One horse - 7.5t or 3.5t box?

[lizziebell]

I currently have a 7.5t box which I adore, but I’m questioning the cost of running it. I use it once/ twice a week all year round and I rarely travel more than one horse. I love having my living space as somewhere to sit warm and dry ,and I do about 3 stay away shows a year.

I recently hired a 3.5t box to move a friends horse and was impressed with how easy it was around our narrow country lanes. It wasn’t one I would buy as the grooms area was too small to get changed in (or sit in) and was open to the horse area so everything got covered in hay. (I’m writing this whilst sat at a show in my lovely warm living of my 7.5t - it’s drizzling rain and I can see those around me with very short 3.5t boxes struggling to have anywhere to get out of the rain!)

But my husband questioned whether I would consider downsizing.

So for one horse only (16hh), what’s a sensible payload to look for in a 3.5t box?

For others who have downsized - do you regret that decision?

Is the cost of running a 3.5t considerably that much cheaper, or is it not worth it?

Thanks.

 

[sportsmansB]

I have a 3.5T with a decent space at the back and a full door to horse area (lots of room to get changed, store stuff, etc) and I wouldn't change it now. It does about 30MPG, the tax is £260 for the year, and I have had it 2 years and haven't had to do a thing to it (its on a 2006 chassis with 100k miles)
All horses travel well in it and it drives like a big car. If you only travel one then a payload of 1000kg is enough. You can even get a wee kitchen set up i the back if you aren't too worried about the weight with only having one horse.
Mine was approx £15k when I bought it, and its not lost much value either.
I wouldn't touch a van type one and do your research about builders and quality, but unless you do stayaway shows I think they are super handy, especially for quick trips to the vets etc.

 

[ihatework]

If I had the money I’d go for one of the 4.5T boxes, they are virtually identical to the 3.5T in terms of style and running costs but with a slightly extended day living. I agree that the ones open up to the storage area are a PITA.

I’ve got a local Bloomfield dealer who hires them and they are just super (even the 3.5T stud box is fully enclosed).

Problem is, compared to a 7.5T they are actually very expensive to purchase

 

[Bernster]

I’ve done 3 options now! For one horse, I’d opt for the 3.5t with closed living and some fit out in the living area. There are some with enough room for changing, sitting, basic sink and gas ring. It’s great in terms of easy to drive, park, access, maintenance. Enough payload for 1 horse but not really for 2. But they are expensive to buy. Hold their value fairly well though and sold it quickly to the first viewer.

The 7,5t was cheaper to buy, fine to run, but more than I needed and I much preferred driving the smaller ones. I also dont do stay always and if I do, I do b n b haha.

Have now got a 4.5t as wanted more payload and living. It’s new so haven’t tried it all out yet but it’s a great compromise between the two. Expensive to buy though!

 

[Hillpark]

What licence do you need for a 4.5t and what is the upkeep cost like?

I’ve done 3 options now! For one horse, I’d opt for the 3.5t with closed living and some fit out in the living area. There are some with enough room for changing, sitting, basic sink and gas ring. It’s great in terms of easy to drive, park, access, maintenance. Enough payload for 1 horse but not really for 2. But they are expensive to buy. Hold their value fairly well though and sold it quickly to the first viewer.

The 7,5t was cheaper to buy, fine to run, but more than I needed and I much preferred driving the smaller ones. I also dont do stay always and if I do, I do b n b haha.

Have now got a 4.5t as wanted more payload and living. It’s new so haven’t tried it all out yet but it’s a great compromise between the two. Expensive to buy though!

 

[Bernster]

What licence do you need for a 4.5t and what is the upkeep cost like?

I have an ‘old persons’ licence so can drive up to 7.5t. Otherwise you do need to pass a test I think, but i don’t know what the requiments are sorry.

I’m anticipating the same running costs as the 3.5t but too early to say. I have however noticed that it’s not as fuel efficient as my 3.5t which had very little weight on it. But I don’t use it that often so it’s not like it’s doing tons of miles a year. Still, whatever way you cut it, these are expensive parts of the kit!

