Is there a national shortage of 2 horse lorries???

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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Is it just me? Am I looking in the wrong places? I finally won my OH round to me buying a little lorry - my little speech was a cross between the Ghettysburg Address and the script from Kramer v Kramer - hubby almost in tears as I talked about the passage of time, Sunny (and me) not getting any younger etc etc etc. Heartrending stuff! So I google horse lorries, looking for 2 horse, 3.5 ton, "lady driver" lorries (if you'd seen me reversing you'd know that I couldn't be trusted with anything bigger) and ... where are they?? Brand new, yes if you don't mind travelling. Big lorries, yes. Trailers, yes. But 2 horse lorries, good condition, reasonable price...nothing!!!!

Anyone know of a good website? H&H is the best I've found so far. Don't fancy e-bay. Can't risk OH's enthusiasm waning!!!
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My box is a 7.5 tonner stalled for 2. I wouldn't put more than one horse in those 3.5 jobs, you'll most likely be over weight. Also a live cargo with have a more significant effect when it moves in those vans, could make a scarey drive.
Once your used to it, a 7.5 Lorry is fun ot drive, otherwise VW do a nice 5.5 . renault / Dodge do a not so nice 5.5.
 
My friend had same problem. I think a lot of younger people (who took their test after the date on which you have to take a trailer test or an extra test to drive anything over 3.5 t) have bought 3.5 ton boxes because they can drive them on their basic licence without taking an additional test. My friend bought a van and had it converted and is very pleased with it. (she only puts one horse in though - agree with loading comment. I wouldn't want to drive it with two horses in it.
 
I have a 3.5T horsebox which should hopefully be going up for sale in a few months. I can carry my 15.3hh mare herringbone in it, and she travels well. There isn't much of a payload on it unfortunately - hence why I've just purchased a Renault Master van which is going off to be converted. Mine is a 1997 R reg Iveco Daily with a luton box on the back - I have had 2 horses in it a couple of times but it is awfully overweight and not fun to drive as it could be very unstable. I think to find a decent 3.5t which has been decently converted you probably need £10,000!!!! (That's why I've got my own van and having it converted by a friend who has built a horsebox previously!)

Good luck with your search xx
 
I found mine on Horsemart... You have to be patient and keep looking, and the second one is advertised that's a possibility you ring about it! However I can only take Genie (14.3hh Welsh D) and a tiny pony otherwise I'm overweight.
 
Ive got a 6.6 tonne 2 horse Mercedes 709 lorry and its a really easy to drive just like a large van - so don't necessarily restrict yourself to 3.5 tonne. You will adjust to the reversing especially if your baby is inside it
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Tax £165 (might have gone up)ins fully comp £330 with breakdown are and probably less than some cars. My service this year came to £350. MOT / Plating last year was around £600.

I went straight to dealer McNeills in near Alton Hampshire and they were really good came with 12 months parts warranty, gave me a couple of driving lessons, were honest about work that needed to be done before they would let me take it. My friend also bought one from them very similar to mine and its been great. Ive had mine 3 years this year. I bartered on price and got £2000 off asking price (although I expect they factor this in)
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Is there a reason you cannot have a 7.5T other than you're concerned size wise or would you have to take a test? They do not take a lot of time to get used to and at least you know you do have enough payload for two horses - with the 3.5T you don't.

There are some nice 5T plus lorries out there so are a little smaller but dunno if in your budget. Because of the demand for 3.5T due to the licensing rules people seem to be asking quite high prices. I would certainly not discount looking for something a little larger - you have the payload and also the power not to mention more room inside! With the 3.5T they are always going to be working at their full capacity power wise.

I actually think this is a smart little lorry (been for sale for a good long while too!) as more like a 3.5T

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/2_horse_v_reg_living_worcestershire/63420


This looks nice too but probably oldish

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/3_horse_living_norfolk/62953

Ooh, I could look at wagons all day.....!!!
 
You should PM Splotchy she has a 3.5t for sale. Are you actually going to put 2 horses in your 2 horse lorry? A 3.5t will be overweight with 2 in, unless you have small ponies.

Dodge 6.6t are actually very nice lorries, very reliable, but they do rust a bit.
 
I'm not in the market to buy one at the moment unforunately, however I do like browsing and I have noticed a lot less for sale recently (not including brand new ones) than earlier in the year and last year. No idea why, just an observation.
 
Thanks everyone. Have spoken to Splotchy already. I'm glad I know about the little lorries that say 2-horse that are really only 1 or 1.5 horses. The reason I was hoping for something not too big is I can't see myself ever doing more than an hour or so to shows. Would never stay overnight (I don't think) but I wanted to be able to take a 2nd horse occasionally. Thanks for links wigglypigs - have zapped off a question. I suppose I have to really think whether i would ever really need to take 2 neds. Hmmmmmmmmm. Thinking cap on. Thanks again all x
 
I have a 5.2t Iveco Daily, that was a council road gang truck, it had a tipper and small crew box on the back, I stripped that off and put the luton box off my 3.5t LDV 400 on to it, added 3` to the underside of the luton to make a small living, so now I have a lorry thats 3` longer than a normal 3.5t and can legally carry 2.2t on board. the lorry cost me £1400 on an S plate (99) another £600 to sort out the brakes, so it made it a cheap horsebox.
 
they are out there
often they do sell without being advertised but if you email loads of people they keep their eye open for one thats suitable.
get it checked by an engineer and weigh bridge cert so you know the payload
 
Personally, I think most 3.5t vehicles will be overweight with two horses in even though the horses could physically fit in. They are fantastastic for two ponies or maybe two 15hh TB types but if you have two IDs or WBs you would struggle.
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What's your budget and what weight/size of horses are you wanting to carry?
 
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