful.
So basically when they advertise it can take 2 x 16hh they don't mean they can take 2 x 16hh <u>legally</u>
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Only if your 2 16 hh are thin, weedy thoroughbreds with no bone at all and you don't want to carry water, tack, feed or have any diesel in the tank...

Do get the payload checked, and do get in writing what it's going to be and then have it weighed when you get it - and be prepared to kick up a big, big fuss if it's not what you ordered - the time is then, not later

Racemaster (they don't have a website, but advertise on HorseQuest) do a cheaper version - it's not as smart as the marlborough, but is a few £,1000 less.

second hand ones are like hen's teeth and sell very fast - which is good if you get one and are thinking of selling it

good luck

E
 
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