opinions please...3.5ton or 7.5ton??

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scazza

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Hi im in a bit of dilemma!!! i am looking to buy a new horsebox...because im working on a budget do i go for a older 7.5ton or a younger 3.5ton horses have travelled both herringbone and rear facing so dont mind which,just wondering what your preferences are?? many thanks x
:confused:
 
It entirely depends on what you want to carry in it but you will get a lot more for your money if you buy a 7.5 tonner. If you are looking at carrying two horses don't bother considering a 3.5
 
3.5 ton boxes are generally more valuable now because of the license changes. They hold their value despite their age and general condition. When I was searching for my little 3.5 ton box, there were hundreds of 5.5 ton + boxes that were a fraction of the price and I even considered spending the money on an HGV license till I found my little box! Depends on how many horses you want to take? Mine can easily carry my 15.1 solid cob in it but I couldn't and wouldn't risk taking another horse that size only something like my little 12hh pony otherwise you will get caught out on being overweight!
 
If you only want to take one horse then a 3.5 tonne is much more manageable. If you want more than 1 horse or living space then 3.5 tonne won't be big enough - they only actually carry about 1 tonne or so of horse.
 
I've got a 3.5t but only every carry one horse at a time. If you've got two horses and want to take them both at the same time, I would go for a 7.5t. There are some lovely 5.5t or 6t out there which take a good payload though. They would be my first choice as they are still nice and compact but have the carrying capacity.
 
Just as an outside opinion, I see lots of post about which should I buy etc.
I think the most important question you should ask is "how much do I want to carry", as this will inevitably give you your answer.

It also comes to mind when you are buying a horsebox, and it is advertised as non "HGV carries three large horses" utter crap.

Ask any decent horsebox builder and they will always talk firstly about payload. It's what you need to carry which defines what you need, be it with a lorry or a trailer. Get the payload sorted and the rest is obvious.

Just an opinion no offence intended.
 
I own a 3.5t (shared with a friend) and I'm lucky enough that if going anywhere long distance or taking anyone my YO lends me her 7.5t (helps that I usually take her daughter so it's useful for her I can drive her lorry). But I can honestly say given the choice I'd always drive hers! I find my lorry lacking in power and I much prefer the confidence I get from driving a much bigger vehicle. On the smaller roads people tend to give a 7.5t lorry respect where as in my smaller one people don't seem care if they nearly run me off the road or make me brake suddenly. :mad: I'd have bought myself a 7.5t except the friend I bought with can't drive one, and at the time my YO didn't have a lorry so in hindsight I'd have not bothered buying my 3.5t and just paid to use my YO's instead. But the 3.5t is useful for quick little trips and can get down lanes the bigger one can't so living where I do it is useful.
 
Ballynoes said:
Just as an outside opinion, I see lots of post about which should I buy etc.
I think the most important question you should ask is "how much do I want to carry", as this will inevitably give you your answer.

It also comes to mind when you are buying a horsebox, and it is advertised as non "HGV carries three large horses" utter crap.

Ask any decent horsebox builder and they will always talk firstly about payload. It's what you need to carry which defines what you need, be it with a lorry or a trailer. Get the payload sorted and the rest is obvious.

Just an opinion no offence intended.
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There are plenty of 7.5 tonners that will legaly carry 3 big riding horses .. so its not always utter crap but I would always like to see them on a weigh bridge for myself as there are some noughty people who strip things
out then get them weighed!!!!!!
 
3.5t are generally more expensive than 7.5t because of the license restrictions. If you don't need living, one of the main reasons people want 7.5t, why not go for a 5-6t instead? Provided you pay attention to the payload it could be the best solution for you.
 
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