Horseboxes around wilts area

[Lancelot]

Hi,
I'm tentatively looking around for my first horsebox. Need to drive on a car licence and carry 2x16hh horses.
I'm in Wiltshire, does anyone have recommendations for places to look for something suitable?
TIA

 

[TommisMum]

All depends on budget and type of licence.
You may be restricted to a 3.5 tonne box
Are you looking for used or new then manufacture spec or custom built?

George Smith horseboxes is an independent custom builder in Shrewton, Salisbuy.

 

[zaminda]

You will be highly unlikely to get one under 3.5t (ie that you can drive on a post 1997 license) that will carry 2 horses. If you buy one from George Smith, make sure its weighed empty before you do.

 

[Lancelot]

My license is 1993 although I don't think I'd want to drive anything bigger than 3.5t anyway...

Budget is limited so I'd be looking for used and would rather not have the type that look like transit vans.

 

[Baileybones]

You will find that 3.5t are far more expensive than larger capacity vehiclesjust due to the licence restrictions. Have a look at some of the 5.5t or 6t vehicles and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Also you won't be able to carry 2 horses on a 3.5t - best available payload I've ever seen is 1100kgs and that was with box with a full tank of fuel. Once you've added a driver, passenger, tack x 2, buckets, rugs, horses etc you're well over weight.
Vosa stopped every box at a show a while back and the results were terrifying - something like over 50% were overweight.

If you do view 3.5t make sure that the seller shows you a legitimate weigh bridge ticket showing unladen weight.
Good luck though - the right box and the freedom will make the stress of finding one worthwhile

 

[OWLIE185]

A 3.5 ton will NOT have sufficient payload for 2 16.2 horses. If you want to carry 2 16.2 horses then it will have to be a 7.5 ton. You can purchase compact 7.5 ton horse boxes which have a wheelbase of 12 feet and they drive like a mini but are far more solid and stable that a 3.5 ton.