 

[Louby]

Ive had both and went back to a 7.5t. I actually didnt like driving the 3.5t, I felt much safer and stability was much better in a 7.5t. I sold my massive 7.5t and downsized to a really well built 3.5t, then was lucky to find a really compact 7.5t, the size is perfect. I have a smaller living area and it is still stalled for 3 big horses. I think its 20ft long.
My insurance was more expensive for the 3.5t but MOTs are much cheaper. The 7.5t was half the price of the 3.5t. I really dont need a 7.5t but the inbetweenies are like hens teeth.

 

[Mildlander]

Following this with interest as I'm having a similar dilemma. I currently have an older (R reg) 6T Mercedes. Great for payload 1750kg, has a small living area which is ideal for the amount I do but I any travel 1 horse and it does feel bigger than I really need although at 20ft long it is neat and its getting a bit old now.
I would go for a newer 3.5/4.5T but I really like having the double wheel at the back for stability, grip in muddy lorry parks etc. Does anyone know if you can get a double rear wheel 3.5/4.5T option. I know it would compromise payload but I only travel 1 horse so not a particular issue

 

[Red-1]

I have had HGV, 7.5 and a 3.5 that we uprated to a 3.95 (so almost 4 T).

It is horses for courses I guess. When I had the HGV we were doing 3 day events and I loved the ride it gave us all over the country, the blown air heating, the fact that I could load anything up and have no issues with weight. I loved the microwave too, as well as a spacious toilet!

The 7.5 was when I was just doing travelling to about 4 hours each way, great for the motorway, gas rings for cups of coffee and bacon, leather seating and a wardrobe for changing. Still had a toilet, better on fuel and a thoroughly nice drive.

Then I hurt my back, and suddenly everything was a faff. The ramp was easy, but not so easy with a bad back. The steps were too steep. The fuel economy was not quite good enough and the clutch was a pain.

I got the 3.5 tonne, but fitted it ouit so there is only one huuuuge horse compartment and the other (smaller) size is half massive tack locker accessed from the outside, and half toilet/rug store etc accessed from the living.

The living is small, 3 small seats and a wardrobe. The box is a stallion box, so bars at the top into the horse area, but not too ad for hay as it is only the top 18ins that is bars, the rest is solid.

It is like a Tardis TBH. If I am cold we simply sit in the drivers area. If not we sit in the back. It is just so easy to use. does 30mpg. Had it from new, needed nothing yet (touches wood). It is so quick to pack as it is all so low, no climbing steps. The ramp is 2 finger operation, so light.

If I had to choose a motorway vehicle I guess a bigger one would be better, but this does do motorway for the couple of hours max that we now do. It would do further but the cab is not as spacious, the ride not as solid feeling. It is perfect for me now, but would not have been when we were doing bigger and further comps. It also fits into car parks, arrow gateways, narrow streets etc.

 

[PonyclubmumZ]

I drove a 3.5T and was shocked about how much I could feel the pony move in the back. We settled on a 6T as it drives nicely and has all the creature/groom comforts that a PC mum needs!

 

[Thea]

I Have a 3.5 ton horse box and only one horse. Previous to that i had a trailer so not had the experience of owning a 7.5 ton but have traveled/stayed away in a friends one. I do take a friend with her pony with me occasionally in mine as all the living bits we have for staying away are removable so i only put them in when we stay away with one horse. Payload is 1 ton unladen so plenty of allowance for what i carry and i do pack light, we have a weighbridge at the yard so i'm constantly checking i'm legal.

I do love my 3.5 ton, i have one that has a little grooms area in the back that has shelving and seats that fold out into a double bed. It is a stallion box so fully enclosed with a door into the horse area so no mess in the back. Mine also has space above the luton which can sleep one person, we have a light mattress that we add in there for staying away but it is insanely hot up there to sleep in the summer so i prefer to sleep in the grooms bit and store all my tack in the luton. The rest of the box is lovely and airy strangely enough, must be because it is enclosed and no windows or the fan can circulate air to that bit. Its not brand new so wasn't that expensive to purchase. There is enough room to get out of the wet in mine but only for two people and a dog max, any more and its just too claustrophobic for me.

Costs me same as a van in MOT/service once a year and £300 to insure for anyone over 25 to drive with breakdown cover for the horse to be picked up and lorry towed away. Its not cost me much to keep on the road..mostly repairs where I've not been careful enough and have smacked it off trees on the side of the road! £30 gives me half a tank of fuel and seems to last for ages, just as economical as my car.

