lorry- folowing on from yesterdays post

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vodkas_mum

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thanks for al the replies, its abit disheartening as i just want to be mobile, but being safe is the most important so thanks for the warnings!
so was looking at this box http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...A:IT&ih=013

however after speaking to my dad about what was said, the budget can now rise to a MAXIMUM of 5000

so any suggestions? definately want a box under 3,5 ton for my 16hh mare, other than that im open to suggestions

wanted a transit as i like them and parts are easy to get and my dad would beable to do any work himself, do you think i will get a good one for 5000? im thinking i now want one with an ifor williams back

is there ayting i could do to this box to make it more suitable with my new budget, or are there any that would be more suitable?

keep the opinions coming!!
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is there ayting i could do to this box to make it more suitable with my new budget, or are there any that would be more suitable?

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Burn it?
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I wouldn't put horses in that without rebuilding it from the looks of it...sorry! With your budget you should be able to get a nice 3.5t wagon in reasonable condition - don't rush into it or you'll still have no transport and a big repair bill too...
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yes you should be able to get a nice ifor for that, have a look on horsemart, horsequest and horse deals as theres a couple on there at the mo that look quite nice, it's such a mine feild, good luck with your search
 
there was a lovely 1999 transit with ifor on the back in horsedelas not far from me, south yorks, and i rang it this morning and wanted to go see it but it has gone
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Haha
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Just a tip - I would get your Dad to find someone who specialises in horseboxes to have a quick look over any potential purchase as well, as horseboxes are very different to cars/vans etc. Plus, if you found someone who repairs them they may know of someone who is selling something that might be suitable. If I was selling my lorry, my service engineer would be the first place I would go to 'advertise'. You could try giving this guy a call - I know he is a little way away from you, but he is very good, won't rip you off and would give you an honest opinion on a potetial purchase. He might know someone selling, too
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http://www.horseboxrepairs.co.uk/
 
I definitely don't think you would be wise to consider a box like that for your 16.1hh. If you had a 13hh pony perhaps you might get away with it (if you wanted to risk it). I knew someone years ago that had one of these and she couldn't fit her 15.1 TB in it comfortably, two journeys later and the poor mare didn't want to load again.
If you wanted to go that way then an Ifor back would be a better solution. Or would your dad not consider getting a trailer and putting the extra money towards buying a 4x4?
 
You have to be a bit careful with the Ford Transit/Ifor Williams conversions. The Ifor Williams trailer have the ramp at a much gentler angle to the ground so when it is mounted onto a lorry it ends up being quite steep. This means the horse struggles to load (especially if it has to back down the ramp instead of unloading from the front) and also puts a lot of strain on the ramp hinges which need to be replaced alarmingly often! You can have some pretty horrific accidents with a too steep ramp... Also the conversions tend to be quite stingy with head room so the horse may be reluctant to load after a couple of bangs to the head and your mare is at the upper limit of the recommended height (I have a 16hh TB who will not go in an IFor 505, insists upon a 510).

The other thing to bear in mind is that these conversions are a nice sideline for someone with welding skills to make some pocket money. Ford Transits get HAMMERED - they are usually company owned and driven very hard until they are duff then they get sold on for a few hundred quid to someone who converts them to horseboxes and sells them for £4000! This means that the engine is usually knackered and even if the van is apparently quite young with a good looking low mileage (amazingly easy to fiddle on a Transit so beware) it is pretty clapped out and will need lots of expensive TLC.

If I were in your situation, I would probably spend the money doing my HGV test (about £1000) and then buy a box that has only ever been a horsebox. Horsey owners look after them well, drive carefully (expensive cargo!) and maintain them in a suitable state for horses. You can often get a slightly larger box for less money than a 3.5 tonne because everyone wants to skip the HGV test!
 
Please dont get ANY transit for anything over 14.3! - they really do rock and sway......

Admittedly they are easy to drive but you get one ding in a rut at show and then they lean as if they are going over, big time, it wont do anything for your confidence or your horses.....

There are other 3.5T out there that are better value for money will last longer and wont sway.....dodge are good!!
 
I have a VW LT 35 with an ifor on the back, the VW's are a lot lower than a transits which makes the centre of gravity lower and the ramp less steep, mine also has the gates at the sides of the ramps which helps.

I can just about carry my 16.1 on her own and be within the load limit, she does wear a poll guard just in case (touch wood she has been fine).

I paid just over £3k for mine after a lot of hunting, my dad had to do a bit of welding to make the chassis sound, but the actual engine is now sound after a full service!

They are out there you just have to keep on looking!
 
Echo comments above about do your HGV test and get a bigger lorry, so glad I did! I had £5k to spend, ended up spending £1000 on HGV test and buying an old but sound Bedford TL for £3500 which left me with change for tax/insurance etc. Bluebell (the Bedford
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) has been fantastic so far, had her 18 months now, plating cost me £600 all told but worth it to have my own transport!
However I have friends who haven't wanted to do this and one had a VWLT35 which was only suitable for ponies but was very decent, the other has a Bedford CF2 which looks a bit ancient but does the job absolutely fine, and seems to run pretty well despite its considerable age!
I also know someone who had the transit with ifor box and the ranp was very steep .
 
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I love my box but I wouldnt want to put anything over 15hh in it. It does sway a bit as it is a lot higher than a trailer but I have a 14.1hh so its ideal and has never let me down. The back is an Ifor Williams on a Leyland Daf cab.
 
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