Newbuild 3.5t: how not to get ripped off?

[junglefairy]

I'm looking to buy a new build 3.5 tonne, however, I've no experience of buying or driving a 3.5t and so it's a bit of a minefield. I've heard there's lots of charlatans out there and I'm wondering how I avoid being ripped off.

Safety is far more important than style and I've found a builder local to me that does very reasonably priced conversions. I asked how they can do it so cheap and they've said it's because they don't paint the boxes, or do leather seats etc. as standard so can keep the costs down. Sounds very sensible and perfect for me.

How do I know whether this company (or any other) has well made safe boxes (can't see any reviews online of this company other than a handful on facebook)? I understand the risk of jumping the partition into the grooms area and so I'll have a solid full height partition put in.

 

[PeterNatt]

The issue being that there are a lot of 'chancers' out there building 3.5 ton lorries, many on unsuitable vehicles and using cheap construction methods which means that the horse container is not strong enough.
Get one built by a reputable company that builds them all the time.

 

[ester]

Are you on the 3.5t horsebox group on facebook? I would ask for experiences of your nearby builder on there . There are certainly some I would avoid having seen some of what they sell and I think they cut corners but plenty do a good job too

 

[humblepie]

My other half is a mechanic and there are some well known brands that he feels look nice but when you get to the build quality aren't that good. No particular suggestions as to where to check but try to find a good mechanic to check it out so mechanically but also safety wise for horse. Can you ask the manufacturers for details of people who have bought them to speak to?

 

[turnbuckle]

Not painting the cab and no fancy seats sounds like a very good start. But the bulkhead/cage is the critical bit. References would be good. Have a very careful walk round and see how any sharp edges and other stuff which might catch a fractious horse have been designed out. Will they put in a wide emergency exit rear door for you? Can they offer a collapsible breast bar?

Bit of a work around, but if there's a racing or rally car builder near to you, ask them to come and view one with you. They'll have a good feel for the quality of welds and general design....

Oh and rather than pay a deposit buy the chassis and keep the V5 until completion...

 

[junglefairy]

The issue being that there are a lot of 'chancers' out there building 3.5 ton lorries, many on unsuitable vehicles and using cheap construction methods which means that the horse container is not strong enough.
Get one built by a reputable company that builds them all the time.

Thanks, I suppose the difficulty I'm having is knowing whether a company is reputable...

 

[junglefairy]

Not painting the cab and no fancy seats sounds like a very good start. But the bulkhead/cage is the critical bit. References would be good. Have a very careful walk round and see how any sharp edges and other stuff which might catch a fractious horse have been designed out. Will they put in a wide emergency exit rear door for you? Can they offer a collapsible breast bar?

Bit of a work around, but if there's a racing or rally car builder near to you, ask them to come and view one with you. They'll have a good feel for the quality of welds and general design....

Oh and rather than pay a deposit buy the chassis and keep the V5 until completion...

Thanks for these tips and those from the other posters. I'll try this and the Facebook and reviews from other purchasers ideas.

 

[Bernster]

A general google search hasn't been that helpful for me before but I've found the best recommendations on previous threads on here tbh. Just from going from what I've seen on here, I'd say bloomfields, alexanders, Peper Harow, Kevin Parker, Owens, boss, trevett and smith, all seem to come out well although some are at the pricey end. I've had personal experience and would recommend both foxy twin and Thorpe horseboxes in the SE.

Research the bigger companies, check some past threads on here, and get any lorry checked by a reliable mechanic before you buy it. As for finding a good mechanic, a similar problem I'm afraid but again a google or hho search might help, or post in the regional boards on here. Fellow horsey friends will often have recommendations as well.

 

[PeterNatt]

Here is a list of manufacturers of 3.5 ton horseboxes:
Alexander Alex Brimelow (Founder)
Atacanter 01487 840448 (Theault) (Cambridgeshire)
Bloomfields Leisure Vehicles 01623 869779 07772 411 179
Bonnington Horseboxes 01509 852002
Boss Horseboxes 01352 73227
C & M Horseboxes 01427 788870 07866 568 155 (Lincolnshire)
Coastal Horseboxes 01745 338882
Courchevel 01322 228479
East Riding Horseboxes 01964 500 087 07932 046 805
Equicruiser Cliff Evans 01256 381 635
Equimark (Suffolk) 01379 870877 (Suffolk) Mark and Ali Finton
Equitrek 01484 852121 (Peugot)
Evolution Horseboxes 07773 069 994 (Blackpool FY4 4QU)
Foxy Twin (Recommended)
Galloper (Special Partition)01747 873901
G.C. Hortseboxes (Recommended)
Freddie Gower Gatwick
Gray Roberts 01793 854053
Hackney Trailers Ltd 01270 753680 www.hackneytrailers.co.uk
Haydon Horseboxes 01621 890 091 07855 820 295
Heathrow Horseboxes 07854 705995
I.C.E. Horseboxes
Ilswich Horse Transport 014732 55629 07850 253657
J M horseboxes 01772 690749 07717 362471
JSW Coachbuilders 01609 772449 www.jswhorseboxes.co.uk
Maneline Mark Ewen 01366 502254 www.manelinecoachworks,co.uk
ManeLine Steve Legg 01372 456 488 07776 305049
Marlborough Hunter 01704 823002 07786 372379
Missina Horseboxes (Trucksmith) 01884 839061 01884 33001 (Vauxhall)
Newmarket Elite Avoid like the plague
Oakley 01920 466781 www.oakleyhorseboxes.com
Olympic Horseboxes 01235 519400 www.olympiccoachbuilders.co.uk
Kevin Parkes
Peper Harow Horse Boxes 01483 416555 07973 329617 www.phhb.co.uk
Racemaster
George Smith Horseboxes 01980 620158
G C Smiths Ltd 01226 761 449 07961 801 700 (Fiat)
Staffordshire Horseboxes 01959 603 6035 (Jayne Sanson)
Stratford Horseboxes 0845 603 8243 wwwstratfordhorseboxes.co.uk
Tatton Horseboxes 01625 322 195
Theault (Atacanter) 01487 840448
Trucksmith See Missina Horseboxes 01884 839061 01884 33001 (Vauxhall)
True Leisure
Whittaker 01777 833221 www.whittakershorseboxes.com

