Hrse Box - can they be totally bespoke? Also in CR

MrsMozart

MrsMozart

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Okay, so sat contemplating a new lorry. Had a 7.5 ton (which I loved!). Stalled for four, but only had 1.8 ton to play with, so no way would have taken four (unless very skinny rescue cases).

Quite like the rear facing two horse boxes, but only three seats and there's four of us.

Needs to take up to two 17hh-ish neds.

Would like the neds to travel herringbone style.

Can't find one, so the question is - can I have one made to meet these requirements, without breaking the bank!
 
Of course you can have one made!!
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It will fufill all your requirements except the one about not breaking the bank......
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Yep - my lorry man does bespoke lorries, fantastic workmanship, but doesnt break the bank
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In Gloucestershire if you want a name and number
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I had mine made too, depends on what you want to spend and what you want in it. I had a basic day living to keep costs down but didnt compromise on the horse area. It did cost a fair bit though but saying that no more than those I had looked at and at least its how I wanted it and I knew it was safe. Ive hardly used mine, I only have one horse so wish I would have got a 3.5t. Im hoping to try one very soon to see if the bratty horse will go in one!
 
Mrs M, I'm not too sure what size lorry you are looking for? Some 3.5Ts will take two horses but none of them would legally carry two 17hh and four people.
Have you thought about a 6.5T lorry? You would get the payload you need and the small live-in would give you room for more than 3 people.
Is there a reason you would prefer herringbone?
 
Mrs M,

I am just going through the same process and have been to see 4 horse box peeps over the last two weekends. I love the side loading, rear facing for two BUT what i have recently discovered is... the side ramps can be rather heavy, upto 650kgs due to being reinforced etc - this then means that the box "drives you into the kerb" this additional weight can then reduce your payload down to approx 1800 kgs - great you can fit two rather big nedsters on for that BUT... you, your 3 passengers, your tack, your beer (or gin) the hay, the fuel it all starts to add up. The other issue with rear facing is the "bum" of the horses - this area needs to be reinforced as you dont want 2 tonne of bum coming through the living into you. My 3rd point is that the rear facing for two can be viewed as a waste of space should you come to sell on.

Good luck - i am waiting for my prices to come in and i think you may see some begging letters in the post lol
 
Thank GW
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Bessie Box was too big, but without enough payload for her size (7.5 ton with 1.8 ton payload, and a big living area).

Am planning something in head now: will start drawing designs and see what the builders think
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. Note your point about the side door - that's very useful info as will affect my proposed layout.... Also the bit about a tonne up of bum coming at ya! That would be bad
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I know
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What am I like, finally got a wagon that the brat will travel in great and I wanna smaller one! Its a shame really as I knew before we spent all this money that I didnt warrant a wagon for the travelling we do. Hubby says get a trailer, sell the horse and get one that will travel in a trailer Eeek
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Definately Eek L!

I liked my 'big box', but it was the character really
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. If I had the time I'd take the HGV just so's I could have the options
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. But, hubby keeps pointing out that we should only have two neds (not the three we have) so only need something for two... I prefer driving a lorry to towing a trailer
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.

I think that if you only use it a few times a year, if it does what you want it to then it's not a waste of money
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. Ours got used quite a bit due to taking friends out and about in her: I liked to run her once a week at least
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I think its a lot because tax, insurance and now the plate is due and I drive into the yard and see it just stood there. I also get so nervous before driving it but am fine once we get going. Ive decided Im just never bloody happy
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Is a scary time - tax, insurance, plating eek!

I found that the more often I drove mine, the better, more comfortable and more relaxed I was
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. Maybe, once all the bits are done, just telll yourself you're taking it out once a week even if it's just for a run round the block
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Most reputable horsebox / coachbuilders will be able to bespoke build a lorry for you, our horseboxes are all bespoke to customer requirements.

To keep the weight down always opt for a full coachbuild rather than a conversion - it may be more expensive in the beginning to have a coachbuild but 1) you will realise more money for the lorry on resale - 2) the payload will always be better on a coachbuild as the latest lightweight products can be used for the build.

Draw up a realistic "wish list" and get 5 or 6 companies to quote for you.

To also improve your payload choose a lighter chassis ie Iveco or DAF - the M.A.N is a great truck but the chassis weigh at least 300kilos heavier that others.

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They can be made to a customer's specification, but a word of warning. Some years ago, I purchased a nearly new horse-box from a local firm, sadly no longer in business. It had been designed to carry show ponies with all the gear necessary, plus somewhat lavish living accomodation. It looked super, and was reasonable, but oh, dear, on the road it was quite unstable. It went back several times to the munufacturer, the only way this could be correccted was to bolt on some sheets of boiler plate to the chassis, to increase the wieght forward. After that, the road handling improved, but the sequel was that it went into a garage for service, and they removed the weights, not knowing the reason. The result was a severe crash, daughter through the windscreen, and the box a write off. Sometimes a tried and tested design is best!
 
PC - So if I draw up the sort of thing I want (will be basic) the companies will work it into something that works?

B - so sorry to hear about your daughter! I've heard of weight issues, but not handling issues such as you describe. It will take a lot of thought me thinks! Hope your daughter is okay now and has suffered no long term effects.
 
If you go to a VBRA approved coachbuilder then the problems highlighted above can be avoided.

VBRA inspect their members regularly throughout the year and the vehicles have to be built and the after sales service etc have to comply with their codes of practice.

This protects the manufacturer and most importantly YOU the customer.
 
yes that the idea hun, if you go with your wish list and your budgeted allowance - in most cases a lorry can be built to your requirements and budget.
 
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