I would love a 7.5 ton as the space is so much easier to get yourself and horse ready in wet/cold weather even with a second horse/rider on board but cant justify the running cost when i don't stay away at shows that often and am able to slum it in the 3.5 ton box i currently have. We attach it to hook up for the tv and heaters in winter when staying away, we just use a portable camping gas cooker and teeny tiny fridge so don't need anything built in that adds to weight.

Ponyclubmumz is right about feeling the horse move, mine is a rear facing and although the bulkhead has been double strengthened and i have traveled a horse who threw an almighty tantrum on there i wouldn't have a 3.5 ton with a bad traveler as it isn't nice feeling the horse fully throw its toys out of the pram behind you whilst you are driving at motorway speed.

 

[Bernster]

Following this with interest as I'm having a similar dilemma. I currently have an older (R reg) 6T Mercedes. Great for payload 1750kg, has a small living area which is ideal for the amount I do but I any travel 1 horse and it does feel bigger than I really need although at 20ft long it is neat and its getting a bit old now.
I would go for a newer 3.5/4.5T but I really like having the double wheel at the back for stability, grip in muddy lorry parks etc. Does anyone know if you can get a double rear wheel 3.5/4.5T option. I know it would compromise payload but I only travel 1 horse so not a particular issue

Bloomfield do a 5t eventer which has two rear wheels and looks like an elongated 3.5t. Was too long for me. And obv blooming expensive. It does however have optics for your spirits haha.

Like Thea said, the 3.5t is not comfy with a bad traveller. If they kick in this rear facing ones, it’s right behind your head. Never had that issue though, at least not more than once (didn’t take that horse again).

 

[flying_high]

Ive a 5tonne which has 2 tonnes payload. Works well for me. And wasn't expensive. They do come up.

 

[Hack4fun]

My horses are large - 17.1 to approaching 19hh. I don't have a box but have looked at both 7.5 and 3.5 and those in between. My largest horse travelled OK in a 3.5 to my surprise. Payload worries me even in 7.5te boxes if I was to take more than one horse. Many only have 1700kg for fuel, passengers, tack, feed, horses etc, and when one horse can weigh 800kg there is not enough for a second horse. The idea of a 4.5te box (approx) appeals. I don't need overnight living, but welcome the extra capacity.

 

[lizziebell]

If I had the money I’d go for one of the 4.5T boxes, they are virtually identical to the 3.5T in terms of style and running costs but with a slightly extended day living. I agree that the ones open up to the storage area are a PITA.

I’ve got a local Bloomfield dealer who hires them and they are just super (even the 3.5T stud box is fully enclosed).

Problem is, compared to a 7.5T they are actually very expensive to purchase

It was a Bloomfield stud box I hired. Really liked the drive and how it handled our narrow country lanes. I have looked at 4.5t, but they are like hens teeth and my budget is about £10k short of buying one new build ! I’m also indecisive about whether I want the hassle of the annual test (?)

What licence do you need for a 4.5t and what is the upkeep cost like?

If you’re ancient like me then it’s covered by your licence, if you’re younger than anything over 3.5t is the the C1 (which then allows you to drive up to and including 7.5t). Unlike a 3.5t which is a normal MOT, a 4.5t is subject to an annual test just like a 7.5t

Ive had both and went back to a 7.5t. I actually didnt like driving the 3.5t, I felt much safer and stability was much better in a 7.5t. I sold my massive 7.5t and downsized to a really well built 3.5t, then was lucky to find a really compact 7.5t, the size is perfect. I have a smaller living area and it is still stalled for 3 big horses. I think its 20ft long.
My insurance was more expensive for the 3.5t but MOTs are much cheaper. The 7.5t was half the price of the 3.5t. I really dont need a 7.5t but the inbetweenies are like hens teeth.

My current 7.5t is not much bigger so is fairly compact, but I still think it’s more than I need, and I’d like to avoid the costs associated with a bigger lorry. Even though it’s not very old, and I haven’t had many problems with it, it still seems to cost an arm and a leg to get through it’s annual test.