Importance of checking payload

[chaps89]

When I bought my box - off a friend - I had a piece of paper in amongst the paperwork for it, saying the payload was 1358kg. A different friend of ours had the original conversion done and said it was built to be as ligtweight as possible, which makes sense given how basic it is.
I was sceptical as it's a printed out word doc, not a proper weigh slip.
I've just put a new rubber floor in and ramp carpet, figured I'd lose a few kg's, and that given I was sceptical about its payload I'd take it to be weighed.
Actual payload is 1080kg.
How it is so little/'gained' so much weight I don't know as it is the most basic conversion ever.
I am SO bl00dy glad I only ever travel mine anyway and that I got it checked!
Bit of a pointless post really but thought it might be worth sharing that these things are worth checking.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Absolutely worth checking, even if they come with a certificate!
I've known people loose a lot of weight by removing spare wheel, internal partition, having absolutely nothing in the box, anything in it that's bolted on removed too and running on fumes....

Chaps, yours weighs +20kg than mine - with mine having half tank fuel and me, and all usual crap in mine when I ran it through a few yrs ago.

 

[MissTyc]

Unless verrrry expensive there are not many out there that have more than 1000-1100 payload. If you know your vehicle you can take your risks, I suppose. Clearly 90% of the 3.5t boxes out there arrive at venues very overloaded but if stopped by vosa it's a hefty fine. I know many sellers weight them with everything taken out - partition, spare wheel, every last strand of hay ...

 

[JulesRules]

When I bought mine, I couldn't believe how many sellers had no idea of the payload of the box they were selling ...and how many 3.5 boxes are advertised as being able to carry 2 bug horses.

 

[sport horse]

I doubt there is a 3.5 to lorry in existance that can legally carry more than one horse or two ponies. I find it amazing how many people you can tell this but they carry on regardless.

 

[chaps89]

The lady I bought it from travelled 2 x 16hh in it

I left the partition, service book and spare wheel/wheel changing kit in and it had half a tank of fuel in, it was otherwise totally empty. Obviously had saddle rack/bridle rack on board but I'd even taken out the tie chain!

I am confused as when I was looking for a lorry, I saw ones with far more substantial interiors than mine with payload certificates the same/more!
But I agree, there was a frightening amount being sold where the owner didn't know payload.

I have no need to travel 2 as a general rule, I'm anti-social so wouldn't take anyone else with me!
I have enough payload to travel both of mine (300kg and 450kg) if I really had to and went light on 'stuff' but I'm very glad I checked.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Unless verrrry expensive there are not many out there that have more than 1000-1100 payload. If you know your vehicle you can take your risks, I suppose. Clearly 90% of the 3.5t boxes out there arrive at venues very overloaded but if stopped by vosa it's a hefty fine. I know many sellers weight them with everything taken out - partition, spare wheel, every last strand of hay ...

Not always the case, my Bloomfields has a payload of just under a ton and Oakleys 3.5ton lorry around the same. It tends to be the cheaper less safe ones that take as much out as possible to appeal to people who want to be able to carry 2 horses

 

[Tiddlypom]

There’s an equine transport company I’ve seen that states that their 3.5ts can take 2 x 18hh and have a certified 1.4t payload. I’ve sometimes wondered if that can be both legit and strongly built, and if how how?

They regularly transport two horses all over the country.

 

[ester]

Equitreks? If so your answer is right there

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

When I bought mine, I couldn't believe how many sellers had no idea of the payload of the box they were selling ...and how many 3.5 boxes are advertised as being able to carry 2 bug horses.

I was looking awhile ago and some do absolutely know but plead ignorance in the hope that they’ll get someone stupid enough to buy it like they were.

 

[luckyoldme]

I would be looking for a weighbridge and checking the actual weights out for myself.
Its the drivers responsibility to know all weights and ensure they are within the legal limits.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

There’s an equine transport company I’ve seen that states that their 3.5ts can take 2 x 18hh and have a certified 1.4t payload. I’ve sometimes wondered if that can be both legit and strongly built, and if how how?

They regularly transport two horses all over the country.

It cant be. I can FIT 2 big horses in mine but I wouldn't TRAVEL 2 big ones!
I would suggest that the company are touting for business in a very unscrupulous manner, who is likely to lose a licence if the box got weighed with 2 x 700kg horses on, plus riders and kit?
Who will be collecting the 2nd horse from the weigh bridge, who will be paying the fines?

My neighbour next door has a new build on a 4 yr old cab chassis unit, it's got a fibreglass roof and v pretty.
Payload was advertised as 1400 but actually is 1250 as her husband ensured he took it before handing final payment over, she usually takes just the lw 460kg 15hh but occasionally pops in her 14.2 traditional (500kg approx) in for short trips too, she reckons she's right on the limit with both in plus tack, her and lw daughter.

 

[Orangehorse]

I was at the Royal Welsh one year and there were Trading Standards people going round the horse box park to check weights and if they were illegal they wouldn't let the people leave the showground overloaded.