How many of you have these van type horseboxes or have driven one??

Personally I hate them. They are very unstable, blow around like no ones business at the slightest breath of wind, going round corners at more than 10mph is just scary! They don't have much room and you would be surprised at what weight they really are so you have to be careful what you put in them.

We have a Renault Sonic at work and I hate putting anything over 15hh in it - they just don't fit. When it went trucking over to Sweden it had 1 horse that weighed approx 500kg and that only left a futher 550kg for feed, hay, tack, some water for the journey, 2 humans and all their kit for a week away. They only just managed to get it under the weight restrictions.

Given a choice I would never buy one, I simply don't like them nor trust them.
 
I have hired one when necessary (a Theault) and own an oldfashioned Transit-based one with a wooden GC Smith body.

The Theault is very easy to drive, even on long (+4 hours each way) journeys and well thought out so as to be one of the safer options on the market, however the price tag is staggering. I found that whilst all mine loaded easily on to it none of them enjoyed being rear facing, even my ponies who travel frequently and will load on anything didn't seem to like being backwards. I'm aware that this is considered unusual but my sample of 7 horses ALL travelled worse than in anything else I've tried.

The Tranny is easy to drive in an old-fashioned way. I found that horses up to 15.2 travelled well in it forward facing, reverse out as no side ramp. Very cheap to buy and run though. Long journeys a nightmare to due to low speed and high noise.
 
There is one on our yard and they seem to get on fine with it and reportedly a really nice drive. However, looks great travelling one 14-15 hander, but I would be uneasy putting anything much bigger, or two (unless minis) - but I guess weight restriction may prevent this anyway?
 
I have an Equitrek Sonic and love it. I only take 1 horse so its not a problem weight wise.

I find I am very confident in my little van I will take it anywhere. I find mine very good to handle, very sturdy and not at all unsteady.

We also have just purchased trailer so if we need to take 2 or have more weight as in luggage OH will tow me. I hate towing.
 
i have 1 and i wouldnt be without it and for it only carriying small horses thats not true we carry our 17hh in there its not the height its the weight that you have to be aware of it has loads of storage and its done me prode very reliable and trustwerthy never let me down
 
I should add I hired one to pick up the big mare for a four hour journey. She's 16.3 at the front (and bum high) and is in a 6'9 rug and she wasn't squashed in at all.
 
Personally I hate them, with the ramp being on the side and being so easy to blow over I'd dread to think what could happen when a horse is in transit and it goes over on the ramp side :(
Wouldn't ever buy one unless it with has a ramp both sides or just one on the back
 
some very good responses there, thanks guys! i guess i would try before i buy if it came to it! Iv got a while to wait anyhow and some money to save up. I dont go anywhere that requires sleeping area and id be happy in a tent tbh! my mare only just scrapes 15.1 and my gelding is 15.3 so they both arnt huge. Thank you guys!
 
I love mine, my 16.2 fits in there with plenty of room to spare and it's so easy to drive, I'm happy to take it anywhere :) I know I'll never get two (of my) horses on there at the same time, but I've only ever wanted to take one out at a time so far.

I've never felt like it's in any danger of blowing over - in fact it's incredibly stable due to the low centre of gravity. It's light and inviting for the horses, and the ramp is easy for me to handle and great for the horses. I'm very happy with it.
 
China - be careful with your weight as mine is up to the 1200kg payload with just 2 x 14.2hh cobs plus tack, water, passengers etc in......

However the 'blowing over' thing in my mind is ridiculous - I would have thought a trailer would be more likely too blow over than a van!! Before my Renault van I had a ford transit with a container that was far less stable.

Any mode of transporting horses has its risks, I think it is only safe as it is driven, and the temperament of the horses inside.......

My tax was £210 and I pay £230 insurance per yr through SEIB and that includes road side assistance. All servicing and maintenance is dealt with by my local garage and it has a class 7 mot which costs around £70.

Hope that helps!
 
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Sidney said:
However the 'blowing over' thing in my mind is ridiculous - I would have thought a trailer would be more likely too blow over than a van!! Before my Renault van I had a ford transit with container that was far less stable.

Any mode of transporting horses has its risks, I think it is only safe as it is driven, and the temperament of the horses inside.......
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this - I have a 16hh and a 16.1hh who I travel in mine (not at the same time before the "You'll be overweight" brigade start).

My mare would not load into anything when I got her. Now she absolutely loves this one and runs up the ramp - we don't hear a squeak from her when she's travelling, she just stands and eats her net. The gelding travels in anything and always has.
As for blowing over, I've driven mine through gales on the M6 over Shap - yes it pulls when the gusts hit it, just as any car or lorry will, but I've never felt that it's going to tip over - more chance of a trailer going over.
As far as the horses are concerned, I love it, but the engines take some maintenance!!
 
Have had mine a while now and love it, cheaper to run, insure and tax than my old 7.5t.
As for unstable i do find if van completely empty it can get blown about a bit on open roads but as soon as horse is in it is far more stable than a trailer.
I personally wouldn't travel more than one horse in mine but i only have one horse so not a problem :D
Horse in picture is a chunky 16.1.
jackinthebox002.jpg
 
I have one too, it's very easy to drive, very stable and fairly economical on diesel to run. Tax about £210 a year and insurance and breakdown £250 ish.

I travel a 16.2 ISH in mine and he fits well.

I have never felt as though it will tip over and have driven in some quite windy conditions. The horse stands between the axles which keeps the centre of gravity lower.
 
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