 

[meesha]

When i had mine converted the guy showed me each stage of the build on other ones he was currently doing, he also took photos of mine as it was being done. V pleased with it, the only issue I have had is ramp needed redoing, it has leaked and rotted, had it done locally in heavier materials and resealed.

 

[Antw23uk]

I'm in the same boat OP .. its a minefield

 

[ElectricChampagne]

Me too, I'm looking for one nearly a year now and so frustrated by it all.

 

[ester]

At least less of a minefield with the internet, imagine trying to get reviews without it!

 

[PaddyMonty]

Perhaps I should start making them for a living

 

[ElectricChampagne]

Thats true E..

PM you'd probably do a far better job than some of the crap out there!

 

[PaddyMonty]

Thats true E..

PM you'd probably do a far better job than some of the crap out there!

I'm hurt. Have you not seen my self build? You cut me, you cut me deep!

 

[ElectricChampagne]

I'm hurt. Have you not seen my self build? You cut me, you cut me deep!

Oh no Sorry!!
I haven't, in my defense!

 

[PaddyMonty]

First you get one of these....

Then you cut some holes in it

Fit full height partition

Add loads of stuff including wider than standard ramp. Fully sealed top hinge, internal tack lockers etc whilst making sure there are no sharp edges anywhere.

Fit folded ali edging to the base exterior in case the horse ever kicks it

Spray it in multiple coats of acid etch, 2 pack primer, base coat and then lots of very expensive 2 pack lacquer to gloss and protect.

Add a few more fancy bits and you end up with

 

[ElectricChampagne]

When can you build Mine?

 

[milliepops]

PM I showed my OH your photos a few months ago and he's well up for it (and very capable), just have to find the right van

What payload did you manage to get on yours? Some of the vans you can buy seem to be pushing it BEFORE conversion.

 

[PaddyMonty]

When can you build Mine?

That is a question that gets asked a lot. When wife is out and about in it she is constantly asked who the manufacturer is. People are quite shocked when she tells them it's a home build.
Cost £8k to build including buying the van. Valued at £18,500. Wife wouldn't part with it for any money as we designed out all the things we felt were wrong in standard 3.5t boxes.

 

[PaddyMonty]

PM I showed my OH your photos a few months ago and he's well up for it (and very capable), just have to find the right van

What payload did you manage to get on yours? Some of the vans you can buy seem to be pushing it BEFORE conversion.

It is fun but dont penny pinch on material quality. Payload is just over 1100kg as base box is made from ali (light) and I used interlocking structures to provide strenght. The wing doors are made from 3mm ply either side with carbon fibre in the middle for strength. Every area of build I thought about weight saving.
The internal partition is light glassonite which is thin fiberglass each side of a honey comb mesh. Weights about 10% of normal wood/gf glassonite but the strength is in the breast box which is keyed in to the van structure.

 

[ElectricChampagne]

I wish I could do it myself!

 

[milliepops]

It is fun but dont penny pinch on material quality. Payload is just over 1100kg as base box is made from ali (light) and I used interlocking structures to provide strenght. The wing doors are made from 3mm ply either side with carbon fibre in the middle for strength. Every area of build I thought about weight saving.
The internal partition is light glassonite which is thin fiberglass each side of a honey comb mesh. Weights about 10% of normal wood/gf glassonite but the strength is in the breast box which is keyed in to the van structure.

I will pass it all on thanks! He knows what he's doing in terms of making other stuff but this would be a new adventure so all tips welcomed.

 

[PaddyMonty]

No idea where you live but welcome to come over and see mine, discuss construction and parts suppliers etc.

 

[milliepops]

S Wales/ Glos border so some distance away unfortunately, thanks for the offer though.

 

[ElectricChampagne]

I'm across the water too so too far Which I think is a huge part of why I am having such massive issues to get one..

7.5 tonne licence time I think.

 

[PaddyMonty]

7.5 tonne licence time I think.

They can have just as many problems but more costly to fix and run.

 

[ElectricChampagne]

They can have just as many problems but more costly to fix and run.

yeah I know, but was thinking of a smaller one built on an Iveco daily. I know someone that has a 6 tonne for sale which is immaculate and would be perfect.

I've already passed the the theory for it, so might as well keep going at this stage. it might give me something decent to keep me occupied over winter if nothing else.

 

[Antw23uk]

No idea where you live but welcome to come over and see mine, discuss construction and parts suppliers etc.

Can you build me one identical for the 8k please? Would love you forever, lol