On from the 3.5 lorries post..... the converted van boxes - any good?

[Stenners]

I would love a 3.5T but realistaicaly I'll not be able to afford one! Any recommendations on the van type boxes that are often converted to carry horses? My friend had one and it was lovely but it was knocking on a bit!

I don't even know prices or where to start with one of them!

 

[humblepie]

Each one will vary so much that it depends on the vehicle, how it has been converted, how it is has been maintained, how much rust, how the floor is etc. My OH is a mechanic and he had one in to service that looked really strange but he said it was one of the better condition ones he had seen.

 

[jnb]

I had one converted by a 7.5 ton manufacturer in 2006, at that time he had never done one.
He was offered £10k (for a £2.5k donor vehicle) before it was even painted.
He now mainly does 3.5 ton vehicles.
I used mine for 10 years till I lost my beloved cob and sold it 10 years later for more than it cost me for van, conversion, very nice paint job, and a new engine (turbo blew, taking out the engine!)
Loved it. But too many memories of my cob, so sold it, wish I hadn't!

 

[catembi]

I love mine! So easy to drive & cheap to run compared with the 7.5 tons I've had previously. I am very happy to take it anywhere & go out n about alone.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If you do get one just avoid the ones where both of the back doors still open, as sometimes it looks like an inviting escape route to a horse and they get stuck over the breastbar.

 

[Stenners]

I don't really even know what I'd search for or where to look or any good makes!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I don't really even know what I'd search for or where to look or any good makes!

I don't know how much you want to spend but are you thinking of something this shape?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334295926749?hash=item4dd59707dd:g:~9gAAOSwK4JhwcYa
If so, that could be worth looking at with a mechanic that specialises in welding. Looking at the MOT history it had a lot of welding done in 2019 to get it through the MOT and has passed one twice since then with only the brakes as an advisory which is usually a sign they did a good job of it. ETA: It's not worthh £5400 but may be worth bidding on it

If you have more than that to spend, this one's MOT history doesn't look too bad - https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.134783731.364046832.1642681964-945557162.1639388656

your best bet though would be to join the Facebook 3.5t for sale and have a look on there, they seem to be better prices than on Ebay. Always look at the MOT history, check especially for an corrosion, and if they say they have welded it make sure that it has been done well. Make sure they have a reinforced bulkhead (between horse area and driving area) as you don't want 600kg of horse on the back of your head in an emergency stop situation. Check service history, you ideally want it done every year, check payload is documented otherwise they could just be making it up. Drive it and check for any knocks and bangs (ideally take a savvy OH or a mechanic with you, you can pay them for this by the hour).